Prep School

Book Week

The theme for Book Week 2024 is ‘reading is magic’!  It’s a celebration of the enchanting power of books to transport minds, foster curiosity about the wonders in our world and the wonderful journey books allow us to enjoy. During this week, schools, libraries and community organisations come together to celebrate children’s literature. Whether it’s through displays, activities, events or Book Week parades, the magic of reading takes centre stage.

Reading took centre stage on Monday morning with our annual Book Week parade. This year, we brought the Prep School together, along with some special guests from Oakland Childcare. Our boys did a wonderful job bringing characters from their favourite books to life. The Campbell Centre was filled with a myriad of characters from favourite books, such as Harry Potter, Where’s Wally?,  Dog Man, Willy Wonka, Mr Men, and a variety of sporting superstars. The staff were not to be outdone, as all our teachers embraced the spirit of Book Week and dressed as their favourite characters. Our Oakland Childcare friends also joined in the celebrations, enjoying the fun in their costumes as well.

As you can see from the images from the day, it was truly a celebration of the magic of reading and a wonderful Prep School community event. Thank you to Mrs Findlay, Mrs Booth and Mrs Hetherington for their organisation of this special school event.

Prep value of the week: courage

Courage is personal bravery in the face of fear. It involves doing what needs to be done even when it’s hard or scary. Courage is moving ahead even when you feel like giving up. You may need courage when you try new things. Courage is admitting mistakes and then doing the right thing. Courage is the strength in your heart.

Attribute of the week: inquirers

Inquirers have a natural curiosity and learn to acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research, showing independence in learning. You actively enjoy learning, and this love of learning will be sustained throughout your life.

Author visit for Book Week

Considering the Book Week them ‘reading is magic’, Sarah Armstrong, author of Big Magic and Magic Awry was a natural choice. The boys in Years 3–6 were treated to a highly engaging visit, in which Sarah spoke about her transition from journalist to author and gave the boys a teaser of her new novel coming out next year. Since Big Magic is set in a travelling circus, volunteer students (and even a couple of teachers) took part in some circus tricks, such as juggling and hula hooping.

Reception

Last Tuesday, Prep year students from St Margaret’s visited the Reception boys for a morning of activities and fun. It was a wonderful event (despite the weather) that allowed Churchie boys and St Margaret’s girls to continue the collaboration between our two schools. The children made puppets, watched a puppet show, and sang and danced to a song which was a collaboration of both music teachers. The boys met the girls at the bus with an umbrella and displayed our manner of the week, chivalry, as they walked them into our classrooms. We were so proud of the way the boys conducted themselves. We had many ‘little sisters’ this year, which made the day even more special. We look forward to visiting St Margaret’s next year for another wonderful morning of fun and friendship.

Student free day Friday 30 August

Next Friday will be a student-free day for the annual Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) verification day.

Mark Wyer
Head of Preparatory School