Prep School

It has been another busy, challenging and rewarding term at Churchie Prep. The boys have certainly earned a well-deserved holiday. Even this edition of our newsletter highlights the many wonderful activities our boys are involved in during any given week.

As I reflect on the events of Term 3, I am filled with a sense of pride in the way the boys have thrown themselves into all that is on offer in the Prep School. We often speak about the holistic nature of our school and providing a well-rounded education for our boys, and our boys have certainly been a living embodiment of that sentiment. Boys have been involved in a variety of academic incursions and excursions: Interhouse Track and Field, Prep Solos, Book Week, a variety of academic competitions including ICAS and AMC maths, Reception boys hosting St Margaret’s mini showcases, our ongoing commitment to the GPS sporting fixtures, Father’s Day celebrations and a sausage sizzle, our first ever house chapel services along with house basketball competitions, and we will finish the term with a Prep School Eucharist Service and our annual Tug of War competition. Not to mention 59 boys and 7 staff will be undertaking the annual Year 6 Canberra Tour during the first week of the holidays. It certainly has been a very busy and productive Term 3.

Our staff have been instrumental in ensuring quality learning has been happening in our classrooms this term and in providing these wonderful opportunities that exist as part of the Churchie Prep School. I know they too are looking forward to a well-earned holiday.

I hope the newsletter continues to showcase the wonderful work of our talented boys and dedicated staff as we continually strive to give our boys the best possible educational experience. I am sure you will agree that what we see in the weekly newsletter is just the tip of the iceberg. I trust you and your family will enjoy a restful and relaxing holiday period; take the opportunity to recharge the batteries and prepare yourself in readiness for a busy and exciting Term 4.

Value of the week: helpfulness

Helpfulness is being of service to others and doing thoughtful things that make a difference in their lives. Offer your help without waiting to be asked. Ask for help when you need it. When we help each other, we get more done. Being helpful makes all our lives easier.

Attribute of the week: reflective

When we are reflective, we think back on our learning. We know what we are good at and set goals to do better.

House Chapels

Last week, for the first time in the history of the Prep School, we held our inaugural Prep School House Chapels. Under the guidance of Chaplain Stephanie, our four chapel leaders planned, organised and led each service. Each leader selected a unique theme for their House Chapel, focusing on topics such as the centenary of the chapel, St Magnus, service and teamwork. The leaders also chose the hymns, readings and prayers for their respective Houses.

A highlight of each service was a Year 6 student sharing his thoughts and reflections on the new house system. It was heartwarming to hear the boys speak about the connections they’ve built with peers across the school and the sense of pride they have in their house. It was also a joy to welcome parents to these special services, further strengthening the bonds within our community and supporting the spiritual development of our boys.

Reception and Year 1 mini showcases

This week, our Reception and Year 1 students held their mini showcases, demonstrating their learning in their current Units of Inquiry. The Reception boys focused on the learner profiles and shared reflections on how their family members exemplify different profiles. The boys shared some interesting and amusing stories about their families, which made for a delightful experience.

The Year 1 Showcase centred on the theme ‘Sharing the Planet’. The Year 1 boys presented their research on Australian animals to their families, discussing their chosen animal’s environment, food sources, predators and unique characteristics. It was wonderful to see our Year 1 parents supporting the boys as they proudly showcased their learning.

House basketball

As part of our new house system, the boys have been engaging in friendly interhouse sports competitions. These events contribute valuable house points towards the Hobbs Cup. This week, our Year 5 and 6 boys participated in the lunchtime FIBA 3v3 house basketball competition. The fast-paced, 10-minute games were played within the 3-point arc, allowing for quick scoring and player substitutions after each point. This format ensured maximum participation and plenty of scoring opportunities.

In a round-robin format, the houses competed in a series of fun and competitive matches. Congratulations to Angles House, who went undefeated in both the Year 5 and Year 6 events! It was fantastic to see the boys demonstrating friendly competition and healthy sportsmanship. Events like this provide a great opportunity for the boys to learn from one another in a fun and supportive environment. A special thank you to the housemasters for their support and to Tim Sutherland and Jade Frewin for organising such a successful event.

Camps in Term 4

• Year 3: Coolum, Tuesday 1 to Wednesday 2 October
• Year 4: Emu Gully, Wednesday 16 to Friday 18 October
• Year 5: Tyalgum Ridge Retreat, Monday 4 to Wednesday 6 November

Mark Wyer
Head of Preparatory School