Blair Clan – Week 5, Spring Term 2021
Spring Term Mid-Term Update
Spring term has started with a flurry, and we are now only three and a half weeks away from the end of 2021. Week one saw our year 13 (year 12 2021) boys celebrate their official time at Scotch with House and Boarding Dinners, Final Assembly and March Out. We ushered in our “new” Year 10, 11 and 12 students and the responsibilities and privileges that go with those year groups. Our official student leaders (Tyler Messina and Kody Waters) have stepped into their roles with great energy. And we have had boys out on Bib Track (I spent 6 days with the Year 11’s this last week), I have returned to find very few of the Year 13’s left….
Here’s what your sons have been up to in boarding:
New Year 10
- We welcomed Kai Allan (Toodyay) and Jasper Good (Manjimup) into Blair Clan. The boys have been made most welcome and have really added to this year group.
- Boys enjoyed Recreation activities:
- Cottesloe Beach with PLC on Friday 15th October
- Bounce with St. Hilda’s on Friday 22nd October
- School (not boarding) Social @ MLC on Friday 29th October
- Halloween themed dinner on Sunday 31st October
- Driving Range @ Wembley Golf Course on Saturday 6th November
- Boys completed the Swamp Oak to Harris Dam leg (5 days, 95km) of the Bibbulmun Track from Sunday17th to Thursday 21st October. The boys have only one more compulsory walk before the Bib Track becomes optional. The next leg will see them go past the halfway point from Kalamunda to Albany.
New Year 11
- Boys have begun their final courses of study with a vast array of choice, covering International Baccalaureate, ATAR and the Alternative Academic Pathway (AAP). I am fully supportive of boys choosing courses that are enjoyable and challenging to them, individual choices are important as is each boy achieving at their “own” best.
- Many of the boys have started their Work Placements as part of their Instep/Certificate courses. A fantastic opportunity for them to learn hands on skills and experience the requirements of “full-time” employment for one day a week.
- Boys enjoyed the following Recreation activities:
- Cottesloe Beach with PLC on Friday 15th October
- Bounce with St. Hilda’s on Friday 22nd October
- Halloween themed dinner on Sunday 31st October
- Driving Range @ Wembley Golf Course on Saturday 6th November
- The boys have continued on with their “Tomorrow Man” program, completing Module 3 (The Man and the Mask), Module 4 (Men Choose) and Module 5 (Showing Up). I encourage you to speak to your son about what they are experiencing within the program. They will complete one more module this term and will have four left before the end of 2022 to complete the program.
- Harrison Hammond, Myles Ross and Sam Thompson have chosen to continue on their Bib Track journey in the hope of becoming End to Enders. I, along with Amber Flynn, accompanied them and three other boys completing the Northcliffe to Palings Rd (Boarding House) leg (6 days, 126.2km) of the Bibbulmun Track from Sunday 5th to Friday 12th November. This is the longest journey the boys will do in terms of km’s. These boys now have only three more legs (18 days and 327.1km’s total), along the beautiful southern coastline to reach Albany in Summer Term 2023.
New Year 12
- Boys enjoyed Recreation activities:
- Driving Range @ Wembley Golf Course on Saturday 23rd October
- Halloween themed dinner on Sunday 31st October
- Driving Range @ Wembley Golf Course on Saturday 6th November
- The boys have continued on with their “Tomorrow Man” program, completing Module 3 (The Man and the Mask), Module 4 (Showing Up) and Module 5 (Intimacy). I encourage you to speak to your son about what they are experiencing within the program.
- The boys attended my house for a BBQ dinner on Friday 5th November. The second time these boys have been guests at our place. Some great conversations
- Sam McGinniss, Tyler Messina, Ollie Miller, Oscar Rogers and Kody Waters completed the Palings Rd (Boarding House) to Northcliffe leg (6 days, 126.2km) of the Bibbulmun Track from Sunday 5th to Friday 12thNovember. The boys were accompanied by Mr. Michael Ninkov and Mr. Sean Mecham. This is the longest journey the boys will do in terms of km’s. The boys who will be end to enders now have only the last leg (7 days and 122.9km total) Peaceful Bay to Albany to complete, finishing on Saturday 5th March 2022.
13 (Leavers 2021)
- I would like to start by thanking all the boys for being so welcoming to me in my new role.
- Special Thanks top James Holtham in his role as Clan Leader (Vice-Captain of Boarding). Not an easy role, but Jimmy has preserved through adversity (broken collarbone) and tried hard to lead by example.
- The final Boarding Dinner was a great night, it was nice to see so many family members present.
- I would like to start by thanking all the boys for being so welcoming to me in my new role.
- Well done to the remaining WACE & IB boys who have been going about their business with dedication over the last 5 weeks. Best wishes for the future!
PSA Sport
- Congratulations to:
- Jaezari Wynne who made his 1st V Basketball debut against Guildford in the opening round of the season, scoring 20 points.
- We have had plenty of boys filling the various sports, with many playing in 2nd’s teams for Basketball, Cricket, Tennis and Water Polo as well as many boys training and competing in the Swimming team and Rowing crews.