Bubble-wrapping
Quite a few years ago, as a staff member on a Year 8 camp, we hiked along a trail that crossed the path of a parade of bull-ants. These ants were around 2cm in length. A Year 8 lad, quite uncomfortable with the great outdoors, became very anxious, bordering on panicked at the prospect of stepping over this line of ants. He needed a counselling style pep-talk to build the courage to take this step. For him, it was an important step in his development, but one I would have hoped he had much earlier in his life.
Adam Voigt is a respected voice in the Wellbeing field, with restorative practices the foundational theme. As staff at OPAC we are aligned and upskilling in this regard. Adam recently shared a story with a similar theme:
Folk who know me now can be surprised about what I was like as a kid.
The descriptions that my Mum would provide (in the most loving way, as only Mums can) are awkward, nervous, risk averse, a little neurotic and terrible at making friends. I was a decent target for bullies and I endured my share of it.
“So, when did it all change?” and, “How did you end up confident enough to appear on national television?” are the types of questions I’m often asked when I share the truth of my childhood self.
I’ve thought deeply about how to honestly answer those questions. And I think I can pinpoint the moment that it turned around. It was when my dad dragged 12-year-old me, largely against my will, to cricket training at Delacombe Park Cricket Club.
At Delacombe Park I experienced three important events that led to improved confidence and self-esteem:
Risk – this came physically when I was trying to survive a net session against a malevolent peer trying to hurt me with a cricket ball. It also came socially when I tried not to cry when I made a duck in a match or couldn’t hit the pitch while bowling.
Failure – I learned, through real life experiences, to get over the moments where I fell short.
Success – I learned that the people around me, such as coaches and parents, rarely put me in positions where I had no chance to succeed, or at least cope. I did hit the ball, survive the bruises and claim the odd wicket. The feelings of achievement generated by those moments were intoxicating.
My parents had done everything to help me prior to joining Delacombe Park CC. They’d coached me, mentored me, lectured me, encouraged me and also protected me. None of it was worth their significant investment.
You see, we don’t develop resilience and positive coping strategies by learning about them. It’s only via imperfect, adventurous and challenging real-life moments that we become resilient.
The school is perfectly positioned as a place where students experience all manner of risk, within an environment – the perfect safety net for risks that get out of hand.
What matters is just being that net when truly needed.
The rest of the glorious physical and social risks that arise between students are merely valuable learning experiences.
At the start of the year, attendance and full-blooded participation in the annual camps should be fun, formative experiences, with considerable personal growth that comes from pushing outside their comfort zone. This all helps to develop greater resilience, such that in adulthood our students are better placed to manage the adversity and curveballs that life will unfortunately throw their way. Our camps have the added benefit of developing social skills and connections in a fun and adventurous environment.
Remembrance Day
OPAC has been represented on the national stage for Remembrance Day – 1 minute into the ABC news video, you can see College Captain Josh D in OPAC uniform reading ‘In Flanders Field’ (see him at 1:01). An extraordinary honour for Josh and the College.
We believe it vital that our students take a moment to show respect for and reflect upon the sacrifice of our service people. It was fitting for the whole of OPAC to pause for a moment at 11am on 11 November.
Compassion in Action @ OPAC
Our College has been donating towards the men, women and families experiencing hardship in our local community with the Camden Turning Point Christmas Food Collection. Nanette from Turning Point spoke at our recent assembly to help students understand the significant need in our community and how we can make a difference. Students have donated food items during Pastoral Class time over the last couple of weeks, to build a mountain of food items (as seen in the image) and are collecting until Friday 29 November. In Week 8, our Year 10 students will help sort and pack the food for delivery to Turning Point during the Service Learning week. Year 10 students will also be cooking meals to provide Turning Point and help feed those who are struggling to make ends meet.
Faithfully,
Mr Steve Owen
Deputy Principal – Head of Senior School
Sport
We are now heading into the last 2 weeks for MISA, the semi-finals and finals weeks. Here are our teams are sitting and their fixtures for next week.
| Round 5 (Week 6) | Semi -Final Round | Current Placing |
7-9 Girls Oz tag: | LOSS v MAS | 3rd place Zone play off v SBCC @ Sports Hub | 4th |
7-9 Boys Oz tag | WIN v MAS | 3rd place Zone play off v WAC @ Sports Hub | 4th |
7-9 Girls AFL | LOSS v BAC | Semi Final v BAC @ Onslow Oval | 4th |
7-9 Boys AFL | BYE | Round 6 v BAC @ Onslow Oval | 3rd |
7-9 Boys Indoor Cricket | LOSS v WAC | Round 6 v BAC @ Onslow Oval | 2nd |
7- 9 Girls Softball | DRAW v GRG | Semi Final v BAC @ Cowpasture Reserve | 3rd |
10-12 Boys Volleyball (Div 1) | BYE | Semi Final v JTCC @ OPAC | 2nd |
10-12 Girls Volleyball (Div 1) | WIN v MAG | 1st place Zone play off v SBCC @ OPAC | 2nd |
10-12 Mixed Ultimate Frisbee (Div 1) | LOSS v MCCC | Semin Final v BAC @ Victoria Park | 4th |
A reminder that parents are welcome to come support the teams by spectating if they are available.
Sport Shoutout:
In our continued effort to highlight exceptional teams and individuals, we would like to recognise Jesse T (Year 8) and Cooper H (Year 7). Earlier this month, these 2 students competed at the National Taekwondo Championships in Queensland.
We are thrilled to announce that Jesse earned a silver medal, placing 2nd in his division, while Cooper secured a bronze medal, placing 3rd in his division. These achievements are even more remarkable as both students overcame challenges earlier in the year, including injuries that required them to take over a month off training.
This success builds on their strong performances at the NSW State Championships in August, where Jesse also placed 2nd and Cooper placed 3rd in their respective divisions. Notably, neither student competed at the National level last year, making their comeback this year particularly inspiring.
The OPAC community would like to congratulate them on their outstanding efforts and wish them continued success in their sporting journeys!
We encourage everyone to keep an eye out for exceptional performances both on and off the field. If you know of any outstanding teams or individuals worth recognising, please don’t hesitate to inform Mr. Cranston.
Let’s continue to support our athletes as they strive for excellence in the upcoming rounds!
