Reach Out Project _________________________Pages

Reach Out Project

The Reach Out Project is a collaborative project between students and staff that Benji Mangar lead. A fantastic initiative from a student who has stepped up for his peers during this tricky term. Benji compiled these messages into a booklet to share amongst students and staff.

TOM CASHIN

In Year 10, I went to a new school. A boarding school that was extremely academically driven. I was overwhelmed with an intense workload and at least 2 hours of homework a night. At the end of the first week feeling unworthy and not up to the change in environment and work, I called my Dad in tears. Mid way through hearing my concerns and frustrations, Dad stopped me and said “How do you eat an Elephant?”. Frustrated I responded “Are you even listening!?”. He responded “Tom please stop and think, How do you eat an Elephant?”. I was clueless. He answered his question. “Bit by bit. Don’t worry about what is to come. Work on what is in front of you.” To this day I live by that same advice.

BENJI MANGAR

We may be in a very difficult time right now, but I cannot stress enough that we are all in this together, you are loved and cared for. Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle. Stay safe and strong, I love you all!

SIMON TAYLOR

“It’s a great day for the ‘race’ boys, so be sure to get high on life!”

TONY PAATSCH

YOU MATTER!

TOM BROOKS

Everyone in the school should be so incredibly proud of themselves. Getting through not only the most disrupted school year of our lives, but possibly ever here at Joeys. It’s been hard, challenging and difficult, but the fact that we have gotten through it is really amazing. We as a school have to keep pushing, and I can already see the light at the end of the tunnel. Well done on getting through this really tough period for us all. I know that we not only grown as individuals, but as a whole entire College.

MARK KENNEDY

Good people get good results.

JANINE McLEAN

When my life had taken a dramatic change in direction that I wasn’t prepared for I was pretty devastated. In just four days a lot happened. A dear brother died from cancer and was buried on the Friday and my husband of twenty years left me on the Monday. A wise woman/ counsellor told me this little phrase; “This too will pass. Nothing stays the same good or bad.” Meaning that particular moments, feelings and plans are never how things will stay forever. You can let them pass through you and go on. This has been a comfort to me for 17 years.

TOM CORRAY

Might seem tough now boys but there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel, hang in there.

TANIA WILLARD

The pain will pass and the sun will shine again.

WILLIAM BAUM

Our year level has experienced incredible hardships this year and everyone of us has felt it. It’s inspiring to see how we’ve come together to support each other throughout everything and I believe by the end of our time at Joey’s that bond will be stronger than any other year before us.

CASSANDRA GLEESON

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the COURAGE to CONTINUE that counts”

CONNOR TINO

We’ve already experienced a year of shock and emotions that have changed life we consider normal. However this time has enabled us to persevere and overcome many hardships thrown our way. All we can do now is keep persisting and push through the rest of this year, stay strong and hang in there!

REACH OUT

Reach Out Project

CLAIRE WALKER

I was in Year 12 when my mental illness was diagnosed, (I’d been showing signs since childhood, and yes, I was the kid that turned light switches on and off and I’m proud of it.) My journey from being diagnosed and coming to finally accept that I will have this illness for life was a difficult one, one that almost took me from this world. I’m eternally grateful it didn’t. It took my childhood friend calling me in tears from Sweden, where he’d moved years ago, for me to realise that I have impact and purpose. That we all do.

There has always been a stigma around mental health and I am SO PROUD of the Joey’s community for opening up and being honest, it takes courage, and I feel incredibly grateful to be part of a community that I know will catch me if I stumble. Keep on reaching out boys, the world needs people like you.

FINN LAFFY

Obviously this year has thrown a roller coaster of emotions our way, many of these emotions and feelings have been negative, however of the current experiences these are only and will only be temporary, I can assure you that at the end of this long and treacherous storm, many positives and appreciation will come of it. But for the time being, we need to get around each other, lend a helping hand and bring others who are down up with us, we are Joey’s boys and together we are strong.

JASON O’CONNELL

These are not normal times, it is OK not to feel normal.

MARK DEVERALL

Boys, if you all could only understand the love that there is for each and every one of you. You are all amazing. If you read these words I hope they scream at you. They shout at you with rage and hurt but in care. They have anger not at you but at that moment that you might doubt yourself and at that point where you let doubt pervade thinking. Being vulnerable is OK. Being vulnerable and feeling awkward is OK and a part of life. Anything in the modern world is really OK and the only thing that isn’t is hurting yourself. If I ever could take any pain from any of you I would, as would many others. We all feel and share pain and we have all found life challenging most of the time. We aren’t meant to be perfect and we do not need to conform to any perceived idea of masculinity or identity from someone else or a group, or the media, and rather need to just form our own opinion over the decades. I hope it soon becomes normal for us to tear down the hidden emotion that we carry and have a safe and supportive response from everyone to help each other cope, be and act how you want to be, without fear of judgment or difference. Reach out if you ever need for any thought and don’t ever be afraid to express your thoughts. The trials and tribulations of life test us all and slowly we all realise that the skill is dealing with responses to life’s predicaments. Please remember although it is often unstated by us adults or teachers you are all bloody radically different unique remarkable young men, each and every single one of you.

