Dear Parents and Guardians,

The school and the boarding house are generally a hive of activity and whilst we all need a
break from the hectic schedule it is nice to have the boys back and for the place to come
alive again.

For many of the boys the holidays were a very busy time. We had a large number of
boarders form part of the 34 strong contingent that went to Melbourne as part of the very
successful football trip. Kanichi Shioji, Jacob Holding and Jack OʼRafferty travelled to
Europe as part of the History tour. We had Sam Gardiner travel to Sydney for some Drama
workshops with the school as well as representing the school in sailing. Alec McCallum
sailed in and won the State Championship, I think in the 125 Class. In addition to this
many of our senior boys spent a significant amount of time preparing for their upcoming
exams. It was however great to welcome them all back and I commend the boys for the
general way they commenced the term.

A hectic schedule of social events confronts us at the start of this term. The Year 10 social
was last Friday night and the Year 11 dance was on Saturday night, both of which were in
the schoolʼs gymnasium and the Year 12 formal is on this Saturday. I was in Broome at the
North West Expo so unfortunately missed both of last weekendʼs events, but I have seen
the photos of the Year 11 boys and their partners (kindly taken by Mr Foster and Mrs
OʼHare) and they looked terrific! I have uploaded the photos onto the Mobile Me website
for you to look at and download http://gallery.me.com/geoffguggenheimer/100007
Unfortunately the event was soured a little by a number of boys who decided to bring
alcohol into the boarding house. When it was discovered, the boys had their leave
cancelled, some investigation by Mr Foster and Mr Bailey followed and as a consequence
of their actions seven boys were suspended from the boarding house and one was
suspended from the school and his position in the school is being reviewed.

I have no doubt the boys are aware of the stupidity of their actions and that breaches of
this nature will not be tolerated. Regardless of what happens in social situations outside
the boarding community, the purchase, consumption or possession of alcohol are serious
offences and we appreciate the support of the parents of the boys involved.
I hope that when the boys return to the community that they will work hard to re-establish
the trust that has been lost and they we can move forward.

I have included as attachments the Term 2 recreation program compiled by Tom Shalders.
Copies have also been put on the schoolʼs website. Please remember that it is only a
guide and that from time to time it may change as a result of things beyond our control.
This weekend for example Aquinas and St Brigidʼs have cancelled their social and bush
dance respectively at the last minute. Tom has put together some alternative activities
and I thank him for his efforts. I hope that your son(s) will liaise with you about their
participation in any of the events and also about securing leave when necessary.

At the start of the term we welcomed three new boys to the Walters Residential
Community. Jamie Armstrong-Warr (brother of Sam –ʼ10) joins us in Year 10 and Justin
Clarke and Joshua Geldenhuys, also in Year 10 join us on exchange from Michaelhouse in
Sth Africa. With the mid term break only 3 weeks away I would be delighted if some of our
Year 10 parents might be have some dialogue with their sons about the possibility of
taking our two visitors on leave. This need not just be during mid term it could be any
weekend at all.
As always please do not hesitate to contact me or your sonʼs Year Group Co-Ordinator if
you have anything you would like to discuss.

Kind regards,
Geoff Guggenheimer
Director of Walters Residential Community