It’s time to pack away the winter uniforms and bring out the shorts and socks. A warm welcome back to everyone for the last term of the year. I hope you’ve all enjoyed the two weeks of holidays, relaxing and enjoying a bit of a break from all the hustle of school life. Now it is that time again to ease back into our academics, co-curriculars and other routine commitments. Summer co-curriculars have now commenced, with trainings for cricket, basketball, dragon boating and more now in effect. Taking up a new co-curricular in the off-season is a great way to stay in shape, meet new friends and enjoy all the sunshine the summer season has to offer. Co-curriculars are also great for balancing out your academic load, it’s a good way to take a short break from your studies.
During the holidays, a few of our senior students volunteered their first week of holidays to help with Edmund Rice Camps NSW on their annual Tuross head camp. Edmund Rice Camps NSW is a community-based organisation that provides recreational holiday getaway experiences for disadvantaged children between the ages of 5 and 15 years. The boys were warmly greeted by Emily Banks and her team from Sydney on Sunday the 29th of September at the college. The team ventured out to The Pines at Tuross, where they began their orientation and training day. On Monday, the kids arrived and were very eager to introduce themselves and have fun. The following days were filled with exciting activities which included multiple visits to the beach, lots of sports activities, masterchef cook-offs, a fishing expedition, just dance competitions, riddle games and much more. The energy levels were through the roof throughout the whole week, which left our boys tired but fulfilled. By Friday, everyone was tired but all so very keen for another day, however it was the day to say our goodbyes to everyone and head home. Once again, we would like to thank Edmund Rice Camps NSW for this amazing opportunity.
Term four marks the home stretch of our schooling year of 2019, which bears with it all the final assessments for the semester as well as the excitement around the conclusion of the year and the fast-approaching festive season. It can be easy to get caught up in all the hype of term four, which may mean we might start to lose a bit of focus on our deadlines and commitments. It is important to remember that we still have plenty of assessments and exams to keep track of, a reminder to ensure that we are keeping track of all our upcoming assessments and studying for our exams. If you do require any assistance, do not hesitate to visit the library for some after school tutoring from Tuesdays to Thursdays, 3:25-5pm. There are a broad range of teachers and senior students eager to help you out with your assignments. All it takes is just the little bit of extra effort and consistency, don’t be afraid to lend out a helping hand to anyone who you may see struggling. Together we can finish the year strong as a community with a vibrant spirit and a strong character.
Symon Refuerzo (College Captain)