Prep School

Happy holidays

We have much to be thankful for at Churchie, and Term 1 certainly epitomises what we want from our boys—a world of opportunities. At Prep Assembly last week, I reflected on our boys’ extensive engagement in our academic and cocurricular programmes. It was lovely to see the vast number of boys involved in the variety of opportunities that were presented to them in Term 1.

We enjoyed very successful junior GPS Debating and Cricket seasons. Our GPS swimmers placed a very credible second in the junior championship. We acknowledged and celebrated our Year 6 Student Leaders at our first assembly and congratulated our outstanding award recipients along the way. Prep Music Solos in the chapel was a highlight with the level of musicianship on show that was simply outstanding. It was fantastic to see our volleyballers in action. I enjoyed my time on the sidelines watching them. Boys trialled for the New Zealand sports tour and participated in Garden Club. Our footballers and tennis players have also been busy preparing for their seasons in Term 2. Our Year 6 boys kicked off the Prep Outdoor Education programme for the year with a trip to Stradbroke Island, and we held our first-ever house meetings in the Prep School with our brand-new housemasters.

Also this term, we enjoyed author visits and unit provocations, engaged in NAPLAN assessments and worshipped together at weekly chapels and the Easter Service at St John’s Cathedral. We welcomed new boys to the School, our dads ran a sausage sizzle lunch and we learned some valuable historical insights about our school from School Archivist Peter Collin. Our parent information and curriculum information nights were a huge success, highlighting the integral partnership between school and home. And, our whole school Eucharist Service round out the term in a most special way.

We certainly have cause to be grateful and celebrate all the wonderful stories that have made our journey in Term 1 so special. Please accept my best wishes for you and your family during Easter and the holiday period. I trust you will have the opportunity to spend this time with family and friends and have a chance to recharge your batteries. I look forward to welcoming our boys back at the beginning of Term 2.

Value of the week: reflective

We thoughtfully consider our world and our own ideas and experiences. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses to support our learning and personal development.

Attribute of the week: discipline

When you have discipline, you have self-control. With appropriate and consistent discipline, you learn about consequences and take responsibility for your own actions.

Year 6 camp

During week nine, boys from 6A and 6C headed to North Stradbroke Island for two nights of fun, adventure, team building, resilience and supportive risk-taking. The Outdoor Education team provided the boys with invaluable opportunities to experience the joy of learning outside the four walls of the classroom and appreciate the beauty that Australia’s landscape has to offer. From stargazing, hiking and building water rafts to learning about  Quandamooka people and culture,  there is no doubt the boys all had a wonderful time and left with many special memories.

Buddy classes

Throughout Term 1, 1A and 6C participated in regular buddy sessions. The boys enjoyed making connections and getting to know each other through indoor and outdoor games. To end the term, they had an Easter egg hunt, egg and spoon races, and challenged each other to keep the plastic eggs tapping on their spoons. Buddy time is a much-anticipated part of our programme as the boys delight in coming together and learning more about each other. We look forward to another term of building relationships among our classes in the weeks ahead.

Easter Service

On Monday evening, we came together as a community in worship to celebrate Easter. Through song and presentation, our boys led us through the Easter story and highlighted its significance. It was lovely to see our Prep School choirs, string ensemble and choristers as part of the service. Thank you to Chaplain Stephanie for her spiritual guidance and organisation of this wonderful community event.

Years 5 and 6 Mother and Son High Tea

The Mother and Son High Tea will be held on Tuesday 14 May 2024. As is tradition, the afternoon will commence with a mothers chapel service at 2:15 pm, followed by high tea in Morris Hall, with the boys joining their mothers at 3:05 pm. 

Attendance at the event will be open only to Prep School boys in Years 5 and 6 and their mothers.  

A formal invitation will be sent to Years 5 and 6 parents early next term.

Term dates

The final school day for this term is Wednesday 27 March. Term 2 commences on Tuesday 16 April.

Mark Wyer
Head of Preparatory School