Friday 29 June 2012
You may be aware that Christ Church has an ongoing relationship with the International Boys’ Schools Coalition (IBSC). One recent benefit of this association was being involved in an international study of best practice in boys’ schools entitled ‘Teaching Boys: A Global Study of Effective Practices’. I am currently a trustee of this organisation and next week I am looking forward to attending the IBSC annual international conference in Melbourne, themed Unearthing Creativity. This year I will be presenting (along with our Director of Pedagogy, Julie Harris) on our Christ Church Pedagogy. Holly Miller, our Co-ordinator of the Early Learning Centre, will also be a workshop presenter.
We draw considerable benefit from the relationships that are forged within the IBSC. For example, a significant number of our exchange schools in the Beyond Queenslea Drive exchange programme in Year 10 are member schools. In April next year, the School will host the inaugural Australia/New Zealand Regional Conference for the IBSC: Building Better Men - Educating for Character.
While in Melbourne, I will also have the pleasure of being able to watch our sailing team compete in the national championship and host a community gathering there for alumni and others of the School community. If you will be in Melbourne on 14 July and would like to join us, let my office know.
I do wish everyone all the very best for the final week of term. Next week a significant focus will be on the national celebration of NAIDOC week. Our Indigenous Programme Co-ordinator, Jamie Foster and our indigenous boys have put a special programme of events together. Our celebration began today with a wonderful Year 3CH Preparatory School Assembly with didgeridoo and dance - a highlight. Next week we will publish a special edition of this newsletter covering many of these NAIDOC Week events.
As always, should you have any concerns about any aspect of the School and would like to make contact with me, please do not hesitate to do so by email gwynne@ccgs.wa.edu.au or by telephoning my Executive Assistant, Wendy Macdougall, on 9442 1502.
Garth Wynne
Headmaster
As we enter the final week of the term I would like to remind parents that the boys will finish earlier on Friday. Pre-Primary will finish at 12.00pm, Year 1 at 12.10pm, Years 2 and 3 at 12.20pm, Years 4, 5 and 6 at 12.30pm. Please remember we are a residential community and therefore our boarding families will be collecting their sons from 12.45pm so it is especially important parents do no park on campus that afternoon.
Sports training and co-curricular activities have finished for the semester. Early next week you will receive an email detailing co-curricular activities for Semester 2 and inviting you to enrol.
We will also be posting reports at the end of next week. As we are presently reviewing the way we report to you, we have engaged Macquarie Marketing Group to survey parents to guide the development of our new report. You will receive an email on Wednesday, 18 July inviting you to complete the survey. The survey will take no more than ten minutes and the responses are anonymous and secure. Please take this opportunity to have your say.
Next term Chantal Hockey leaves us for a term to work at Yakanarra Community School, 80km south of Fitzroy Crossing. Yakanarra is an indigenous community school with which the school has developed a relationship. I am sure the staff will learn a great deal from Ms Hockey and she, in turn will learn much from the experience. Rachel Sykes will take the Year 3CH class for Term 3.
I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday. Term 3 commences on Wednesday, 25 July at 8.25am.
Richard Wright
Head of LW Parry Preparatory School
Year 1
After-school Play
Year 1 boys are invited to an after-school play to farewell Jack Long and his family.
Date: Thursday 5 July
Where: Manners Hill Park, Freshwater Bay
Time: Straight after school pick-up
Please bring a picnic rug and plate of food to share for afternoon tea.
Years 4 to 6
iMove Physical Theatre Club – Term 3
iMove Physical Theatre Club has been given the opportunity to perform in the MoveMe Festival in conjunction with the Australian Dance Awards to be held in Perth. The performance will be outside the Perth Cultural Centre in Northbridge on Sunday 2 September (Fathers Day) at 2.00pm.
For this performance a short dance theatre work will be prepared and rehearsals will be every Monday after school starting
Monday 30 July and finishing Sunday 2 September.
This will be suitable for boys in Years 4 to 6 especially if they completed the 'Drama for Dramatics' workshop in Term 2.
This is a wonderful opportunity. For enquiries, contact Angela Perry at aperry@ccgs.wa.edu.au.
