TGS BOARDERS' TELEGRAPH - 2 June, 2023

Forgive me this week. As drafts roll in and assessment goes into overdrive for my Years 8 to 10s and my Year 12 Modern History class, I write only of three notable events in the past fortnight or so.

The Year 9 boys came across for a barbecue breakfast at our place last week and it was good to have them around. Secondly, and I think most importantly, is the arrival of all the new furniture in the House. Lastly, the Pie Eating contest at the House Assembly today – a late, and entertaining occasion.

I hope you enjoy the articles.

The last week coincided with my first anniversary as Head of House in Stephens – another of those ‘where does the time go?’ moments. Before the end of term, I will get the boys donuts to thank them for their support – and I will remind them, like I did my own kids, just don’t touch the furniture if you’ve got sugar or jam on your hands!

On a general note, the boys continue to behave well, represent their House with credit and are, for the most part, a pleasure to be around. This week, I enjoyed a late-night prep session with a number of the Year 10 boys - they told some good stories!

Special commendations this week to Brigs (Year 8) for his efforts in the GPS Cross Country event held in Ipswich at Limestone Park. Brigs secured the top finish for a TGS boy in his 4kms race. For his efforts, Brigs has received a trophy, presented to him earlier this week.

‘Don’t forget, Harvey Norman is arriving today…’ was my announcement early last week, to which a nameless Year 9 asked: ‘But which dorm is he going to be sleeping in, sir? and ‘Where is he from?’

The furniture order went in around five months ago and over the course of the last couple of weeks it has been great to see a steady flow of boxes arrive in the storage areas below Stephens-Groom. A week or so back, we sent a bunch of intrepid young Stephens boys down into the guts of our building, from where they emerged with more flatpack furniture than you could find in an IKEA warehouse.

I have to give the boys a huge thank you (known in local language as a pizza) for all of their efforts in screwing together every table – coffee, dining, side - and every chair, before re-arranging the new couches and sofas in the common rooms. Both Senior and Junior common rooms have been kitted out and I am delighted to report that they appear to have gone down very well.

Some initial grumblings that they ‘aren’t soft enough, sir’ and ‘we want the stained one with the broken wooden frame back’ appear to have given way to gratitude and appreciation. I am delighted with how they look, how they feel and the general quality - we have spoken already to the boys about the need to care for their ‘bought’ environment, to treat everything well and to ensure that the longevity the House enjoyed with the previous furniture is replicated with these purchases.

I said that there is every chance that Tranberg and I will be taken out of the House before this furniture is - hopefully not in a flatpack box I may add!

It was good to see the whole House engage in the building of the furniture and the dorms are now resplendent with new dorm-end sofas and complimentary tables. This is an ideal space for breakout prep tasks and collaborative learning situations. Alongside of the Academic Enrichment Program, currently taking up two nights per week, it is really good to have spaces where boys can work together. With Groom, we are the two Houses that do not have direct access to a prep classroom. Furthermore, all of the plastic chairs in the cubicles have been replaced with ergonomic chairs, more comfortable and better for the boys.

A number of people have worked exceptionally hard to ensure that the boys new-look environment is up to scratch and I would like to thank Mark Oliphant and Nick Byron for pushing our needs at Executive level. Chris Stearn for his spreadsheets, co-ordinating who is getting what and where it is going to be situated between Groom, Corfe and Stephens. To Morag Watt and her team who have ensured that delivery and orders have been aligned and lastly, to all of the boys who were involved with the clearing out the old and prepping for the new. I hope that when you come to collect your boys in the upcoming holidays, you will stop by and have a look at the dorm and common room makeovers. As I have said previously, the boarding house cannot replace home; however, we can try to recreate an environment which is more homely. Next up, lamps and fake plants. Facebook Marketplace here I come.

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In the absence of a GPS sports round this week and feeling a sense, amongst the boys, that they were missing their weekly dose of competition, the Stephens House assembly featured a pie eating competition. As something of an aficionado of all things eating, I was somewhat disappointed to see that hands were allowed, and condiments encouraged – with boys having access to both tomato and barbecue sauce. These rules were truly different from similar northern hemisphere speed-eating competitions.

The boarders were well represented, and Edward Rogan was adjudicator. Representing the senior boys was Jim Mann, and, it has to be said that as Jim rose to enter the auditorium, my mind was set and if anyone had possessed the quick wit to open a book on the results, I would have put the house (my own, not the boarding house) mortgage on a Mann victory. However, then Alen Vargese was called forward and in true amateur gambler style, I questioned my judgement. Jim vs Alen is quite an intriguing contest. Third up for the boarders and representing Year 9 was Jack Gobbert. Now, Jack’s dad, Alan, as owner of the Moree Bakery (thank you Michelle…!) has regularly gifted me delicious pies, bread and other baked goods and I have to say, there is no way that anyone would want to speed-eat a Gobbert-baked pie. They are just too good to rush. So, apologies to Jack, I did not see him as serious competition to the Year 11 and 12 rivals.

Well, the airhorn started the event and the boys tucked in. Jack was still thinking about which sauce to add whilst Jim and Alen were something of a demolition duo. In a controversial finish, and the boys did lack water - always a good lubricant in speed-eating contests – to wash down the pastry and meat, a Year 8 boy, Edward Barwick took the prize in controversial circumstances. Jim had seen off the not inconsiderable challenge of Alen; however, it turned out that some meat had dropped from the pie and Jim had attempted to hide it beneath his napkin – again, another accessory not seen in my previous pie eating experiences. Edward Rogan had sighted the meat and consulted with the adjudication team about the manner in which Jim had tried to conceal it. It was determined that this went against the Stephens House mantra of ‘Respect, Integrity and Trust’ and thus Edward called the Year 8 dayboy out as the winner.

All told, the boys enjoyed a great spectacle, and we would welcome the boys, or Telegraph readers, to suggest a future House event for assembly time on a Tuesday afternoon.

In Term 1, Kate and I invited the Year 8 and Year 11 boys across for breakfast and this term, we have followed up with having the Year 9 cohort across. With the temperatures dropping, I think the boys were pleased to have just one day of respite from the long walk up the hill to the dining room for boiled egg and baked beans. We gathered around a virtual fire pit (health and safety) that was to be photoshopped in later on (see pictures…!) and enjoyed the gifts of the Weber. Fried eggs, pork sausages and crispy bacon all seemed to go down pretty well and whilst Coco was ever vigilant, it seemed that the boys ended up with most of the food.

We had a chat about how they see their year panning out – what they liked, what could be better and the upcoming Origin game. I have been really pleased to see how the boys have welcomed Henry Maunder into their community after he came across from TAS late last year. His presence in the House is really strong – playing 1^st IV tennis this term and committing himself to his academic program. It is important for all of the boys to see the power of study and wider reading. Whilst I did not talk about this on the occasion of the barbecue – I generally do pick my moments pretty well – it is worth emphasising here. Dorms A and B in the House are a vibrant mix of Year 8 and Year 9 and they are fast-developing good study habits and positive behaviour. It is nice to remind them of this in a small social occasion such as a group breakfast.

The boys are still optimistic of new, natural gas barbecues arriving soon and the whole-house Wednesday morning BBQ breakfast can re-commence. Our fingers remain crossed.

As this is the final newsletter for this term, I take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and safe holiday.

Regards,

Phil Kefford
Head of Stephens House Boarding