Rogers

IAN BROWNE

Rogers Housemaster

HOUSEMASTER MR IAN BROWNE

ASSISTANT HOUSEMASTER MR ROB WEHL

HOUSE CAPTAIN LACHIE WRIGHT

HOUSE VICE-CAPTAINS JOE CASTER SOLOMON KASOKASON

ACADEMIC PREP MR TIM BROWNE SUPERVISORS AND MR ADAM MALLET RESIDENT MASTERS MR HARRY SMITH MR CHRIS MCFARLANE MR SHAUN BENNETT MR LINDSAY CLOSE

MATRON MRS LIZ COOKSON-BUTLER MRS DONNA FUHRMANN (TERM FOUR) 2015 and never has my saying “Our little Band of Brothers” been so true. From the start the House was full of life and lots of noise. Approximately 35 students have graced the halls of Rogers, all excited, nervous, some even a little homesick, a few very keen, and some a little quiet, but all ready to take the biggest change in their life and become a part of this uniquely wonderful year. The boys, each with their own characteristics, have brought a flavor, a feeling, a brotherhood to Rogers, and given the staff some challenges, but many, many more joys as well. We have seen them all grow in size, stature, strength, maturity and confidence. As staff we have seen them face challenges, be tested outside of their comfort zone, achieve little goals and conquer large ones. They have all pushed away their fears and ‘Had a Go’ at something new, different, and in some cases very scary. They have built relationships, and best of all, we have seen them bond together and make this work.

Our House Crest sums it up best,

• They come to Rogers from the four corners of the Australia and the world. • We meet in Rogers, we bond, we grow and we build relationships. • After a year in transition, they leave

Rogers with wonderful memories for a new life experience in the one of the four Senior Houses of TSS. I talk a lot about “Our little band of brothers”. For some who have brothers you will understand, and for the boys this year, even if they don’t have a brother at home, they now have many here at TSS. So what are Brothers; Brothers enjoy teasing you, annoying you, getting you in trouble, especially in front of parents. Brothers help you through tough times, pull you up when you’re down, and bring you back down to ground when you are up too high.

Brothers at times love you, hate you, protect and defend you. They will even sometime take the blame for you… they look out for you. But most of all, when you have a Brother, you have him for Life.

That’s what I hope all of you now have, and will cherish for many, many years… A brother from your days in Rogers. Rogers House is a year of transition for many. Rogers combats this by using the motto “Get Involved…”.

We have gone from the beach to the bush, theme parks to the park having fun, sports and game, movies and trips just driving in the bus. The boys this year did just about everything the Gold Coast can offer. The smiles on the boys’ faces in our photos tells the story, a happy bunch, a happy few. On our photo album, as many have seen already, we have close to 3,000 pictures from just this year alone, and I’d like to say a BIG thanks to the students and many of the staff for all their help here. In particular our resident photographer, Mr B.

This year we have constantly encouraged our Rogers’ boys to participate. “A busy boy, is a happy boy.” I have some very fond memories of seeing many of our young men trying something new…. Whether it be rugby, rowing, or even going on camp for the first time, not one of them ‘borked’ at the challenge, and with others encouraging them along, the memories for many boys will now last for ever. Some of my more vivid memories

• Camp – seeing all of the Rogers boys lead from the front, impress the camp staff, never giving up, and showing up the Day Boys time and time again. A wonderful sight to see…

• Rubin. “Mr Rugby” – he’d never played rugby union before, and we saw him playing ‘bullrush’ on the ovals, swatting others as he ran by them. He ultimately ended up in my 12As rugby side and scored a try or more every match. • Joe’s outstanding diligence and academic results for the year. Being the Dux of the grade, and yet so cool, calm and relaxed….

• The Annual Knee Rugby match v Second XV in the common room. Always a laugh… • Matron’s birthday parties and imaginative presents for the boys. • Mr Sport (Finn) and the joy when he returned to Rogers after scoring his first ton in cricket… • The two Rogers Sleepovers for 40 odd new boys, and how well all of the current boys got in and involved in making the ‘new’ boys feel very welcome. • Mr PNG time. My drive to the airport with JULIAN…. are we late, are we early… no, eventually just on time. • Even just watching each boy compete for their Senior

House in the House Shield events, ie Tug of War,

Swimming, Cross Country and Track & Field … I then felt this really epitomises why boys must get involved, take a challenge and be engaged. • And that is boarding…. Getting involved … play with your mates! There were many notable performances by the members of Rogers House throughout the year. The academic expectations and workload at TSS can be very daunting for many newcomers. I personally thank our Academic Prep supervisors, Mr Lindsay Close, Mr Leigh Holtsbaum, Mr Adam Mallett, Mr Chris McFarlane, and lead by Mr Rob Wehl, who has been of great help to the House, especially in the very important academic area. Along with a combination of teaching staff including Mr Lindsay Close, Mr Matt Slattery, Mrs Paula Henry, Mr Rob Harris and especially Mr Karel Bos (who steps down at the end of this year as the Year 7 Coordinator), they have all guided and prodded the boys along in their schoolwork. Thank you to these Year 7 Core Teachers for all that they have done for our boys. Rogers House, however, is not just a building, walls and a floor, it is about the teamwork, community and people who contribute to its life and vitality.

