Rogers

MR IAN BROWNE rogers housemaster

Every year we start afresh… new students, with different personalities, traits and backgrounds. We start with many new parents to boarding, all hoping for their son to have a wonderful experience, make new friends, have a great time, and learn some life skills along the way. This is Rogers House. A melting pot for all, that by the end of the year turns into a functioning, family environment where brothers all live together.

It takes a village/community to raise a child. A child has the best ability to become a healthy adult if the entire community takes an active role in contributing to the rearing of the child. With that, I thank everyone for their small part in making 2018 another great year. The House started full of life, vigour, respect and mateships formed. All of them 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 in their first boarding experience. And then how quickly it changed, we headed into our first hurdle, Norovirus. What a time to be a boarding Housemaster, but also what a time to be a student. With that, if I had a trophy, for the ‘most times with Norovirus’, Rowand Kelly would have to win. Three times, along with a few others, plus a hospital visit.

Our focus for the whole House has been the theme of our little band of brothers and I’d hope that all the boys agree, it took a while, but we feel we got there.

As we got to know the boys, each with their own characteristics, each have brought a flavour, a feeling, a brotherhood to Rogers. We have seen them all grow in size, stature, strength, maturity and confidence. As staff we have seen them face some tough times, physically and academically. They have been tested outside of their comfort zone, achieved little goals set, and conquered larger 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, become independent, and, best of all, we have seen them bond together and make this work. 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,

HOUSEMASTER MR IAN BROWNE

ASSISTANT HOUSEMASTER MR ASHLEY CROOK

HOUSE CAPTAIN MACDONALD CHANDLER

HOUSE VICE-CAPTAINS GRIFF WILLIAMS JACK CAMERON

SPORTS CAPTAINS TOM HOULAHAN LACHLAN FRITH

SENIOR RESIDENT MASTER MRS KRISTEN BANNISTER

RESIDENT MASTERS MR JORDAN LARKAN MR ADAM MALLET MR HARRY SMITH MR BRAD STACEY

MATRON MRS DONNA FUHRMANN

rowing, or even going on camp for the first time, not one of them baulked at the challenge, and with others encouraging them along, the memories for many boys will now last forever.

Some of my more vivid memories include:

• Playing rugby as a Rogers team for the first time, against a New Zealand club side, on Anzac day, and we won!

Thanks to my father who assisted me in coaching the boys to their first ever ‘Test Match’ victory • Cathedral Sleepover – what a once in a lifetime experience (that I have done twice so far). Sleeping under a grand Cathedral ornate roof top, on a solid granite floor, on a piece of cardboard as thick as the coins we donated. A ‘great’ night’s sleep was had by none, and no one has broken the record set by Brayden Hudson who managed nine hours straight!

Most of us got two or three

• Touch football in the afternoons, fishing, crikey 400 rods and only 44 boys • Year 7 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 • Lachie Frith. “Mr Everything” – he was the busiest student all year.

Swimming, cross country, football, rugby, rowing, athletics, the list goes on, and a top academic as well. A huge heart, a growing leader and a wonderful young man • Community service (in and out of the School) – the Rogers boys embraced community service, and this year have raised, with parents and friends support, nearly $2,000 for charity, including Anglicare’s

Night in the Cathedral experience we all won’t forget • Josh Weis’s incident at Bounce one minute after we’d arrived, and then after having numerous puffs on the green stick, said to all the boys see you back at the house for a cold beer? • Matron’s birthday parties and imaginative presents for the boys.

Especially the State of Origin cake & dress up

• Mac Chandler. A leader among boys, and men. Mature years ahead of his age, and such a wonderful person • Hospital visits and sleepovers in a hospital chair. Normally only one or two visits a year, this year, eight for myself with four sleepovers, and similar for Mr Crook • Leading diligence House… BIG

IMPROVERS in boarding. • The four 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 • Even just watching each boy compete for their Senior House in the House Shield events. Tug of war, swimming, cross country and track and field. I then felt this really epitomises why boys must get

involved, take a challenge and be engaged • And that is the epitome of boarding.

Getting involved and playing with your mates!

All in all, this year’s Rogers cohort have been great. They have bonded together from the start, and accepted all newcomers. I congratulate them all on being so willing to try something new.

