Dear Parents and Guardians,

It has been a really positive start to the final term of 2009 for our Year 10 boarders. First I would like to welcome Hamish Dunbar-Tapp and Kanichi Shioji into Boarding for the remainder of the year. We also welcome three exchange students from schools in South Africa- Tom Von Zahn from Bishop's School, Cameron and Travis Swart from Kearsney School. What a great experience for these boys and it has been pleasing to see the warm welcome that our boys have given them. The boys all returned in high spirits and have adjusted to their room changes accordingly. This will be a busy term for the boys but it also will be over very quickly considering they are all on Venture in Week 6.

The boys have remained focused academically and it is important that this continues to the end. It has been a tendency of Year 10s in the past to waiver once they have chosen their subjects for the following year but as yet this has not been the case for the boarders. We have had some outstanding results this year and this may lead to some boys receiving prizes at the final assembly.

Prior to, and over the holidays, some of our boys achieved great success in variety of fields. Brendan Pauley with his High Distinction in the Australian Science Competition, Hugo Smith, who dedication to his Lacrosse saw him compete and win the national title for the WA Southern Braves and Lachlan Watts who was awarded the prize for the top Year 10 cadet in the School.

On the sporting field the boys have taken on Wesley and Aquinas in the last two weeks. The boys are now involved in senior teams which is giving them a taste of this level of competition before Term 1 2010. The rowing club looks strong again this year and Steve Saunders is very buoyant about the upcoming season. The cricket season has started well with some very pleasing results. Congratulations to Dominic Hird who played First XI on Saturday. Our basketballers have been competitive but will need to work hard over the summer. Water Polo continues to be very strong and so does the swimming programme in general.

In regards to the upcoming Venture, the boys are excited and nervous about the experience. Many seem well prepared already which is fantastic and I encourage parents to be proactive in seeking extra information about gear for the trip. I have four year's experience on the trip and will be able to answer any questions that you wish to ask. Great to see the boys wearing their boots to school to make sure they are worn in before the start. The groups have been organised and they will have their first official meeting this Friday.

The Year 12s finish this week with the Valedictory Dinner on Tuesday night. They have been a little active at night over the last week but we hope that this activity finishes and their focus returns to study and exams. The Year 10s should be commended in the manner in which they have not engaged in silly behaviour and I hope this continues this week.

Please feel free to email or ring regarding any issues that you would like to discuss over the coming weeks.

Kind Regards

David Bourne