Published on: 21 October 2021

  • Principal’s Parade
  • 50 years of Kooringal
  • Senior School Art Exhibition
  • Mental Health Week
  • New Strings Program

Last Friday the Principal’s Parade by our Cadets was held on the Senior School oval in glorious weather. The boys were extremely well presented and successfully delivered marching routines in all of their formations. The night of celebration that followed involved the parents of the boys and was a wonderful way to conclude the program. See here for pictures of both events.

The School’s Outdoor Education Centre Kooringal, which means ‘a place by the water’, turns 50 this year. Since it opened, Kooringal has contributed to the personal growth of more than thirty thousand boys and in 2021 welcomes boys in Year 4 and then every year until Year 10. This year, in conjunction with its turning 50, a new logo has been designed. The new design features the symbol of the Red Tail Black Cockatoo, a dominant species at Kooringal, with its feathers been found over the past decade in and around the property. You can see the new logo here. I speak to many boys every day and without fail, they all love going to Kooringal and have only positive memories and a desire to return. I am sure this has a lot to do with the programs created and delivered by Director, Ryan Myles and his team and the simple fact that all things happen under the sun or stars, ensuring all boys have a direct personal connection with nature in ways that provide enjoyment of outdoor activities.

Yesterday our Senior School Art Exhibition opened. Titled Let’s Talk about Inspiration, it showcases the Year 12 Media films, visual productions from all students and our Year 12 creatives. Winners of  the most popular Year 12 work will be announced shortly. Along with every other program we run at the School, Art is of significant importance. It depicts culture, it has an impact on people and politics, it is more than just an image – each form of art tells a story. The Exhibition will remain up in the gallery space for approximately a month, I would highly recommend a coordinated visit.

Mental Health Week is currently being celebrated all around Australia. Liam Casson, Director of the Wynne Centre for Boys’ Health and Wellbeing together with the boys in the Student Wellbeing Committee have created a poster and an Optimistic October chart with the aim of increasing happiness and a connected, caring school community.

In the next couple of weeks a new billboard will be visible on Stirling Highway, and is dedicated to a new program we are running in 2022 for our Early Learning Community – The Strings Program. Music has a proven ability to develop early literacy skills, raise awareness of distinctive sounds and assist in aural and oral language, and our program draws on research linking the study of music to academic achievement. The boys in Pre-Primary will chose between the Violin or Cello and receive tuition with specialist instrumental teachers. I can’t wait for the concert at the end of the year!

Next week we farewell our Year 12 students as they either prepare for their all-important examinations or work placement and apprenticeship. The class of 2021 have been an exceptional group of young men who we will miss and in the future refer to their strong leadership and inclusive care of one another.

Alan Jones
Principal