Our House crest sums it up best;

• They come to Rogers from the four corners of Australia and the world. • We meet in Rogers in the centre, 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 one of the four Senior Houses of TSS.

There were many notable performances by the staff members of Rogers House

throughout the year. The academic expectations and workload at TSS can be very daunting for many newcomers. I personally would like to thank our Academic Prep Supervisors, Mr Elliott, Mr Bos, led by Mr Crook and Mrs Bannister, who have all been of great help to the House, especially in the very important academic area.

Along with a combination of teaching staff including Mr Petrie, Mr Almaktoum, Ms McQuillan, Mr Alves, Mrs Bannister, Mr Crook, Mr Harris, Ms Watts and especially Mr Elliott. 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 team work, community and people who contribute to its life and vitality. A huge thank you to the staff in the Health Centre that help our boys each and every day. Liz, Sally and the many others. To Cora our House cleaner who is wonderful, and keeps this place looking top notch.

The maintenance staff have been wonderful in maintaining Rogers and keeping it as good as it was back in 2011 when first renovated.

To the catering staff who nutritionally keep our boys fed and the Grounds and Facilities staff for their help and assistance.

Our matron, ‘Ms D’ Donna Fuhrmann 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. She has done a wonderful job, and I’d like to thank her very very much for all her efforts over the past three and a half years in this role, and I 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 Honore Dupieu has been with us for a year as a French language assistant, and also a resident here in Rogers. Mr Dupieu brought enthusiasm, a French flavour and vigour to the position. Thank you also to Mr Will Dobrenov for his assistance this year as well. We thank them both for their time in Rogers. Also thanks to Mr Lestro who has helped out during the year with duties. He has recently spent a week at Schoolies, as the Chaplain who heads up the Red Frog Brigade. Big thanks to him for his contribution to our boys.

Our Junior Resident Master for the past six months has been Mr Jordan Larkan who came to us from South Africa. During this time he has enjoyed the ‘aussie’ lifestyle, and next week goes home, hoping to return again soon to commence university here in SouthEast Queensland.

We also farewell Mrs Bannister from Rogers this year. She has contributed to the wonderful feel and life of Rogers, and even taken one for the team (fell, broke a thumb and badly hurt her knee) and along with her son Jordan, and husband Matt, this family made Rogers their home away from home. Thank you Mrs Bannister on behalf of Rogers for your time here.

To our remaining staff for next year; Mr Smith, Mr Mallet, and Mr Stacey, I’d like to also thank them for their help and support this year. It’s wonderful to work with colleagues that care, and are passionate about the House and the School. All (bar one) of these residents in Rogers are Old Boys of TSS, and this is such an asset to us all.

Mr Ashley Crook as Assistant Housemaster has brought energy, stability, a clear pastoral, academic and positive focus to the House which has been a fantastic support. We all thank him for his hard work this year. Along with Mr Crook’s wife Sarah, and their three children, they have made Rogers their home for the past year, and we will miss them as they move back to Victoria. Best wishes to you on behalf of the House, thank you for your friendship, and support for Rogers and TSS these past few years.

I want to thank my wife Carlene for her patience, advice, support and dedication to the House and to me. The boys also want to thank you for all the special meals you cooked throughout the year in our home, especially Ned who loved the gravy on his chips.

Finally, I must thank the boys. In celebrating my 27th year at TSS as a staff member, I couldn’t have received a better gift than to have had this special group go through Rogers. Each student 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 downs 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 toward becoming outstanding young men.

HOUSE CAPTAIN’S REPORT Macdonald Chandler

Wow, what a year it has been already! It has gone so fast. The terms have gone so quickly, it was only 10 months ago we were unpacking into Rogers and now we are packing up and getting ready to move into a Senior House. I have had a great time at TSS so far, both in the classroom and in the boarding House. I came in not knowing anybody but by the first week I had made many great mates.

Rogers House is a great place to live, it is easy to get around after a tiring day of school or sport. It is just like a second home. Rogers provides us with many great memories such as the State of Origin, movie nights, gaming nights, cooking in the kitchen and most importantly just having fun. The weekend activities have been even better, there is no way that a boy could ever get bored here, in fact you are far more likely to get worn out. The highlights for me were Movie World, sport competitions, Timezone, Inflatable World, Aqua-Splash and the beach.

