Term 1

With only 4 school days this week we sure did get through a lot of activities. We played tag gridiron, our panel of rugby league experts reviewed round 4 of the NRL and gave me, Mr Pursche, some much needed tipping advice, games continued with 4 square ping pong, touch football, basketball and indoor cricket. The highlight of the week for all of us at Clontarf was heading up to Moree to meet with some of the NRL and NRLW players. You'll see some of our boys, proudly wearing their Clontarf gear interacting with the players, in a short clip on the Matty Johns show (Thursday night show at the 10 minute mark). 

Our top trainers for Term1 were all invited to Moree for the launch of a new NSW Government, NRL and NSW Police program called "Project Pathfinder". NSW Premier, Chris Minns, and Chairperson of the Australian Rugby League Commission, Peter V'landys, both spoke on the importance of the programme for local youth. The boys listened patiently, but were most impressed by the presence of NRL players,

Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Tyrone Munroe, and NRLW players Quincy Dodd and Rhiannon Byers. The boys were treated to skills and drills run by the NRL, as well as photos and signatures from all the players.

The boys finished the day off with a game of touch, a big feed and lending a hand to help clean up the ovals. The boys represented the Clontarf Foundation and our Narrabri Academy well. Special shout out to Jarrad Lawler, Rydell Kelly and Clinton Lamb for going above and beyond on the day. Exceptional display of Clontarf Spirit.

Monday next week we will be holding our Term 1 Clontarf family BBQ. Monday 8^th of April from 5:30pm onwards open invite for all Clontarf members, their families and school staff. A thank you from Clontarf for the term and allowing us to work with you to get the best for the boys.

Clontarf students are welcome to stay back after school on Monday to assist with preparation and setup.

Our final camp for term 1 is coming up next week. Ash, Corey and 8 of our year 11 and 12 students are travelling to Salamander Bay for the Clontarf senior league carnival. The boys will be trailing to play in the Clontarf Rugby League State of Origin. Last year both Isaiah Cochrane and Clarence Morgan made it on to the team and represented Narrabri well. The day afterwards the boys will be travelling to Armidale for another rugby league trial. All the under 18s boys who made the zone team will be trailing for the Northwest team. All the best to our boys we hope you all play to the best of your abilities. 

All smiles around the Clontarf academy last week. Great to see so many of the boys benefiting from what the foundation has to offer.

On Tuesday afternoon our panel of experts analysed the best and worst plays of the weekend's NRL games. With insights into what they would have done differently and what teams will prosper in 2024. Something we'll do regularly through the NRL season. 

In preparation for the NW Clontarf touch carnival (postponed until further notice, no new date locked in yet) our morning trainings were dominated with quick dumbs, diving tags and the simple draw and pass. Our employment officer Luke “Tubby” Taylor stopped in for one of our sessions and he too noticed the improvement in the boy’s game. 

Due to the previously mentioned touch carnival being postponed, we took a group of the boys to Gwydir River at Bingara for a fun afternoon out. The boys made the most of the late change of plans and had an awesome afternoon out. We played some high stakes matches of rock, scissors, paper. Utilised the towns gym equipment, went swimming, fishing and of course played touch football. 

Last week was flat out, with the Clontarf boys participating in community events (Clean Up Australia Day); meetings with the Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton, DIY projects repairing and beautifying our academy room door; dinner for Year 11 students with their families; early morning trainings; Ping Pong competitions; health and well-being sessions run by Centacare and a chess tournament. It's amazing to see so many of the boys taking advantage of the opportunities before them. 

Monday after school we wanted to give back to the school and we held our own mini Clean Up Australia Day, collecting rubbish from around the school yard and gardens. The boys capitalised on the bottles, cans and poppers found around the school, after collecting them we put them through the return and earn. All money raised will go to an end of year party in the Clontarf room on the last day of school. 

Later that evening we had a dinner at the Tourist Hotel for our Year 11 students, great to see the boys and their families turn up. The boys looked very sharp and they were intently listening to the messages delivered from Clayton Pursche Academy Director, Luke Stahlhut NSW NW Regional Manager and Simon Warden School Principal. We're here to help all Clontarf boys succeed at attaining their HSC and meaningful employment. 

Luke Stahlhut Clontarf NW Regional Manager and Luke Taylor Clontarf NW Employment Officer made the trip over for a couple of days. They joined in for both our afternoon activity and morning training sessions. On Tuesday afternoon the boys sanded back the academy door before giving it an undercoat. Watch this space to see the final product. We'll be beautifying the door and the academy room. Wednesday morning Ash Hynch ran the boys through some rugby league skills and drills. It was a well run morning with high participation. Boys were equally impressed with Corey Dixon's BBQ breakfast.

Luke Stahlhut, Corey Dixon, Isaiah Cochrane and Clarence Morgan had a meeting with the Honourable Mark Coulton Federal Member for Parkes. The boys discussed what is happening in the community at school and the impacts Clontarf have had on each of them. Mark gave the boys a glowing wrap. Both Isaiah and Clarence are excellent spokesmen for the Narrabri Clontarf Academy and continue to do us proud. 

Finally, a thank you to the ladies from Centacare who are coming into the academy each week to deliver health and wellbeing sessions for our young men. So far they have had workshops around the dangers of vaping or smoking and what healthy relationships look like.

On Monday afternoon of 20 February, we had 7 our Year 7-9 boys attend the school's homework club. Where Mrs. McGregor helped the boys with their work and even provided cupcakes as an extra treat for their efforts. We encourage all Clontarf boys who need any extra assistance with homework or assessments to come along on Monday afternoons. We do drop offs in town afterwards.

On Tuesday we sowed our garden with new vegetables and flowers. we hope to get a good crop throughout the term. 

Wednesday morning, we continued our morning training focusing on rugby league skills and drills. This will be our main focus of the term. In week 8 Years 8, 9 & 10 will have the chance to play in a Clontarf touch rugby league carnival against other academies in North West NSW and Darling Downs QLD. If any students want to play in the team’s, they best get down to morning trainings to practice their skills.

Thursday was the big one. Full day at school and then off to the twilight swimming carnival.  We had over 50% of the boys enrolled in Clontarf attend the swimming carnival. It was a well run and fun carnival. Good to see the Clontarf students competing in so many events. Some great photos on the school's website. 

Of our four Year 12 students three attended a leadership camp in South West Rocks through the week. Once we have photos we will touch on the accomplishments of our boys.