Prep School

Prep value of the week: commitment

Commitment is caring deeply about something or someone. It involves carefully considering and deciding what you want to do, then giving it 100 per cent, holding nothing back. You show commitment by giving your all to a friendship, a task or something you believe in. You finish what you start and keep your promises.

Attribute of the week: risk takers

Risk takers approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and they have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.

Mr Clicketty Cane at Churchie

Last week, boys in Reception to Year 3 attended a concert by notable children’s entertainer, songwriter and producer Peter Combe OAM. Peter captivated and engaged the boys as he performed many songs, inviting the students to join in with movement, actions and, of course, singing. The boys thoroughly enjoyed the performance and were wonderful audience members. They were the first school on Peter’s tour to perform two new songs: ‘A Frog in My Cheese Sandwich’ and ‘10,000 Stars’. Peter commented on how beautiful and touching it was to hear his songs performed live by children’s voices for the first time. Our favourite songs were ‘Sun Comes Up’, ‘Spaghetti Bolognaise’, ‘Tadpole Blues’, ‘Newspaper Mama’, ‘Juicy Juicy Green Grass’, and, of course, ‘Mr Clicketty Cane’. We hope to have Peter visit our school again in the future.

Year 6

Contemporary First Nations artist Wendy Rix visited the students in Year 6 to share her perspective and make connections to the PYP Exhibition central idea: systems support lives. Students listened to Wendy’s story as she shared her deep connection to Yuwaalaraay Country (Goodooga NSW) and her family’s history and experiences.

The artwork created as a response will be on display in the Campbell Centre for PYPX.

Buddy classes

Last week, 1B teamed up with their Year 6C buddies for an adventurous scavenger hunt across the Prep School grounds. This event, designed to build connections and foster leadership skills, saw boys excitedly finding different living creatures within our grounds, all while strengthening the bonds between the youngest and oldest members of the Prep School. The scavenger hunt not only strengthened peer relationships but also promoted confidence and collaboration across year levels, embodying the school’s commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

Year 3

We’ve had so much fun learning about how heat can transform a state of matter in Year 3. The boys collaborated and put their construction skills to the test by making a solar oven. They investigated how quickly radiation can transform a piece of chocolate.

Year 2

Year 2 has been inquiring into the solar system and the patterns we observe in the sky. After our investigations of star constellations, the boys chose a star constellation to research and create out of marshmallows. They developed their processing and modelling skills and worked collaboratively to analyse their constellations. 

Library news

Thank you to everyone who attended our recent Book Fair. We raised over $1,400 for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation as a result.

Prep Support Group meeting

The final Prep Support Group meeting of 2024 will be the AGM on Thursday 21 November in the Year 2 Plaza, commencing at 8:30 am. All are welcome. Nominations for all executive positions (President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary) will be called for and can be made to Trudy Naylor or via the Prep Office.

Anglicare collection

On behalf of Anglicare Brisbane Children and Families (a foster and kinship care agency), we extend our deepest appreciation for your continued support of our foster and kinship carer families at Christmas time. The gifts provided by our community last year meant Anglicare was able to put smiles on the faces of children during a difficult time when they were away from their biological parents.

Anglicare’s team supports 105 children and young people in out-of-home care, aged between birth and 17 years, as well as the biological children in foster and kinship carer families who generously share their homes. Over Christmas, this number often increases, with carer families unexpectedly opening their homes to more children in need. Your support through gift donations allows Anglicare to provide thoughtful presents, ensuring these vulnerable children have a memorable Christmas.

Anglicare supports a balanced mix of boys and girls aged from birth to 17. For children aged 13 and older, gift cards are well-received, allowing them to shop and choose something special themselves. We ask that any gift card donations exclude liquor services, and we request $30 denominations as the preferred amount.

All donations can be delivered to Chaplain Stephanie’s office in the Prep Admin building.

Final assembly: Years 4 to 6

The Prep School’s final assembly will be held on Wednesday 27 November in Morris Hall, commencing at 6 pm. This will be the Prep School’s annual Speech Night and prize-giving. All boys in Years 4 to 6 are expected to attend. The assembly will conclude at approximately 7:30 pm.

Years 4 to 6 Merit Awards

Merit Awards are awarded to the top ten academic students in Year 4 and the top ten students in each of Years 5 and 6 (not including the Dux). These awards are based on the boys’ classwork and academic achievements over the year.

Years 4 to 6 Effort Awards

Two Effort Awards are presented to the two students, determined by the form teacher, who have made the greatest consistent effort throughout the year. The boys’ efforts in all aspects of school life are taken into account. These awards have been donated by the Old Boys’ Association. It is delightful to have this ongoing link with the Old Boys’ Association, and we thank them for their continuing support of the Prep School.

The Jell Family Awards

Former Chairman of the School Council Dr John Jell was a Prep School student, as was his brother, Dr Peter Jell. The Jell family has donated awards for the boy in Year 4 and the boy in Year 5 who have shown high academic achievement and leadership and made a significant contribution to the cultural, spiritual, sporting and service life of the school.

The Head of Preparatory School’s Award

This award is presented to the boy in Year 6 who has seized the opportunities Churchie offers to grow into a fine young man. The recipient will be a boy who has taken opportunities, become a leader among his peers, made a significant contribution to the cultural, spiritual, sporting and service life of the school and given his best in a wide range of activities.

Dux of the School

This is the highest academic award in the Prep School. It will be awarded to the boy in Year 6 with the highest overall academic achievement.

The Jack Duff Award

This award is presented to the Year 6 student who has made the greatest, overall contribution to the school’s cocurricular programme and leadership in the Prep School. The recipient has made the most of the opportunities offered at Churchie, has demonstrated a range of skills and become a leader among his peers.

Reverend Jocelyn Pitt Award for Christian Living

Reverend Jocelyn Pitt was a teacher and then Chaplain in the Prep School for many years. This prize is awarded to a Year 6 boy who has made an important contribution to the religious and spiritual life of the school. This boy will have demonstrated Christian disciplines of worship, prayer, reflection, compassion, humility and care for others.

Japanese Award

Awarded to the Year 6 boy with the best overall achievement and contribution in Japanese.

Sports Award

Awarded to the Year 6 student with the highest overall achievement in Physical Education, sport and sportsmanship.

Art Award

Awarded to the Year 6 boy with the best overall achievement in Art.

Music Award

Awarded to the Year 6 student with the highest overall achievement in Music.

Technology Award

Awarded to the Year 6 student with the highest overall achievement in Technology.

PYP Exhibition

Mark Wyer
Head of Preparatory School