This issue’s Welcome is from Adam Kenny Head of Boys’ Junior School
August was originally called Sextilis as it was the sixth month, and had only 30 days until Augustus, the Roman Emperor after whom it was named, did not want his month to have fewer days than Julius Caesar’s month, so he added a day to August making it 31 days long, just like July.
If I was renaming the month (obviously I am not!) but I’d probably call it ‘Communus’ for August is a month where our School community comes together for so many wonderful events.
Our student community was delighted to welcome back and embrace Alumni and World Champion Scotty James as he returned to the School primarily as always simply to come back and say ‘hi’, but also to launch his inaugural children’s book Mooki and the Big Scary.
For our Secondary School students, it was full steam ahead for the House Singing journey. Led with such strength and character by their House Captains and with only six rehearsal sessions each House prepared their own unique version of the iconic You’re the voice, and a ‘choice’ song from the 1980s. View the images in the Secondary News page.
On Performance Day our Years 7 – 12 students and staff excitedly and with some trepidation, gathered together in CM Wood, and were enthralled by what would have to be one of the best ever set of performances in the 25+ years of House Singing history! Don’t stop believin’, Footloose, The power of love, Gimme gimme gimme and Got my mind set on You were delivered with talent and gusto, and caused a huge challenge to adjudicator Lisa Edwards – mother of Alumni Maddi Edwards Class of 2020 – and former backing singer of John Farnham. What an amazing event for our School community.
Our Year 11 and 12 Formals were great events, where we see the character, friendship and Compass values of our eldest students shine and there is a profound sense of community and genuine care and respect for one another amidst the dancing and fun and laughter.
On Friday 30 August more than 500 Junior School students gathered together with their fathers, grandfathers, brothers, mums, sisters and other significant people in their lives for our annual Fathers’ Day Breakfast. We ate, sang, did the biggest ever YMCA, answered trivia and tackled the big issues such as should tomato sauce be stored in the fridge or cupboard? The answer to this most import question is of course – the cupboard!
And these were just the main events of the month of ‘Communus’ that of course finished with the wonderful community event that is Jazz Night! What a spectacular display of musical talent.
We are blessed to be in a school where our community comes together so often and displays so much genuine care and respect for one another.
Adam Kenny | Head of Boys’ Junior School, Leadership and House Co-ordinator