St George's College School Holiday Programmes
St George’s College, UWA will be running weekday school holiday programmes for Years 4 to 6 students from Monday 9 to Friday 20 July, daily from 7.45am until 5.00pm. The programmes include educational and recreational activities such as:
- Cooking
- Dancing
- Reading
- Painting
- Chemistry
- Magic
- First aid
- Music
- Treasure hunt
The cost per child is $95 per day or $450 for a full week programme. The charge covers breakfast, lunch and tea. The ratio of students to mentors will be about 5:1 with approximately 50 students expected to attend each day. Activities include investigations around St George’s historic buildings and gardens, etiquette, cooking, music, first aid, chemistry magic, and explanations about university life and customs. For further information, click here or to enrol, please contact the College on 9449 5555 or at admin@stgeorgescollege.com.au.
Year 6
Year 6LA Parents and Teacher Cocktail Get Together
Carol, Andrea and Sara will be hosting a Year 6LA parents and teacher cocktail and nibbles get together.
Date: Saturday 30 June
Time: 6.00pm to 8.00pm
Location: Pivnik/Ciccarelli home, 99 Webster Street, Nedlands
We are asking everyone who attends to bring a plate of finger food to share and the beverage of your choice. RSVP to Andrea at andreap1@optusnet.com.au no later than Tuesday 26 June.
International Children's Winter Games 2013 - Participants Welcome
Christ Church Grammar has been fortunate enough to receive one of four Australian invitations to the sixth International Children's Winter Games in Ufa, Russia next year. Students who turn 12 to 15 in 2013 are eligible to compete. The selected students will be representing Christ Church Grammar School as well as Australia. This is a truly unique opportunity for all who attend and one that will live in memories for a life time.
What are the games?
It is a unique participation event of winter sports that aims to enable, develop and advance the meeting, understanding and friendship of students from different countries around the World and promote the Olympic Ideal. The games are the only youth winter event of its type endorsed by the IOC.
Do I need to be an elite athlete to compete?
No…the games focus on competition through the spirit of participation, yes you need to be able to ski or snowboard but not at an elite level. Any student capable of intermediate runs is more than capable of competing.
The tour will involve a significant cultural experience for all who attend with a stop over and sight seeing tour in Moscow on route to the games and a training camp in Shiga Kogen, Japan to prepare the team for the competition phase.
If you are interested in finding out more about the games, for further information or to register your expression of interest, contact Mr Dave Anderson, Director of Kooringal, at danderson@ccgs.wa.edu.au or on 9538 1061 or 0427 102 082.
Dave Anderson
Director of Kooringal
Changes to Fee Statements
Reminder - statements to be posted next Monday look different
The implementation of new administration software over the coming July holidays has prompted some changes to fee statements.
On 8 June all parents were sent a letter from Director of Finance John Price about imminent changes to the presentation of fee statements and that from the end of July we will be moving to e-mailing of statements each month.
The first change of note is that your next statement will include Terms 3 and 4 tuition and boarding fees. This will not change your payment schedule in any way.
Parents need to advise their preferred e-mail address (for these statements only) to the School on emails@ccgs.wa.edu.au.
Please find a copy of the letter to be enclosed with the final posted set of statements to be sent out on Monday 2 July here.
Literature
Do you know what your son is reading?
Are you aware of what your son is reading? Do you ask him about issues in the books they read? If not, you might be in for a surprise.
From time to time books are published with strong marketing profiles and consequently young readers are drawn to reading them in a 'craze'. This has no doubt happened with the Twilight series and is currently going on with The Hunger Games and Cherub (particularly the later books in this series). All of these series suit a young adult audience and above, and due to the reduced reading age of the language, it is accessible to much younger children in Primary School.
You can read reviews of the book The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins at:
www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/the-hunger-games
www.myhungergames.com/a-call-to-ban-the-hunger-games
Books do not have the same censorship ratings as movies or television programmes and for this reason it’s not always easy to gauge how suitable they are for your children unless you read them as well. Books containing death and killing have always been available (look at some fairytales), however in recent years there has been a trend towards darker and more violent content.
Please be aware of what your boys are reading and if concerned, discuss the issues contained in the books with them.
