2014
In the extended version of his report, Shane McAloon wrote, “Possibly one of the best kept secrets at
Hutchins is the staff of the Middle School.” This year, this wonderfully dedicated team of professionals
speak for themselves:
2014 has been a wonderful year, a year of firsts for me. Something that becomes less and less common with
age. A Year 7 Mentor Group for the first time, a Power of 9 expedition for the first time, and my first year
as House Coordinator. It made me appreciate the daily ‘first times’ Year 7s are exposed to, and the
inherent excitement and fatigue associated with this daily routine of ‘first times.’ Their first Summer and
Winter Sports Days, Camp, homework, lockers, moving from class to class, own devices, and so on. To be
present for all of those ‘first times’ for the boys is so richly rewarding it makes us rarely ask why we would
do anything other than teach.
Nick Eaves.
You might think that after more than 19 years of working in Middle School as a Mentor and Maths/Science
teacher, the job for me has become repetitive. That couldn't be further from reality. Life in the Middle
School is ever-changing, usually subtly but sometimes more obviously. Different events, changes to
curriculum, assessment and reporting and different themes and points of emphasis all add variety. But
mostly it's the individual boys and their class groupings each year that provide the most important changes
to maintain a fresh and vibrant ambience. As in previous years, it's the impressive deeds of the boys of
7IAd 2014, individually and collectively, that continue to make me proud and regularly give me the
opportunity to boast: "They're my boys!"
Ian Addison.
2014 has been a year full of firsts and fantastic achievements by 7RGa. The class has consisted of state
hockey players, a state-soccer-playing Skilleroo, a state team cyclist, members of the school athletics and
swimming teams, Da Vinci competitors and many high achieving academic award winners. The boys’
unequivocal finest achievement is the success and teamwork that they have developed throughout the year
in the competitive sports of Dodgeball and Flags. Personally, I have had the chance to coach the school
swimming team to success and to develop a promising crop of Middle School hockey players. It has been a
pleasure being welcomed into the school community as a new teacher and I have thoroughly enjoyed my
year with 7RGa.
Richard Gard
It is with mixed feelings that I reflect on 2014 in the Middle School. After spending part of my long
service leave, and most of my money, traveling overseas, I was pleasantly surprised to find the return to
school was not the paralysing shock I expected. Perhaps it was because I thoroughly enjoyed observing the
individual successes of the boys in my Mentor Group. Perhaps it was the successes of my Year 7 and 8
subject classes. Perhaps it was the consistent collegiality and good humour of the teaching and cleaning
staff. Perhaps it was simply the meals the Head of School provided for Parent/Teacher conferences.
Or…perhaps it was all of these small but powerful reminders of how good it is to teach in Middle School. I
will miss it!
Gary Prebble
Pens, books and forms about lice,
Struggling to use a personal device.
Sport and dance, debating too,
The boys all have so much to do.
Tears shed over a simple red T.
“Siiiir, do you really need to give that to me?”
“Mr Matthey is Evil!” I heard one of them go,
“Making us all perform in some Arts expo!”
When I heard this, I asked with a smile,
“Did you have fun? Was it worthwhile?”
Stories from backstage on the night,
That finish with, “Yeah sir, it was alright.”
It’s strange to look into a Year Seven’s mind,
I’m no longer surprised at what I might find,
Some breezed through; others conquered fears.
I hope they remember it … for at least a few years.
Brenton Matthey
I knew from experience 2014 would be a busy year and judging from the many activities undertaken by
8CBe, it has not disappointed. My boys’ sporting achievements including having at least five members of
the state Rugby team, participation in the national free running championships and numerous swimming
medals are some examples. Camp took us to the sunny east coast with the most popular activities being
rock climbing and camping out under the stars and Year 8 projects cover a broad range, from car
renovations to film making. I have found it exciting to see the large number of boys practising leadership
skills through the Middle School Council and I look forward to seeing these skills refined, as the 2014
8CBe boys progress through the school.
Chris Berndt
It has been a pleasure working with 8RMc as they have journeyed through a productive and exciting year.
We studied Science together. One of the highlights was looking at Archimedes’ devices with the boys
building their machine to fire set distances. We videotaped in slowpro the testing of our models and then
presented PowerPoints on our learning. It was great fun! A pastoral highlight was an inspiring talk from
Sam Cawthorn, demonstrating how lucky we are to be here, to have our health and family and to enjoy so
many good school experiences. Surely a personal highlight has been how often other teachers have praised
my Mentor Group for their enthusiasm and pleasant good humour. Thank you for our year together,
8RMc.
Rob McCammon
Being a Hutchins Mentor for the first time has been a rollercoaster ride! But the busy times have been far
outweighed by the fun I’ve had with the fantastic boys in 8 SMc. Who would have thought that a ‘Human
Skipping Rope’ would be possible? The Middle School team is a dedicated, hard-working group of
educators, but above all a great group to work with. I got a few laughs from my fleeting role in ‘Spamalot’
and enjoyed many more on Year 8 Camp, at our Minute to Win It Mentor Challenges and the Middle
School Ice Bucket Challenge. As I move to work in Power of 9, I will always remember 2014 fondly for
the people I’ve worked with and some of the great things we’ve achieved.
Shane McAloon
Why do I like being in Middle School? Quite simply, it’s our students. They are enthusiastic, exuberant
and keen to learn and still laugh at my poor jokes…well sometimes. A bonus is the close collegial
teamwork, while the Middle School gives me the opportunity to teach in a variety of learning areas. 2014
has provided me with the joys of Year 8 camp and enrichment and the opportunity to coach Hockey. I
never tire of being able to nurture our young men’s love for this great game. A personal highlight was my
wonderful opportunity to travel to France for a cycling tour with four friends since high school days. Being
a student at Hutchins will also give our boys an opportunity to develop such life-long relationships.
Anthony Hyland
Highlights of this year have been many and varied. But it is hard to look past these three. Running Middle
School chapels, as we have used creative ways to make God’s word accessible to the boys was the first.
This included role-playing, competitions, short videos, tent assembling competitions, drama and making
recipes. Secondly, there was running lunchtime activities, known as JAFFA, with a fantastic group of Year
8 volunteer leaders. Last, but not least, was working with my wonderful Mentor Group. As a group, they
all grew from strength-to-strength. The glue that created such a strongly-bonded group was an activity that
will prepare them for future fatherhood, our pun of the week competition.
Reverend Mark Holland
It remains for me to thank, on behalf of our boys, their thoroughly dedicated Year Heads, Ivor Leonard and
Fiona Moroney; our relief Mentor, the multi-talented Will Seager; all their teachers based in the Senior
School; our School Counsellor, Mr Docking; Reverend Matt Gray, our Chaplain; our Matron, Andrea
Kooyman; all the dedicated people in our Study Support Centre; our Middle School Secretary; Donna
Beadle, our bus drivers; our maintenance team and in fact, all our support staff.
Ian McQueen