By Ryan Harding, Mentor
For this year’s annual Sports Challenge trip to Singapore we found ourselves back at St Joseph’s Institution to conduct both a leadership and a focus program. We had a great team lined up from all corners of Australia to deliver the programs, with Jacqui Finnegan flying over from the head office in Perth, Margie Thompson from Brisbane, as well as Kieran McDowell and myself from Melbourne.
It would be an understatement to say there was a lot of excitement in the room when the boys arrived for their program. On the back of programs over the last few years Sports Challenge has developed a reputation amongst the St Joseph’s students as something they definitely want to be a part of!
Throughout the program the boys were put through their paces by the Sports Challenge mentors. They were challenged to learn and think about life skills such as team work, goal setting and communication, and then had the opportunity to put these skills into action in the group ‘hands on’ activities. It was great to see the boys contribute so openly in group discussion, and then to see some competitive spirit and great leadership shown in the activities. Each boy received their own journal not only to work through during the program, but to take with them to refresh their new skills when needed.
A personal highlight was watching the boys battle it out in an activity we call ‘The Swamp Crossing’. This involved the boys having to transport an entire group of 6 – 7 over an imaginary swamp (the grass in the middle courtyard) without touching the ground. To do this they are given mats or magical ‘lilypads’ as we like to call them which they can step on. The contest came right down to the wire, despite all teams having setbacks and difficulties to overcome along the way. Fantastic teamwork was shown by all.
Overall I really felt like the boys gained something from their time in the program. Even if it’s just one skill they can take away, or a positive influence one of us had on them in some small way, then I would consider the program a success. Big thanks to Sundaram (Head of Department, Student Services) for supporting us in every way, and to the boys also for putting in a great effort! Well Done.
We have already many emails from the boys via our websites ‘e-pal’ feature and hope to receive many more!