The School started off the year with the Norovirus, which led to many weekend activities, sport, and socials being cancelled. Despite it being our first term away from home, Rogers boys, with the support of our amazing teachers and the Health Centre, stayed strong and fought through illness and isolation. The Norovirus showed us how resilient Rogers boys are. In Term One Rogers were given the challenge of providing a team to play in a T20 inter-school cricket competition. Rogers put in a team of 16 boys who played at their finest, competing in six games and winning every single one of them, ultimately taking out the premiership.

I think one of Mr Browne’s proudest days he has had at TSS, occurred in Term Two. Rogers House were to play against a New Zealand school named Methvan in rugby. Methvan came determined to play, and we were a bit shaky at the start of the game, with a score of 5-7 to Methvan within the first ten minutes. Rogers didn’t let the score stop us though, and we kept playing hard, and at full time we pulled off a strong victory of 32-7.

In Term Three it was the start of the GPS rugby season, and the boys were hyped and ready to go. Unfortunately, the boys experienced some injuries in the rugby season, Michael Russell, Luke Tenant, and Will Kelly suffered concussions, Tom Houlahan pulled a muscle in his shoulder, Nick Cuffe who broke his hand in training, and then there was Charlie Lines, the poor

ROGERS HOUSE

SEATED ROW: T. HOULAHAN (SPORTS CAPTAIN), MRS K. BANNISTER, G. WILLIAMS (VICE CAPTAIN) MR A. CROOK (ASSISTANT HOUSEMASTER), M. CHANDLER (HOUSE CAPTAIN), MR I. BROWNE (HOUSEMASTER), J. CAMERON (VICE CAPTAIN), MRS D. FUHRMANN (MATRON), L. FRITH (SPORTS CAPTAIN) SECOND ROW: MR H. SMITH, E. PARRY, B. POSTLE, W. BROOKS, A. COLEMAN, S. MADDEN, M. RUSSELL, T. MAHER, G. MILSON, S. POWER-SMITH, E. BAI, L. WEBSTER, MR A. MALLET THIRD ROW: MR B. STACEY, F. BACKUS, E. TREVOR-JONES, E. MONTGOMERY, A. HUI, L. TENNANT, J. HARROLD, C. LINES, B. HOLLIS, M. MONTGOMERY, A. PHILP, T. WATTS, Z. PIZZINAT, MR J. LARKAN FORTH ROW: W. KELLY, I. BARNES, I. HARGREAVES, H. MCCORMACK, J. RAFF, J. CAMPBELL, N. CUFFE, W. JOHNSON, N. ALEXANDER, J. WEIS FIFTH ROW: N. GRAHAM, W. HACON, L. SCIONTI, R. KELLY, H. MOLONEY, S. SWEETLAND

kid who decided to jump over rope and break his collarbone. In Term Three we had two sleepovers during which we had a great time, having fun at Bounce and on a trampoline boat. A great thing we did at the end of this term was a mystery tour to Captain Cook lighthouse and Hidden Creek where we went sliding down a hill and swimming in the lake.

Term Four saw the start of pre-season rowing and cricket. Most of the cricket boys were familiar with the program, however, it has been a new start for most of the rowers. With the great work of Mr Browne, who gave extra sculling sessions on Wednesdays, all the boys did a great job. Mid-term we had the privilege to be able to go to the Anglican Cathedral in Brisbane. We did many great activities such as walking up to where the bells are rung and watching a movie at 10:00pm. After the movie we all went to bed on a cardboard slab with a sleeping bag or doona, which Mr Browne states was the most uncomfortable sleep he has ever had. But it was an experience of a lifetime.

The boys in Rogers all have their unique personalities. All the boys have different backgrounds, from the international students like Josh Weis, Ethan Bai and Alex Hui to the boys living on the coast such as Zen Pizzinat, Luca Sconti and Jay Campbell, and of course out to the boys far west, such as William Johnson, Ned Alexander and George Milson. This is the best thing about Rogers - the boys’ ability to bond together from such different backgrounds and form such a great friendship, or what we call a brotherhood.

