The Clontarf Foundation’s Berri Academy officially opened its doors in Term 2 of this year, and after a full term of activity in Term 3, it’s clear that the academy has kicked off with an impressive start. From community engagements to exciting outdoor adventures, the boys at Berri have embraced the program with enthusiasm, diving into the diverse range of activities offered.
A Thrilling Start to Clontarf Life
Berri Academy wasted no time in getting the academy members involved in various initiatives. Highlights of Term 3 included team-building exercises, leadership development and community service. The boys have taken part in numerous excursions, including their first-ever community project helping build a mud pit at Berri Kindergarten. This hands-on work showcased the students’ strong work ethic and commitment to teamwork.
A significant aspect of the Berri Academy’s opening has been the opportunity for the boys to bond and engage with one another, as well as with students from other Clontarf Academies across South Australia. This sense of community is at the heart of the Clontarf program, encouraging leadership and personal growth.
Year 7/8 Big Day Out
On Tuesday of Week 6, Berri Academy hosted its first ever Big Day Out for Year 7 and 8 academy members. The boys headed off to the Berri Marina for a day of adventure, where they met instructors Joe and Chris from Barmera Aquatics for a basic kayak lesson. After gaining confidence, the group ventured out onto the river, enjoying the sights of birds, fish, and even an old paddle steamer.
The day wasn’t just about kayaking. After their time on the water, the boys had the chance to kick the footy, try their hand at fishing and enjoy a BBQ lunch together. The boys showed great enthusiasm, with many stepping out of their comfort zones to try new things. Special mentions go to Jordan Broughton, who caught his first-ever fish, and Sam Golding, who went above and beyond helping others with their fishing rods.
Family Meet and Greet
Family engagement is crucial to the success of any Clontarf Academy, and Berri is no exception. On 11 September, Berri Academy held its first family meet and greet. The boys were excited to show their families photos of their experiences so far and discuss the plans and opportunities ahead.
The event was a positive and lively afternoon filled with food, fun and laughter. Some families played basketball outside, while others stayed inside to chat or enjoy a game of table tennis. The sense of community and excitement was palpable and we’re looking forward to even bigger turnouts at future events.
My First Experience with Clontarf
By Gabriel Thornton, Year 10, Berri Academy
“My first experience with Clontarf was traveling to Salisbury North to watch a football match between other Clontarf Academies. This trip was great and there was lots of excitement from all the boys. I had lots of fun being on the footy oval taking photos and trying to capture some good action shots for the academies involved.
This trip was awesome because I got to engage with other Clontarf members from other academies and get to know everyone. After the football match, we all sat together for lunch and had plenty to eat.
If I had to do it all again, I would have joined in the footy game.
This trip was the best.
I was involved in our first community activity in helping the Berri Kindergarten build their own mud pit. This was a lot of hands on work, with some of us shovelling sand into the wheelbarrow, moving the wheelbarrow and dumping the sand in an area where someone was levelling it. The lady from the Kindergarten was kind enough to give us water and cookies.
This was hard work but everyone did their job and got the job done. GREAT TEAMWORK!”
