From the Deputy Head Master – Summer Hill
It has been another very ‘Trinity’ week. The Year 12 HSC and IBD Art Exhibition on Tuesday evening showcased the extraordinary talent (nurtured by the quality teaching and mentoring of my colleagues) of your sons. The thoughtfulness and reflection that was evident in their Artists’ Statements showed a depth and perception that belied their age. Likewise, the Music Composition Concert the same evening. That was followed Wednesday evening by the Year 8 Course Selection Evening where the young men and families of the Middle School came out in large numbers to hear about the smorgasbord of options for their Year 9 course of study and to do the gallery walk of 25-Hour courses. Again, I was struck by their maturity, thoughtfulness, and enthusiasm for their academic programme.
Thursday was the House Swimming Championships, which was an absolute advertisement for the benefit of House and School spirit. Congratulations to Hilliard House on their win this year. And, finally, on Friday we had our Winter Sport Presentation Evening and Dinner to celebrate and reminisce about the season past, to acknowledge excellence, and to revel in the camaraderie that, in my experience, only comes with participation in team sport and that sense of belonging and contributing to something greater than oneself.
I would like to take this opportunity to extend my very best wishes to the young men of Year 12 as they commence their HSC and IBD Trial Examinations in the newly refurbished Bishop Chambers House. I have visited the new venue on a number of occasions now and it is quiet, bright, and temperature controlled. The short stroll down will hopefully be a nice way to decompress, and the School will provide a little something for breakfast down in the Chapel Way on the first few days, both to encourage Year 12 to park on or close to the campus, and to acknowledge, albeit in a very low key manner, the opening of the new Examination Centre.
May I encourage you to remind your son to be considerate of the neighbours and members of the public as they stroll to and from the Centre along the relatively narrow footpath on Prospect Road. May I also remind you to remind your son that he will still be required to be well groomed (although he may wear his Year 12 jersey, without blazer, to and from his examinations if he so chooses) and cleanshaven, and that we will provide a fresh razor if he turns up with designer stubble.
Finally, it was very enjoyable to watch a livestream of the Australian Men’s Youth Team playing Brazil in the FINA World Championships in Belgrade last night. Thomas Rathbone 12Ke played very well in a good win for Australia. A replay of the game can be seen here (Tom is No. 12 and the Australian Team is introduced about halfway through the video).
Bradley Barr | Deputy Head Master – Summer Hill
