At last week's assembly, Harrison Banfield (Year 12, Cameron) and Matthew Khowira (Year 12, Ferguson) shared some of the experiences and memories the boys had from the recent service tour to Tanzania during the July holiday break. To hear Matthew say, "Although they have so little to give, they were generous with their welcomes and their belongings. An example was when a boy named Ramah bought me a bag of peanuts with all the money he had on him. This was truly a memorable moment." I have no doubt there were a number of experiences that will have left an indelible impression on all of the boys on the tour.

The benefits and rewards experienced by those on the Tanzania service tour are not dependent on the location or distance travelled. Service does not require us to leave our own community or to wait until we are part of an organised group at a set time. We don't need to be invited. Service is something we can do daily. We can give daily through simple acts of kindness. We can give of our time, encouragement, support, knowledge, attention, or perhaps a gift or money if we wish, but importantly to give without expecting a reward. It is when we give not expecting anything in return that we often find the reward to be the greatest.

Following the assembly, the Senior School came together for the Inter-House Athletics carnival last Friday and Saturday. After spirited competition over two days the carnival concluded with a wonderful marching display from each of the Houses and the Pipe Band. It was remarkable to see the depth of talent in the Pipe Band programme as a band of 73 boys performed a marching display before a large and highly appreciative crowd of parents and local residents. We look forward to supporting the boys selected in the College's athletics team for the upcoming Quads and PSA Athletics Championship.

To all families in Year 12, please note due to the PSA Athletics and Year 11 examinations, this coming Friday, 2 September, is the last assembly that will involve all Year 12 boys marching to the Dickinson Centre. For many of the Year 12 boys, this will mark the culmination of five years of marching to the assembly. A special assembly (without marching) will be held on Wednesday 7 September from 8.35am to send off our Athletics Team before the PSA Athletics Championship on Friday 9 September.

Dr Rob McEwan

Head of Senior School