Joe is back at Karate and is elected Form Captain

Last night Joe attended his first Soo Bahk Do Karate class in Murrumbeena which is near Oakleigh. Joe enjoyed his first class and among his other commitments is hoping to achieve his black belt (or rather Midnight Blue) belt this year. Even though he could have achieved it earlier, it is his hard work, consistency and commitment to all things he undertakes that is a source of pride to us rather than a race to complete something. We are so fortunate that there is a direct link between the Melbourne and Darwin clubs and there is a chance that Joe may even get a chance to grade before Kwan Jang Nim (Master) H.C. Hwang himself.

Today as we returned from dropping Bianka off at scouts – she is the last woman (all of 12 years old) in her troop and loves the scout movement… we were driving down Centre Rd and Helen noticed a boy wearing a Melbourne High uniform walking towards Warrigal Road. “That’s Joe” She exclaimed and we were able to safely pull over and pick him up. There had been a number of train cancellations today and Joe had come home a slightly different route and by chance we were there at the same time.

After getting into the car he informed us that he had been elected Form Captain for his form. Rather than being the job that no one wants, there were no less than 12 boys in the same form vying for either Form Captain or SRC Representative.

Violin lessons restart on Thursday and Joe also informed us that during his 1km trial on the ergometer or indoor rowing machine he achieved the fastest time of his group which lifted him after suffering a cramp during a beep test held the previous day.

So realising that it sounds like Joe is doing nothing but playing sport and going on camps and excursions, he is also studying and completing assignments for subjects like Japanese and Maths.

As parents we are more involved with other parents from the school and the transition pack sent home contains great information that genuinely assists both parents and their children in adapting to this new form of schooling. There is the first formal parent teacher interview next Tuesday, preceded this Friday by a rowing bbq (after the lightning affected attempt last month) and a quiz night where parents and kids can come along and socialise. Melbourne High is definitely more than a school, it is a way of life.