From the Head of the Preparatory School
End of Term Chapel
This afternoon we had the opportunity to gather all the Prep students together for an end of term Chapel. This has become our tradition at the beginning and end of each term. It provides a chance to reflect on the learning and growth that has occurred across all areas of school life and to give thanks to God for the way that he has sustained our learning community throughout the term. It was also an opportunity to reflect on the Bible verses that the boys have learnt at each of the Chapels this term.
Semester Report
This week you should have received an email notifying you that your son’s Semester One Report is available to be accessed online through your Trinity account. Throughout the report you will notice a strong emphasis on celebrating each boy’s growth and development as well as highlighting his ‘next steps in learning’. This focus is based on our firm belief that each and every boy is unique and is at a different point in his learning journey. We continue to work with the boys to instil a commitment to ongoing learning that is lifelong. This is sometimes referred to as students having a ‘growth mindset’. Rather than simply focusing on what has been achieved, students are committed to ongoing growth, making mistakes and perhaps most importantly, learning from them in the future. This semester you will see this captured through the student self-reflection which is given prime position on the front page alongside the teachers’ general comments. It has been exciting to read the students’ reflection and to see the high level of ownership they have in their learning and the goals they have set for themselves in the coming months. I encourage parents to engage the boys in a discussion about their self-reflection comment and the spidergraph that reflects on the students’ use of the Approaches to Learning across all areas of the curriculum. I hope that this provides a useful stimulus to celebrate growth and to set learning goals for the remainder of the year.
The information contained in the Semester Report should always be read in conjunction with the regular work samples and rubrics shared through Seesaw, Google Drive and the Unit of Inquiry books. Together, this provides a comprehensive summary of each boy’s learning journey this semester.
Walkathon
Today the boys will bring home information about our Walkathon which will take place on Thursday of Week 2 next term. This event is always a highlight as well as acting as the Auxiliary major fundraising effort for the year. We appreciate your support in getting behind this event. The money raised this year will be split, with part of it going to the Auxiliary to support future school projects and 20% going towards a charity or charities of the boys’ choice. The community’s generosity will allow the boys to experience the joy that comes from supporting others in greater need. We will provide an update once the charity or charities have been selected.
North Coast Tour
The School has been slightly quieter this week as a number of our Year 6 boys have been off-site on the North Coast Sports Tour. This tour provides boys with a valuable social and sporting opportunity as they mix with boys from other schools. From all reports, the boys had a fantastic time and three very competitive matches against Bishop Druitt, The Armidale School and Scone Grammar School. Thanks to Mr Bremner and Mr Short (as well as Mr Robinson and Mr Bishop from the Junior School) for taking good care of the boys while they were away.
Pre-Kindergarten enrolments
The Enrolments Department has just begun the process of enrolling our newest Trinitarians into Pre-Kindergarten for 2022. Demand for these places is often very competitive. I encourage families with boys wishing to be part of our wonderful Pre-K programme next year to contact the Enrolments Department now. Similarly, if you know families that are interested in sending their sons to Trinity, now is the time as it is becoming increasingly difficult to join Prep in later year levels.
Co-Curricular
This afternoon, confirmation emails about Term 3 co-curricular activities will be emailed to parents. Administrators of each activity will provide additional details at the beginning of next term.
Staffing
Today we farewelled several staff who are leaving the school for different reasons. Mr Johnson, our Youth Leader Intern, has finished his time with us and will now head back home to England. We wish Mrs Anshaw well as she takes long service leave in Term 3. Mrs Caddy and Mrs Levee depart on a temporary basis as they begin their maternity leave. We wish them God’s blessing on the arrival of their new family members. Mrs Levee’s teaching load will be covered by Mrs Sarah Cameron who will be joining us at the beginning of next term. We look to the boys benefiting from her significant Art teaching experience.
Term 3 start
Please be aware that Monday 12th July is a Staff Professional Development Day. All boys are expected back at school on Tuesday 13th July. We look forward to welcoming them back after a refreshing three-week break.
I hope that all members of the School community have a wonderfully refreshing break over the holidays and have a chance to spend quality time with family and friends. We look forward to the boys returning with enthusiasm for another busy term of learning.
‘But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.’
Isaiah 40:31