SOLOMON FRANCIS

Hang in there guys I know it’s been a super tough year but if we stick together and keep checking in with our mates we’ll all pull through and be that much closer as a group because of it. Keep in mind that a good conversation can save a life and remember that It gets better even though sometimes it feels like it won’t.

MARK TURNER

“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it” -Maya Angelou

JOEL EDWARDS

You’ve heard it a million times but we are all in this together, and it’s important to talk to friends and family, you are more important than you realise, so stay strong and stay safe!

MICHELLE ANDERSON

“Let everything happen to you. Beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final.” - Rainer Maria Rilke

OSCAR MORRISON

There is bound to be good times and with those come bad times. Maintain resilience and know nothing is ever as good, or as bad as it seems and relish each opportunity as an experience that can make you a wiser person. Enjoy the ups and learn from the downs and know at the end of the day the people that truly love and care for you will be there no matter what.

ANGELA GIONIS

You are amazing and loved by everyone for just being you. Take one day at a time and be kind to yourself. You are not alone. Keep warm and well.

ANTON RIDGWAY

It goes without saying that right now, life is tough and it’s hard to maintain hope when bad things just keep happening. But there is nothing more of a priority right now than the wellbeing of yourself, your friends and your family. Take time to do whatever it is that makes you happy and feel good, encourage and support your peers, be yourself and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise and most importantly spread some love around in whatever way you can, it’s needed now more than ever.

Life is the most precious thing we have and what’s happening now is just a small fraction of what lies ahead of us. Things can ALWAYS get better and never be afraid to ask for help and guidance, there is always someone to listen and a new way to problem solve.

MICHELLE CAMERON

There is always light at the end of the tunnel

Reach Out Project

PATRICK VISENTIN

Boys, the importance of us all sticking together at this time, not only as a cohort but as mates, is massive. It is a difficult time for us, no doubt. We all need to unite together as a group and get through this together. So fellas, please keep your mates close and look out for one another. A simple question like ‘how you going mate?’ can go a long way for someone.

Please never forget that there are a wide variety of people and support services willing to help you out to make sure you don’t have to go through anything alone. I’m always here myself for anyone wanting to have a chat about anything. Please stay safe and stay strong boys.

MICHAEL DAVIES

“There is neither happiness nor unhappiness in this world; there is merely the comparison of one state to the other. Only a person who has felt ultimate despair is capable of feeling ultimate bliss.” - Alexandre Dumas didn’t know that Alexandre played golf...

ANDREW DOWD

There will be many chapters in your life. Don’t get lost in the one you are in now. Forget it enough to get over it, remember it enough so it doesn’t happen again.

TYLER JONES

A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.

MONIKA ERCOLI

“Be Yourself. Life is precious as it is. All the elements for your happiness are already here. There is no need to run, strive, search, or struggle. Just Be.” –Thich Nhat Hanh

BAILYN JENKINS

Why escape your intended purpose by copying and trying to be someone else?

You will discover who you were meant to be only after you have shown confidence being yourself.

CHRISTINE ROWLAND

Don’t let the negative voices win. The best years of your life don’t start until your 20s and 30s so stay strong. The strength you build up from now to your adult life is super important, because when the amazing moments happen, you feel them deeply and love them so much more.

LEAH IRVING

When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down “happy”. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life. When you do something beautiful and nobody noticed, do not be sad. For the sun, every morning is a beautiful spectacle and yet most of the audience still sleeps. It matters not who you love, where you love, why you love, when you love or how you love, it matters only that you love. Declare it. Just the same way we declare war. That is how we will have peace… we just need to declare it. A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality. Love is a promise, love is a souvenir, once given never forgotten, never let it disappear. You don’t need anybody to tell you who you are or what you are. You are what you are! There’s nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be…

There are no problems, only solutions. Love is all you need.

CASSANDRA COOGAN

Believe in yourself, you can do it. You will get through this. Seek strength from within, support from others and look forward to tomorrow.

WILL NEWTON

Always strive to achieve your goals and get the best out of yourself. There will be challenges and set backs along the way, lean on the people around you for support and guidance.

JOHN HARMON

I am so proud of the way our boys have supported one another in these tough times.

DAN HALE

Keep life as simple as it can be – respect each other and yourself. Do things that make you happy. Reach out to your mates if you need. Speak up. It takes courage to ask for help – work with others.

ANDREW SCADDAN

If you can see the positive in the face of negativity, you will be better placed to have a positive impact on those around you.

MACAULAY KIRSOPP

I’ve been really impressed with the resilience and hard work that all the boys have shown during these tough times.