A Year 7 boy’s journey in character development has continued this term with students examining inspiring people from World War 1 and what virtues they espouse. With this knowledge, each boy considered how they could improve their personal character by comparing the conditions their inspiring person faced in World War 1 with their current life circumstances identifying what their character strengths are and which they weak in and could improve.

The next unit of study in the Year 7 Veritas course is Cybersafety. Our students use the internet to learn, relax, have fun, express themselves, share interests, access services and connect with friends, family and online communities. While this increased connectivity has enormous benefits, it also places students at increased risk of online harms such as cyberbullying, image-based abuse, grooming, privacy breaches and online hate. Student’s online experiences play a significant role in their social and emotional development, which is why cyber safety education is a key component of the Year 7 Veritas program aiding in protecting the safety and wellbeing of our students online.

This term the Year 8 Veritas course undertook an evidence-based drug and alcohol education program. The college uses a harm minimisation approach aimed to reduce the risks associated with drug use, and promote healthier, alternative behaviours for students. This comprehensive approach to drug education gives boys the opportunity to gain accurate information about drugs and drug-related issues, including the misuse of alcohol, vaping/e-cigarettes and illicit substances. They were also provided with the opportunity to explore some communication strategies that can be helpful in disengaging people from being pressured into drug-related activities.

This Term sees the Year 9 boys move further along their path of transformation by being confronted with performing in the Year 9 Dance Spectacular, one of the many challenges’ boys will meet throughout the Odyssey Program. All Year 9 boys have been learning a group dance routine choreographed by specialist Dance Instructors with the goal being to proficiently perform their dance in front of family and friends at the Year 9 Dance Spectacular on the evening of Wednesday 2nd June. This will be the night when boys will be challenged to show courage and confront their fear by stepping on stage in front of 700+ people to perform their routine.

The benefits of this event to the development of character in a boy are huge: he has the opportunity to step outside the ‘Man Box’ challenging the stereotype that men don’t dance, he learns to rely on others as part of a team as well as being responsible for his actions within a team; he learns to use mechanisms to lower his stress levels in situations that are uncomfortable; he has the opportunity to demonstrate a Growth Mindset by stepping outside his comfort zone, and above all, he gets to have fun with his peers.