From the Head of the Preparatory School

Gala Concert

On Thursday night the School held the Gala Concert, our showpiece musical event of the year, at the City Recital Hall. After interruptions of COVID over the last couple of years it was wonderful to once again be able to join together as a whole School community without restrictions and celebrate the brilliant and expansive musical programme that exists at Trinity. One of the things I enjoy most about the Gala Concert is the opportunity for the Prep boys that attend to look ahead at the musical journeys and opportunities that are possible if they wish to pursue them as they move into and through the high school.

There were a number of highlights across the evening, however, it is hard not to be drawn to the involvement of the primary school boys in the Symphonic Wind Band’s performance of ‘Hymn to the Fallen’ from ‘Saving Private Ryan’. Further to this, and I am sure I am biased, but I thought the combined Prep and Junior School Choir’s performance of ‘When I grow up’ was great fun and super impressive.

My sincere congratulations to the entire Music Department across the School and particularly to Dr McGregor and Mrs Campbell for their leadership of the Summer Hill and Prep programmes respectively.

Professional Learning and Growth

As a PYP School we are absolutely committed to lifelong learning. This concept is based on the premise that inquiry and growth are part of what it means to be human regardless of age. Whilst teachers are committed to learning, it can be easy to fall into the trap of focusing purely on the students’ learning. This is often facilitated by the fact that teachers have limited interaction with other teachers when they are actually teaching…they can retreat to their own space and focus on their teaching.

I am pleased to say that this is definitely not the case at Trinity Prep. Professional learning is a cultural expectation at Trinity that is supported through a range of initiatives.

Over the course of this semester all of the teaching staff have participated in a Professional Learning Team (PLT). PLTs take place each semester and are designed to support and promote professional inquiry and learning. It has been wonderful to hear the enthusiasm of the teachers throughout the PLTs as they have gained new insights and made discoveries about boys, teaching methodologies and more. All of this learning has led to ongoing refinement of their teaching practice. Ultimately, if our teachers are learning and growing, our boys will benefit!

Author Visit

On Tuesday this week we were fortunate to host Kate and Jol Temple to share their books and insights about writing. Originally known for their book I Got This Hat which was selected for the National Simultaneous Storytime in 2016, the Temples provided an engaging presentation to the boys sharing snippets from their books and talking about their approach to writing. My thanks to the Library team for providing these types of opportunities on a regular basis. It is so important that we continue to promote a culture of reading and where literature is embraced and celebrated.

North Coast Sport Tour

Next week we have a number of boys heading off on the North Coast Sport Tour. We are sending joint Football and Rugby Teams made up of boys from both Prep and Junior School. The boys will play three games on the tour against Bishop Druitt Anglican College, The Armidale School and Scone Grammar School. We wish them well as they represent the School and enjoy these co-curricular opportunities.

Start of Term 3 – change of date

As previously communicated, this is a reminder that there has been a change to the start of Term 3 dates for this year. Students will now return to School for Term 3 on Wednesday 20th July, a day later than advertised in the Record Book. This change will allow the primary school teachers to undertake some further training in assessment techniques and bring the attendance of Prep School and Junior School students into line with classes in the Middle and Senior Schools.

Coming Up in Week 9

Chris Wyatt | Head of the Preparatory School

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-38