Risk Taker
'I approach uncertainty with forethought and determination. I work to explore new ideas and strategies. I am resourceful and resilient in making reasoned, ethical decisions.'
Taking on a new challenge, embracing the opportunity and doing your best. For a long time, this has played a significant part in the success of countless individuals. We continually encourage our boys to try their best and to demonstrate a positive risk-taking attitude. We ask them to attempt new things and to be willing to fail in order to improve. Seeing the boys willingly take new risks and succeed is very pleasing to witness.
The past two weeks we have celebrated the talents, efforts and risk taking of our boys. Their efforts in sport and academics has been showcased and the boys were able to reflect with pride on what they have learnt and accomplished.
The Year 5 PYP Exhibition is the culmination of a learning experience for our Year 5 boys. This year we involved Year 11 students as mentors to our boys, fresh from their experience in the Year 10 personal project. The secondary school boys assisted the Year 5 boys in organising their research and structuring their reports. As mentors' their support was instrumental to the quality of the boy's individual exhibition success.
Our boys began working on the exhibition in Week 7 of the Autumn Term. In Week 4 of this term the boys finally had the opportunity to share their research and learning with parents, fellow student and teachers. The central idea for the exhibition was 'Challenges, risks and opportunities may lead to migration.' Each boy had devised his own burning question to research. The theme based on migration has provided a plethora of avenues to investigate. The boys were fully immersed in the theme and have discovered some very interesting facts.
Our annual Inter House athletics carnival presented its own series of challenges to our athletes. After taking part in grading in the previous fortnight, our boys met on our ovals to challenge themselves in an attempt to beat their personal bests. The boys were tested in a range of track and field events competing for themselves and their houses. Many boys improved on their personal best in several events and proudly represented their House demonstrating great commitment and effort throughout the day.
This year Mr Whiston provided the Year 1 and 2 boys with a full athletics day experience and they happily embraced the new challenge. It was great to see the smiles on the boys' faces as they crossed the finish line, pleased with their efforts.
Several other events have showcased our boys' talents and risk taking attitude. Boys from Year 5 competed in the Reader's Challenge competition at MLC against 14 teams from other schools. Scotch Red - Banjo Harold, Joel Stocks, Emmanuel Radici came in as equal 8th, Scotch Blue - Henry Capon, Henry Vaughan and Fletcher O'Connell came in equal 11th.
A special well done is extended to Winston Kwan from Year 3, who has achieved top 100 nationally and worldwide for his work on Mathletics.
We take many opportunities to celebrate the achievements and efforts of our boys. The events listed here are but a few and demonstrate how our boys embrace risk taking. Approaching the uncertainty represented in new experiences, our boys demonstrate great determination and forethought. I thank them for their willingness to have a go, to explore new ideas and to embrace the challenge.
Mr John Stewart
Head of Junior School
