MS Residence: Home Away From Home – Kim Whetters
Another term has slipped by. It is hard to believe that we are more than halfway through the year already. As I write these few lines it is bucketing down outside so I do hope that some of this rain will reach the properties of our farming families
The boys have been kept busy away from school this term with a bunch of fun activities including trips to Scitech, Cockburn Ice Skating, Latitude Trampoline Park, Inflatable World, and Optus Stadium to watch the mighty Freo Dockers!
The year7s went on Bib-Track and the year 8s to Moray camp this term which slowed the boys down for a day or two afterwards. They have also enjoyed movie nights and socials during the term with the girls from St Hilda’s, PLC and St Mary’s.
Winter Community Sport has kept the boys active after school during the week and on weekends. Participation in these sporting activities provides quality time away from the boarding house. A big thank you to all the parents who assist with transport to and from the various sporting venues. Aside from physical activity, Community Sport plays a significant role in the boy’s personal and social development.
It’s been a rather bad year for the flu and the boarding house has been impacted with more than the usual number of cold and flu episodes this term. As a result, and also with boys attending general medical appointments, cooking classes have been less frequent. The boys have however still managed to enjoy making mini quiches, Vietnamese beef cups, cinnamon twirls, orange sunshine muffins and scones.
Afternoon tea is always popular and is a time for the boys to mingle and talk about what happened at school that day. Some new healthy additions to the daily offerings such as hummus and guacamole dip served with fresh vegetables and even mushrooms have been very well received… A variety of my home-made soups to stave off the winter chill remain a firm favourite with some boys regularly coming back for seconds.
At the In-house Tuesday BBQ dinners, this term our boys have been joined by the year 9s and on occasion, the year 12s have dropped in too. This provides a great opportunity to share experiences with the wider boarding community.
Before concluding, I would like to mention that recently we walked together as a group to Upperhand Burgers in Swanbourne for an evening meal away from the boarding house. I could not have been more proud of the boys as their manners towards the Restaurant staff and their general behaviour was outstanding. It felt like we were one big family out to dinner together and it was a very special evening.
Thank you for entrusting your son’s care into our hands. Have a safe and relaxing holiday break. I look forward to seeing the boy’s back next term.