None of this amazing experience would be possible without the support and encouragement from the Rogers staff, and on behalf of all the Rogers boys, I would like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to them all.

Firstly, I would like to thank the Junior Resident Masters of the House. These guys not only encourage us to tidy our rooms and clean our teeth, but have been great role models and mates. Mr Larkin, Mr Dobrenov and Mr Dupieu. Mr Larkin is always the guy who will help you with everything. Mr Dupieu is the guy who loves having a gaming session with the boys on the weekend. Mr Dobrenov is the guy who will always be out playing footy or basketball in the afternoons, and lastly Mr Lestro is always up for a joke. They go with the flow of how Rogers is run and are a great bunch of men.

Mr Mallet, Mr Stacey, Mr Smith and Mr Lestro - they are always up for a joke around each other and with the boys. They are very athletic men, whether it’s swimming, AFL or football, and they are always up for a game of touch in the afternoon. While Mr Lestro only joined us half way through this year he has been a great role model. They are very fun and caring towards the boys in Rogers and will always be remembered. Now, the lovely ladies of the House, Ms D and Ms Bannister. They are always the people who will be there to help if you are feeling sad or down. Caring, loving, kind are just a few words to describe these ladies and I don’t think there is a boy in Rogers who hasn’t been extremely grateful for their thoughtfulness. Thank you so much for things like birthday cakes, sewing on buttons, finding lost property, a kind word, a hug or a quiet chat during our first year away from home. We are all very grateful.

While we are on the topic of the ladies of Rogers House, we could not forget to mention the wives of Mr Browne and Mr Crook, who also make Rogers their home, and have in turn helped to make it more of a home for us with kind gestures such as inviting us all to tea on occasions. Mrs Crook deserves special mention as she is also one of the nurses at the Health Centre who tirelessly worked to return the School to health during the Norovirus! Thank you so much to the both of you. Mr Crook is always kind and caring and will listen to you when you are going through hard times. He loves the outdoors and looks for the best in all boys. He is someone who will always have a laugh. Also, I would like to thank you for going on camp with the boys every step of the way. I also wish you all the best in Geelong. Thank you, Mr Crook.

Mr Browne, our Housemaster has an amazing understanding of each and every one of the boys in his care and manages to gently steer us in the right direction, maximising our strengths. There is not a Rogers boy who has not been involved in at least one weekend activity each term, often with Mr Browne’s guidance and encouragement. He is thoughtful, kind and encouraging and we all look up to him as a great role model. I think he also knows, deep down, that NSW got lucky this year! Thank you so much Mr Browne.

On behalf of the boys, I would like to thank the parents of Rogers for helping the boys throughout this school year and always being there for us. Thank you for giving us the opportunity of a lifetime and for sacrificing so much just to send us to this beautiful school. Lastly, I would like to thank the other Rogers boys of 2018. We have had a great year with many great memories that we will cherish forever and we’ve also faced the bad times but we have all come out of it great mates, and this is what shows Rogers really is a little band of brothers. Thank you for such an awesome year and all the best in your Senior Houses.

ROGERS HOUSE AWARDS

Matron’s Trophy ............................................... Jace Harrold

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

Most Improved Performance ...........................Wally Hacon

Donated by the Jackson Family. 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.

The Partridge Cup .......................................Harry Moloney

Academic Improvement. The boy who has demonstrated the greatest academic improvement in his time in Rogers House.

Senior Scholar .....................................................Nick Cuffe

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

The Sportsman Award................................... Griff Williams

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

The Max Brady Table Tennis Trophy ...........Mac Chandler

House Pool Champion....................................Charlie Lines

Donated by 2012 Graduating Year

House Chess Champion .........................Isaiah Hargreaves

Rogers Brotherhood Trophy ............................... Ben Postle

Students Student of the Year. 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) .

The Quiet Achiever Award ........................... Jack Cameron

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

The First “Best” Mate................ Jack Raff and Jace Harrold

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

All-round Development ..................................Lachlan Frith

Donated by the Hastie Family. The boy that has demonstrated the greatest proficiency in the greatest number of facets of school life.

The Luke Glover Memorial Award ..............Mac Chandler

Housemasters Award for High Proficiency and Good Citizenship.