From the Head of the Preparatory School

Twosday 2022

Earlier this week, we channelled the inner mathematics nerd in all of us as we celebrated Twosday 2022. For those not aware, Tuesday’s date was 22.02.2022, making it a palindrome, a reality that occurs on only very rare occasions.

One of the things we have committed to doing as a school this year is to have fun together. This was a necessity last year as we supported one another through COVID, however, we have reflected that there is no reason it shouldn’t form part of every year.

So, on Tuesday 22.02.2022, each class did something for 22 seconds, or 22 times. This simple act was a helpful reminder of the importance of laughing with, and at, one another and making the most of every day. Here is a short video that captured the boys’ Twosday fun.

Pancake Day / Week

Following a similar theme, we have decided to celebrate Shrove Tuesday this year. Perhaps more commonly known by some as Pancake Day, this day is the day before the period of Lent.

Next Tuesday, we will be having a small House-based competition where the House Masters and House Captains and Vice Captains will be having a bake-off of sorts. Their task will be simple…cook the best, fanciest, tastiest pancakes as judged by special guests, Macca and Kenny. House points will be awarded accordingly. We are also inviting students and families to get involved by doing likewise over the course of next week from Tuesday 1^st to Sunday 6^th March. Simply cook pancakes and upload a picture to the relevant House Seesaw page. Points will be awarded for every entry, although bonus points will also be awarded for particularly fancy creations. The winning House will be awarded based on the participation and culinary expertise of the students in each House. A brief promo video can be found here.

New Parent Information Session and School Tour – Wednesday 9^th March

We appreciate the last couple of years have been challenging for new parents to our school as we have been unable to welcome them onto the school grounds as part of the drop off and pick up experience. This has no doubt made it difficult to get a true sense of the boys’ learning experience. The good news is there is light at the end of the tunnel!

Whilst we are not quite ready to throw open the gates on a daily basis, we are keen to create an opportunity for new parents to our school to come for a visit and to spend some time hearing about our approach to learning and teaching at the Prep School. On Wednesday 9^th March, beginning at 4:45pm, we will be running a school tour and PYP information session for new parents. The afternoon will consist of a tour of the relevant areas of the School and an opportunity to hear from the Prep Executive about the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) which frames the students’ learning experience.

We are very comfortable for you to decide on the definition of ‘new’. In essence, if you feel that you would benefit from this experience, please join us! We anticipate being joined by many Pre-K and Kindy families as well as some of the newer families from across the School.

If you are planning to join us for the tour and information session, please RSVP via this link. Please note that students are not to attend this event.

Auxiliary Meeting

The next Auxiliary Meeting will also take place on Wednesday 9^th March to give all parents a chance to visit the School and for our new parents to connect on another level with the School community. The Auxiliary meeting will take place in the new Year 6 Learning Centre from 6:00-7:00pm, immediately following the New Parent Tour and Information Session.

Auxiliary Meetings are great opportunities to increase your knowledge of the wider activities of the School community, as well as providing an opportunity to get involved (the latter is optional). Encouragingly, the last meeting had a number of new parents in attendance.

COVID Coffee Catch ups

Encouraged by the attendance at a recent new parents’ Coffee and Chat Catch Up, we are planning to run these a few times each term to provide parents with an informal opportunity to ask questions, share insights or just to chat with members of the Prep Executive. There is deliberately no agenda for these catch ups, but they have proven to be very valuable in recent years for staff and parents alike. The next Coffee and Chat Catch Up will be held on Tuesday 15^th March at Profiterole Patisserie, just up on Liverpool Road.

If there are particular focus areas that parents are interested in us addressing, please let us know and we would be happy to speak to them.

Year 3 Sport

Last week was the first week of our Year 3 Sport programme and from all reports the boys enjoyed the opportunity to put themselves to the test in game situations against boys from the Prep and Junior Schools. Unfortunately, this afternoon’s session has had to be moved back to the Prep School due to the ongoing threat of rain. On a positive, the students will be able to make use of the new undercover Basketball Court and Gym at the Prep School.

Whilst the following is now irrelevant for this afternoon, parents are asked to adhere to the following when picking boys up from Year 3 Sport at the Summer Hill campus in future weeks. This is very important to support the traffic management during a very busy time of picking up.

• Boys participating in Year 3 Sport will be brought to the Kiss and Drop area parallel to the carpark lanes.
• Parents should come down the first aisle after entering the car park.
• Students will be ready for pick up at 4:20pm. Please don’t arrive early as it is not possible to queue.
• If you must come early, please park and join the queue no earlier than 4:15pm.

OSHClub

As previously communicated, students participating in after school activities must be registered with OSHClub in case parents are caught up and not able to pick up their son at the designated time. This is also the case for boys who participate in a co-curricular activity at the Summer Hill campus, including Year 3 Sport. These students should be registered for OSHClub at the Summer Hill campus in addition to the Prep campus. Registration is free and can be done online at https://www.oshclub.com.au.

Archer and Henderson House Chapel Service

The first of the House Family Chapel Services will be held on Sunday, 20^th March for boys in Years 3-6 in Archer and Henderson Houses. The Service will begin at 10:00am in the War Memorial Chapel at Summer Hill. All boys in Archer and Henderson 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.

Umbrellas

The last week has been a challenge with the regular rain showers we have been experiencing. This is particularly tricky in the afternoon as we dismiss the students. Keeping the boys dry throughout this experience is obviously a high priority. To do this in the most effective and safe manner, we request that students bring a raincoat and not an umbrella. Umbrellas add a significant risk element as the students attempt to navigate their way amongst their peers.

Smart Watches

There appears to be an emergence of students wearing smart watches. Whilst I can appreciate the many benefits that come from these watches, I request that parents consider alternative options given the high propensity for these to become distractions for young learners. If students do wear smart watches to school, they must not have cellular capacity, or this must be disabled during the school day. Students are not permitted to communicate via their watch (or any other device) with parents or others during the school day, regardless of the context. Any urgent communication can occur through the School Office.

Kids Giving Back

I recently received an email from ‘Kids Giving Back’ informing me of the contribution of a few of the Prep students over the Christmas holiday period. Kiaan Sritharan, Joshua Tsang, and David Safian joined others to prepare 5000 meals, care packs and new backpacks of school supplies for those in need. It is great to hear of students taking action about things that they are passionate about and making a difference in the community.

Chris Wyatt | Head of the Preparatory School

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” John 15:12-14