From the Head of the Preparatory School
Athletics Championships
Earlier this week we held this year’s Prep School Athletics Championship. It was a great day, full of sunshine, House spirit and great performances. It was fantastic to see the boys engaging in all manner of events. This year we incorporated a range of House events in addition to the individual races and field events. Boys competed in their Houses for valuable points in tunnel ball, captain ball and relays. A great day was had by all!
At Monday’s House Assembly Mr Bremner will announce the results from this year’s Athletics Carnival. I know that this announcement is eagerly anticipated by the boys so I will hold off sharing this news with the wider community until next week.
Nude Food Picnic and House Challenge
While on the theme of House competitions, on Thursday we held the inaugural Nude Food Picnic and House Challenge. This event has arisen from a growing conversation across the School about managing our waste in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner. In recent months we have installed waste management stations across the School that consist of three bins; general waste, co-mingled recycling and organic waste. We have been using a variety of teaching opportunities to educate the students about waste management. We know that the boys love competition so we decided it would be fun to turn this educative process into a House competition built around the concept of nude food – food that leaves no waste in the form of packaging that can’t be recycled.
The premise of the Nude Food House Challenge was simple…be the House that produced the least waste to be the winner. I am pleased to say that the initiative was a great success resulting in significantly less waste than normal and presenting numerous opportunities for conversations about waste management. Remarkably and encouragingly, each House failed to fill a small bin with their general waste with Hilliard being declared the winning House, followed by School, Archer and Henderson.
Our hope is that this is just the beginning and that students and their families might continue to consider what they bring to school so as to limit our School’s general waste.
Brainstorm Productions – social emotional skill development and resilience
On Monday this week we welcome Brainstorm Productions to deliver their Sticks and Stones show. The show is a fun and inclusive student wellbeing program for primary schools that reinforces positive relationships and supports vulnerable children to build confidence and social and emotional skills. These types of learning opportunities supplement the regular teaching and learning in this area that largely takes place through our GROWTH programme and the Who We Are unit of inquiry. GROWTH stands for Growing Relationships, Ourselves, Wellbeing, Thinking and Hopefulness. This programme consists of explicit teaching as well as opportunities for reflecting on current situations through structure Circle Time sessions.
Musica Viva
On Thursday we had the privilege of welcoming performers from Musica Viva. This year’s performance was a music and acrobatic presentation called Timmy and the Breakfast Band.
The musicians performed examples of Classical, Jazz and Bluegrass styles on a range of instruments that explored the connection between Music and Emotions, Music and Movement and Folk Music. Performances like this are invaluable in exposing the students to different styles of music but also giving them a sense of where the hard work in practicing an instrument can lead.
Prep School Trivia Night
As I write this, there is a sense of anticipation as we count down the hours until the Prep School Trivia Night. Billed as a battle between parents and teachers, there is a lot on the line as trivia buffs and novices alike put their memories and general knowledge to the test. In all seriousness, I am very much looking forward to an opportunity to connect in a social setting with parents and to continue to build the great sense of partnership and community that we have at the Prep School. My sincere thanks go to the Auxiliary for their organisation of this evening’s event.
Strathfield Auxiliary Annual General Meeting – save the date
The Strathfield Auxiliary is a very important part of the Prep School. It provides an opportunity for parents to work together with one another and the staff to enhance the life of the School. This takes the form of parent, student and community events, as well as being a valuable forum for discussing school-based matters with myself and other key staff members. Over the years, we have been blessed with a high level of parental involvement and some very committed and enthusiastic people to serve the school community through their involvement in, and leadership of, the Auxiliary.
The Annual General Meeting will take place on Friday 26th August at 8:30am in the Year 5 Learning Centre. This is the perfect opportunity for parents to begin, continue or strengthen their involvement with the Auxiliary. I appreciate the fact that as parents we all lead busy lives, however, I want to urge you to consider coming along to the meeting. Involvement in the Auxiliary can be informal or formal, and is at whatever level you are comfortable. We are always seeking new parents to join the team to continue the great work that has taken place in recent years to enhance our great community. Being a member of the Auxiliary is also a great way for parents of younger boys to get to know others and to have an influence on the future of their son’s schooling experience while they are at the Prep.
Outdoor Education Camps
Term 3 is the term when all boys in Years 3-6 head off on their overnight outdoor education camps. These camps are compulsory parts of the Trinity Educational experience. Year 3 Camp is a one-night camp at Crusaders Galston Campsite, Year 4 is a two-night camp at Anglican Youthworks – Rathane in the Royal National Park, Year 5 will spend three nights at Anglican Youthworks – Waterslea on the Shoalhaven River, and Year 6 four nights at Somerset Outdoor Learning Centre near the Colo River. For families of boys in Years 3 to 6, now is a good time to begin preparations for the camps especially for the Year 3 and Year 4 boys who would not have been away on a school camp previously. At each of the camps our staff plan programmes with the campsite’s Outdoor Education professionals to ensure a safe, fun and challenging time for all boys. The camps assist in the boys’ development of independence, collaboration, responsibility and life skills. Year 3 and 4 Camps take place in Week 9 and Year 5 and 6 Camps will be in Week 10.
Year 1 and 2 Grandparents’ Day
We are excited to be able to once again hold our Grandparents’ Day after being limited in recent years by COVID and associated restrictions. Grandparents play such a key role in the lives of young people. I know from personal experience that grandparents love to be involved in the lives of their grandchildren, to know what life is like for them, to hear their stories and to spend special time with them. Grandparents’ Day offers an opportunity for all of this to happen. On Tuesday 9th August we will be holding the Year 1 and 2 Grandparents’ Day. I know the boys are very eager and proud to show off their classroom and some of their work. We look forward to welcoming many visitors on the day. We would appreciate receiving RSVPs to assist with catering via this LINK.
Hilliard and School House Chapel Service
On Sunday, 21st August we will be hosting a House Chapel Service for boys in Years 3-6 in Hilliard and School Houses and their families. The Service will begin at 10:00am in the War Memorial Chapel at Summer Hill. All boys in Hilliard and School Houses are expected to attend this service. All families in these Houses are encouraged to attend and to join in a time of community worship. Boys are to be dressed in their school uniform for this service.
Football fixtures on Number 2 Oval at Summer Hill
Tomorrow, our Open Football teams have a unique opportunity that has previously only been enjoyed by our 1st XV Rugby team. The 6B and C teams will play their games on the hallowed, and recently re-laid, synthetic turf of Number 2 Oval at the Summer Hill campus. The teams will play as the pre-cursor to the Year 10A’s, 2nd XI and 1st XI. Our 6A’s will be the ‘main game’ immediately following the 1st XI. This presents a fabulous opportunity for the students to experience the excitement of playing at Summer Hill but also the chance to interact and watch the boys in the School’s elite senior teams.
Upcoming Events
| Date | Description |
| Wed 3 Aug | Years 2&4 Allwell Testing Catch-Up (Diagnostic Testing) |
| Fri 5 Aug | IPSHA Debating – St Euphemia College |
| Mon 8 Aug | Annual Head Master’s Dash |
| Tue 9 Aug | Year 1 and 2 Grandparents’ Day |
| Wed 10 Aug | TAG Meeting |
Chris Wyatt | Head of the Preparatory School
