Year 10: Autumn Term 2019
Autumn has been and gone and winter has certainly arrived. While the rains arrived a bit later than usual, we had our wettest June for a very long time. This weather and lack of sun can have significant effects on our levels of vitamin D, and sense of well-being. Being able to recharge over the 3-week break is important.
Adjusting the Reins
It is normal for teenagers to push boundaries to develop independence. It is also the parents and carers job to push back to ensure there are some safety barriers along the way to developing maturity. In my experience it takes young men several years to find the right balance. No doubt there is greater freedom in the “Big House” relative to the Year 9 House, but oversight is still needed in order to ensure a sustainable growth. For instance, I encourage Year 10s to develop the confidence to use public transport, however I urge them to carry their phones and ring if they are delayed or something goes wrong.
Exam Prep
Recently the boys sat their Year 10 exams. It was impressive to see Professor Darcy O’ Halloran lecture to his peers about the deconstruction of a novel. I have read that students who spend time teaching what they’ve learned go on to show better understanding and knowledge retention than students who simply spend the same time re-studying. While I was generally pleased with the Year 10s approach to revision in the lead up to these exams, I do question what could be achieved if every prep time was fully utilised, not just in the lead up to exams.
Tomorrow Man
Recently we had third in the series of Tomorrow Man workshops which aim to get you men to challenge the thinking about strong male stereo types and hopefully make better men. The first and second of these workshops was in the summer term. The first went well, but the second not so well, and I wondered whether the Year 10s were sufficiently mature enough to handle these conversations. In the third session however, the presenter made it clear that as the male of the species when it comes to having deep or awkward conversations, we tend to go quiet or make a joke out of it. To his credit the presenter held the boys to account and did not accept flippant answers. The boys were consequently slowly becoming more willing to have open and serious conversations. The group as a whole were noticeably more tolerant and more supportive of each other.
Bib Track
Earlier in the term the Year 10s had the opportunity to walk the next section of the Bibbulmun track. It was during this time the boys passed the halfway point of the track. While the numbers taking this opportunity were lower than in past years when I visited the group at Donnelly River Camp, they were in good form and had bonded as a group. The scenery was spectacular, and it was evident that the boys are now physically stronger and are increasingly proud of their achievement.
Winter Sports
As the autumn term comes to a close, we are over halfway through the winter sports programme. As I coach the 2nd XV rugby team I have seen a fair bit of the Year 10 rugby team, and both George Purser and Ben Nixon are having strong seasons and adding a bit of country steel into a team that has too many day students. Kye McCreery is making his mark as a hockey goalkeeper and seems to be getting a couple of games for both his club and his school each week, while Terry Zhou is training with the 1st and 2nd Badminton squad. The majority of the boarders play Football, however. Brenton Macauley, James Holtham, Muddy Sgro, and Raquell bin Rashid are key players in the undefeated Year 10 A side, while there are another six or so boarders in both the Year 10Bs and 10 Cs. The 10 A’s are a talented team and a competitive one to break into, but I regularly challenge the boys by asking, what do you have to do to improve, so you can play in the 1st team next year or the year after. I was very impressed watching the Singaporean import, Adriel Roblin, who played Football in his first term in Australia for the C team. He plays in the forward pocket (well up front anyway) and has become a regular goal scorer.
Year 10 Rec
In Year 10, recreational activities are more random. As boys develop more independence there is an increased reluctance to commit to recreational activities has led to fewer activities been taken up and fewer opportunities offered. James Holtham has shown initiative this term to liaise with Mr Stretch, to promote some recreational activities. I would like to promote the Presbyterian Ladies’ College Year 10 social on Friday 2 August 2019 at the Cafeteria at Presbyterian Ladies’ College, which will be the main the Year 10’s major social for the year. Parents should have received a letter or email about this on or about the 11th June.
Community Service
I have encouraged the Year 10s to take up volunteering opportunities as part of the community service when they arise. I commend the six boys who took up the opportunity to volunteer to be waiters at the recent Scotch Boarders dance. The ability to show a commitment to community service looks very good on a curriculum vitae.
In conclusion I wish all the boys and their families an enjoyable and well-earned break.