Blair Clan – Week 8, Summer Term 2021
Dear Parents of Blair Clan Boarders,
Well it’s been a whirlwind start for me, and no doubt for you all as well.
- Tonight at our Boarder’s Assembly we celebrated Chinese Lantern Celebration, the return of the supreme, the last day of the Spring festival. We had a magnificent feast, including home made dumplings, noodles, beef stir-fry, pork stir-fry and vegetables in chilli & ginger. We welcomed the Perth based families for our Chinese boarders.
- The Year 12s had their school ball two weekends ago, and we didn’t quite have all the Blair boys in attendance (suit malfunction for Terry Zhou, and somehow Kye McCreery missed the photo), but I’d like to congratulate all the boys on their ability to “scrub up” in particular Jack Zhang with his outstanding suit!
- Last week I had the pleasure of being with the Year 9 boys on their Rottnest Camp. This is an important time for boys in their new houses with their new house heads to bond together as a group. All the boys had a great time, the weather was great and by all accounts they had a great teacher for the Ecology sessions!
- The Year 9s have the next leg of the Bibbulmun track coming up on March 21st which I will be walking with the boys. I am meeting with Mr Rhys Edwards tomorrow and will forward some more information to year 9 parents on Friday.
- We are trying to be crystal clear with access to mobile phones.
- All Boys must hand their phone in Sunday-Thursday BEFORE the 6.45pm Bell (for Roll Call and Meetings). Failure to do this will result in their mobile being confiscated for 24hrs. Then the year 9-11 boys have a time they need to hand their phone in before bed. We hope that they get the message about timelines and deadlines sooner rather than later. Late is late, this also applies to times to be in rooms.
- I will be sending an e-mail during the Term 1 Holidays outlining ways you can support your son to ensure that their mobile phone use is at agreed upon levels (between you and your son) based on recommendations.
- We have seen the boys use the academic tutors (Mon-Thurs) in a much more time efficient way recently, and with the number of assessments (Yr 11 & 12 Exams early next term) and OLNA coming up, this has been important.
- My constant message to the boys is that “Asking for help is a sign of strength, not a sign of weakness”
- Year 12 boys would’ve also received an email from Mrs Katie Hobbs with details about how to access OSC Tutors (which is free)
- The Residence runs Academic Workshops in the Residence
- Last night we had a fire alarm. This was not planned but it was important that we run a drill earlier in the year. The drill was done well with all boys gathering on the sacred turf (rugby field) with rolls taken and boys accounted for. Mr Hales and two other boarding mentors checked every room, common space, toilets etc to ensure all boys were out, and this was completed in very quick time as the room locks have been removed.
- With PSA Summer Sport nearing its end, Winter Sport is starting to ramp up and the boys will no doubt be busy with Community Sport as well. Please can you make sure ALL Weekend Leave is in by Thursday Night, so I can approve every Friday morning.
Many thanks
Andy