Principal's Message Week 1 Term 4

I confess to being an avid people watcher. Not in a stalker kind of way, but in a genuine interest in the human condition kind of way.

While on holiday during the term break, I naturally saw families enjoying their vacation time. One family arrived on the second day we were at a resort. They seemed eager to explore the pool area and get their belongings into their room. They appeared to be two families; each with their own adolescent son. I’m going to guess they were both around 14 years old.

What delighted me was the easy relationship with one boy and his mum. They shared a pool lounger and while I couldn’t hear them from afar, I learned much about their interactions.

Firstly, and most importantly, they were readily affectionate, each with the other. A casual arm around her shoulder, a gentle patting on the leg from him. Their feet were entwined the whole time I observed them. At one point he nuzzled into her much like I imagine he did when we was small. He was easily as tall as his mum. He rested his head on her shoulder and they laughed and chatted. And chatted and giggled. The tan lines of his rash vest clearly demarcating his upper arms and his gangly limbs extending in all directions at once made a familiar summer picture complete.

At one point they were looking at her phone. At another they were examining a book. The smiles were infectious.

There were moments when they clearly didn’t speak. Easy in the company of the other. An unspoken and important tie.

He had a fancy mocktail. She had a stronger version!

I have no idea about what they conversed. I don’t need to know. What I witnessed was pure joy, and unconditional love. When I left the pool area he had put his arm firmly around his mum and they were both lazily loving one another.

When the waiter came by – the boy did the talking and he had obviously been taught some social graces. Mum didn’t speak for him and didn’t make it all happen around him. The second foamy, creamy looking drink had been ordered clearly on the taste success of the first! Her stronger version similarly dutifully arrived as well.

Where was dad? He was right there on the next lounger, apparently oblivious. But I bet he wasn’t. I reckon he saw all I saw. And reveled in it. Because for those of us whose children are now grown, we know this is all too fleeting.

Enjoy your adolescent son. He is nowhere near perfect (as we also aren’t), but we know there will come a time where this is not as within reach as it is right now. From one who has three adult children (two of them are men), these times are memories all too quickly.

How I delighted in the privilege of witnessing this love so freely exchanged and shared.

Welcome to the new term.

Last day of Term 3

On the last day of term, 64% of our enrolled students attended. Those students got to enjoy, contribute to the positive culture of our school, and delight in the Charity Fayre, and the much-anticipated House Lip Sync Competition. They also engaged in six classroom lessons where teaching and learning took place.

You cannot learn if you do not attend. Again, I reiterate my expectation that students are NOT withdrawn from school to commence holidays early. Our boys have more than enough holiday time.

Dr Craig Wattam

College Principal