From the Head of the Preparatory School
If the last 18 months has taught us anything, it is that it is unwise to assume anything. Just as we had settled into a rhythm with remote learning, a number of the staff and students have had to adjust quickly due to the temporary closure of the Prep campus. I have found myself learning to share and juggle as I have settled into the new normal of working remotely from home.
In my video message that was emailed to parents yesterday (and can be found here or viewed below), I reflected with pride about the way the Prep learning community continues to rise to the occasion of remote learning by prioritising student learning and the wellbeing of all stakeholders, and remaining committed to a sense of good fun. I trust that this week’s first Wellbeing Wednesday provided parents, students and teachers alike with a chance to recalibrate in the middle of the week. Focusing on striking a balance between mind, body and spirit is critically important for our individual and collective wellbeing at the moment.
Parenting resources
Parenting under the current circumstances can be particularly challenging in light of the need to juggle personal and professional responsibilities, coupled with anxiety associated with COVID. One of the things that I have become increasingly aware of as I have chatted with people recently is the need to reach out for help if, and when, it is needed. If you are in this position yourself, I want to encourage you that there is help available whether it be simply to touch base with someone or to seek more substantial support. This resource has been prepared by Trinity’s Counsellor Department to provide parents with resources and contacts should they need support in the area of parenting.
Lip Sync Battle
This week’s fun centred around the Prep School Lip Sync Battle. Inspired by the effort of the staff last week (perhaps I’m assuming too much), the boys have channelled their inner popstar to create some fantastic videos that can be found at the link below. I hope they make you smile as they did me.
I want to express my thanks to the creative directors (teachers and support staff) who have helped to pull these videos together and to the boys for taking part so enthusiastically.
Amazing Me
On Wednesday night we held the annual Amazing Me presentations for boys and parents. We were joined online by 40 families for the Year 3 session and 52 families for the Year 5 session.
The sessions explored maters of personal development and sex education. Amazing Me is an external service delivered by Rowena Thomas, an experienced Christian Educator. Both sessions incorporated outcomes from the Personal Development, Health and Physical Education syllabus and provide an introduction that teachers will further unpack in class. The latter session specifically addressed consent and respectful relationships in an age-appropriate manner.
Prep School Walkathon – ‘The Prep School Goes West’
We are very conscious of three stark realities at the moment; all of us are running the risk of too much screen time and a lack of exercise, secondly we are all frustrated by our inability to travel, and thirdly there are people in the local community who are in need of practical support at the moment. So, we have come up with a plan to counteract this…the Prep School Walkathon.
Unlike our usual Walkathons, this year’s Walkathon will be harnessing the success of the recent Prep Olympics, and will be a House-based competition to see which House (or the Staff team) can walk the furthest over the next two school weeks. To make it interesting, we thought we would head west so we can virtually enjoy the sights and sounds of parts of our country beyond our current bubble.
Rather than raising money for our school community, the Auxiliary have agreed that the focus of our fundraising should be for those in the local community that need it more than us. As such, we are encouraging families to consider making a donation to The Exodus Foundation who provide meals and support for people sleeping rough in Ashfield and surrounding areas. Donations can be made directly through this link. Families are encouraged to write ‘Trinity Prep’ in the notes section so that we can keep track of, and celebrate, our collective contribution.
How will it work?
- The Walkathon begins next Monday 30th August and will continue until Friday 10th September. (Please note the starting date in yesterday’s email was incorrect.)
- Each day, students are encouraged to walk / run / jump / skip as many steps as they can. There are many different ways to count steps including some fitness watches or smart phones that include pedometers. Parents are encouraged to get involved by taking the boys out each day to increase their steps.
- Each day, students are encouraged to enter their steps by 6:00pm via this link which can also be found on the information sheet below.
- Steps will be tallied each day in House groups and this link will show how far west each House has made it.
- There will be ten $50 Rebel Sport vouchers to be won. The winners will be drawn randomly from the entries on Friday 10th September.
Click HERE for The Prep School goes West Information Sheet.
Father Son Camp
A camp I hear you say?! Yes, that’s right! Whilst the current restrictions prevent us from running our planned outdoor education camps, we have decided to find a way to enjoy the fun of camping and to provide another break from the current ‘normal’. We also know that dads love camping (well some do anyway), so we thought we would try and tie them together where possible. If dad can’t join in, it is fine to invite mum, a brother, a sister, a pet, or anyone else who lives in the house.
So, we are encouraging the boys to find a night next week (our suggestion is Friday 3rd or Saturday 4th) to set up a camp out in the house, the backyard, the garage or wherever works, and invite dad to join in. This could involve a tent, bedsheets hung over chairs to create a cubby, or any other creative ideas that the boys might come up with.
To ensure it is the full camping experience, we suggest that some fun activities be included in the experience as well as the boys helping to cook dinner or breakfast to spoil dad for Father’s Day.
We invite you to send photos in via this link so we can celebrate the joy of camping and dads!
Click HERE for the Father & Son Camp Information Sheet.
“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
2 Timothy 3:14-15
Chris Wyatt | Head of the Preparatory School