Our Matron, Mrs Liz Cookson-Butler, has developed into the heart of Rogers House. She is always there with that nurturing hand or hug, a “clean your teeth” or a “let’s go together and tidy your locker”, “come on, let’s iron your clothes”. She has done a wonderful job, and I’d like to thank her very, very much for all her efforts over the past two years in the role as Matron. We hope she enjoys her new position in the Health Centre. Thank you…

Term Four we welcomed a new Matron, Mrs Donna Fuhrmann. Straight away she fitted into the busy life that Rogers is and took the reins over with ease. I’d like to thank her also for her time in Rogers, and look forward to working with her for many years to come. This year we have been supported by a group of very able Resident Masters.

Mr Chris McFarlane unfortunately left Rogers at the end of Term Three. Chris brought enthusiasm and vigor to the position, and we thank him for his time in Rogers.

Our “renta” this year was Tom Parker (aka Ed Sheeran), who came to us from England. During his first six months with us he has enjoyed the ‘Aussie’ lifestyle, and next week goes on a true Aussie Adventure to see the rest of our wonderful country. To our remaining staff for next year, Mr Harry Smith, Mr Adam Mallet, Mr Leigh Holtsbaum, Mr Shaun Bennett and Mr Tim Browne, I’d like to also thank them for their help and support this year. Mr Rob Wehl as assistant Housemaster has brought energy, stability, a clear pastoral and academic focus to the House, and for me has been a fantastic support. Mr Wehl also organised this wonderful celebration and we all thank him for his hard work tonight.

It’s been a big year for Mr Wehl, wife Jasmine and daughters Zoe and Brooklyn, as sadly now they leave TSS after many years at the Prep and Senior Schools and move off campus and to a new school. Thank you for your three years in Rogers, and please enjoy having your weekends back!

Finally, I must thank the boys. We have had a very special group of individuals this year. Each has his own character and special traits. But all the students in Rogers have excelled in one way or another. They have all been stars at one time throughout the past 12 months. Through all the ups and down of the school year it has been a pleasure to have these boys in the House, and I hope Rogers has played a significant role in nurturing these boys towards becoming outstanding young men.

YEAR 7 – ROGERS HOUSE GRADUATES Mac Alexander Reilly Baker Nic Baltus Couper Baskus Tom Bassingthwaighte Andy Beale Kiirra Blight Joe Castor Wyle Cullimore Darcy Douglas Jack Dowling Rubin Duroux Jake Gillett Patrick Guppy Jordie Hawkins Mac Henwood Hunter Houlahan Dominic Hui Lachlin Iland Brendan Johnstone Solomon Kasokason Dylan Kennedy Julian Lei Cam Macmillan Hugh McDonald Blake Moffat Sam Morris Sam Pearson Lucas Piper Finn Smith Cameron Vele Lachie Wright

ROGERS HOUSE TROPHIES 2015

Matron’s Trophy ....................................................Blake Moffat

The boy who has been the most helpful and polite in assisting Matron in her daily duties within the House

Senior Scholar ............................................................ Joe Castor

The Year 7 boy who has demonstrated the greatest proficiency and dedication in his academic work. Donated by the Hong Family

The Partridge Cup ..............................................Darcy Douglas

Awarded for academic improvement. The boy who has demonstrated the greatest academic improvement in his time in Rogers House

The Hastie Cup .........................................Solomon Kasokason

For all-round development. The boy that has demonstrated the greatest proficiency in the greatest number of facets of school life.

Music Award ........................................................Cameron Vele

The boy who has demonstrated his commitment to the School’s music program and has demonstrated his willingness to improve his musicals skills. Donated by the Thomas Family

Students’ Student of the Year .................................. Lucas Piper

This trophy is decided by the students themselves on a vote conducted in Term Four. The young man voted by his peers to be the Student of the Year will have shown Mateship, Loyalty, Brotherhood and Friendship to all. First presented by the 2013 Cohort as their gift to Rogers House

Most Improved Performance ............................... Jack Dowling

The before and after factor. The boy who has managed to turn himself around and as a result has made a worthwhile contribution to the House. Donated by the Jackson Family

The First “Best” Mate..............................................Kiirra Bligh

The boy who is the most reliable, a sure support and always ready to lend a hand to his mates. Donated by the Castle Family

The Sportsman Award..............................................Finn Smith

The boy who has demonstrated his commitment to the School’s sporting program, but has also demonstrated the qualities of sportsmanship and fair play. Donated by the Trollope Family

The Quiet Achiever Award .........................Couper Baskus and Hunter Houlahan

Achievement by a boy in any field or fields of endeavour with the minimum of fuss. Donated by the Stirling and Lob families.

The Max Brady Table Tennis Trophy ............... Couper Baskus House Pool Champion..........................Tom Bassingthwaighte

Donated by 2012 Graduating Year

The Luke Glover Memorial Award .................... Lachie Wright

Housemaster’s Award for High Proficiency and Good Citizenship

ROGERS 2015

SEATED ROW: R. BAKER, MRS D. FUHRMANN (MATRON), N. BALTUS, MR H. SMITH, S. KASOKASON (HOUSE VICE-CAPTAIN), MR R. WEHL (ASSISTANT HOUSEMASTER), L. WRIGHT (HOUSE CAPTAIN), MR I. BROWNE (HOUSEMASTER), J. CASTOR (HOUSE VICE-CAPTAIN), MR A. MALLETT, M. ALEXANDER, MR T. BROWNE, C. MCMILLAN