Head of Junior School
House Spirit
Two kilometres of hard work, sore legs, sore lungs, wanting to stop and walk… running at the back of the field, but the loudest cheers were saved for our final competitors. This was the spirit and support given to our boys, first through last, who competed and completed the cross-country course.
"As a father, I believe that involving children in sports at a young age is generally, a wise proposition. I believe that healthy competition is... well... healthy; that sporting events foster a spirit of teamwork that far surpasses the events themselves; and that active participation keeps children moving and is good for their self-esteem." Naveen Jalin
Last week saw our Year 1 to 5 boys demonstrate true house spirit. Marching in behind their banners, the boys assembled in their blue, yellow, red, brown, black and green house shirts. They were keen to try their best, keen to have a go and keen to represent their House. The House Captains had written the first war cries for their House and had practiced these ready to sing them as victors on the day. But most importantly, the boys wanted to run.
As they sprinted the first 100 meters, the racers soon settled into a natural rhythm. Some raced ahead and challenged for places, others followed up behind working to finish the demanding course. Most importantly the boys supported one another. As they ran they encourage each other to keep going and, as they finished, the rest of the members of their houses, as well as parents and staff, cheered them on.
One of our goals this year has been to further develop House spirit. Events like our Inter-House Cross Country Carnival, so wonderfully organised by Mr Caniglia, is a perfect vehicle to promote this. The boys supported and cheered on each other and were fine ambassadors for their House and College.
The opportunity to develop the boys' House spirit in the sporting and academic arena is very important. They need to learn to see the benefit of trying hard and to appreciate the efforts of others. We cannot all be winners but we can all be champions. Bruce House, our winners on the day, sang the war cry with pride, but most of all demonstrated, as did all of our students, the spirit of fine Scotch boys.
John Stewart
Head of Junior School