Mary Hookey
Prep School Teacher Librarian
Farewell Morning Tea
For Rita Willard - Friday 6 July
The Head of the LW Parry Preparatory School, Richard Wright, invites you to Rita's Farewell Morning Tea on Friday 6 July at approximately 9.30am until 10.30am (following Assembly) on Walter's Lawn. Parking will be available on the Prep Oval until 10.30am.
Mrs Willard made a significant contribution to the life of the School assisting three Heads of the Preparatory School, co-ordinating the successful Anglicare Christmas Hampers and always being there for boys, parents and staff alike.
If you wish to attend the morning tea, RSVP via www.trybooking.com/BLTU. For more information, contact Sandra Conway at sconway@ccgs.wa.edu.au or 9442 1666.
As the term draws to a close it is always incredible to reflect on what has been achieved. I have been able to do this by reading all the comprehensive reports written by staff over the past weeks. More often than not, I have been impressed by the considerable effort that boys apply to their studies and not surprisingly the high correlation between good effort and good results. This sort of commitment and effort is also apparent in the co-curricular domain. It was certainly evident on Wednesday evening at the House Drama where a devoted ‘Juppian’ was seen playing his musical instrument while still dressed in his soccer uniform, shin pads and all! All boys have the opportunity to get involved in a huge range of activities at school, sometimes they just need a little bit of persuasion to get them started. During the holiday period it is often a good time to look at options and consider possibilities. I encourage all families to carry out an ‘option audit’ with their sons.
Brickbats and bouquets, concerns and congratulations are all in the day of the Head of the Senior School. As boys come and go from the School each day they represent themselves and also their School. Everyday the Christ Church boys are judged as they walk the street, meander through the ‘Quarter’ and use the public transport system. In the main the boys are quite good but there is considerable room for improvement. To this end I’d like to ask families to ensure that uniforms, particularly pants and blazers are clean, that shoes are polished and all shirts can be buttoned up at the neck. The latter often presents quite a challenge for some boys.
I wish all families a restful, relaxing and enjoyable holiday period.
Roger Bayly
Deputy Headmaster
Head of Senior School
Years 7 to 9
International Children's Winter Games 2013 - Participants Welcome
Christ Church Grammar has been fortunate enough to receive one of four Australian invitations to the sixth International Children's Winter Games in Ufa, Russia next year. Students who turn 12 to 15 in 2013 are eligible to compete. The selected students will be representing Christ Church Grammar School as well as Australia. This is a truly unique opportunity for all who attend and one that will live in memories for a life time.
What are the games?
It is a unique participation event of winter sports that aims to enable, develop and advance the meeting, understanding and friendship of students from different countries around the World and promote the Olympic Ideal. The games are the only youth winter event of its type endorsed by the IOC.
Do I need to be an elite athlete to compete?
No…the games focus on competition through the spirit of participation, yes you need to be able to ski or snowboard but not at an elite level. Any student capable of intermediate runs is more than capable of competing.
The tour will involve a significant cultural experience for all who attend with a stop over and sight seeing tour in Moscow on route to the games and a training camp in Shiga Kogen, Japan to prepare the team for the competition phase.
If you are interested in finding out more about the games, for further information or to register your expression of interest, contact Mr Dave Anderson, Director of Kooringal, at danderson@ccgs.wa.edu.au or on 9538 1061 or 0427 102 082.
Dave Anderson
Director of Kooringal
Years 7 to 12
Semester 1 Reports
These reports are currently being compiled and, as with last year, will be posted out on a staggered basis.
Years 9 and 10 parents can expect their sons' reports in the latter part of Week 9 of this term.
Years 7 and 8 parents can expect their sons' reports in the latter part of Week 10.
Years 11 and 12 parents can expect their sons' reports in the latter part of Week 11.
Margaret Brophy
Director of Studies
Basketball Singlets
Could parents of students who played basketball over the past year please check if they have a numbered CCGS singlet at home.
These singlets belong to the school and need to be returned as soon as possible, to allow us to order replacements for the missing tops.
Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter.
Drew McDonald
Assistant to Director of Sport
Years 9 to 11
2013 UK Soccer Tour
Director of Sport, Anthony Lynch, is pleased to announce a proposed soccer tour to the UK in April 2013.
The tour includes training sessions at Fulham, Everton, Bolton and Watford, together with games against EPL junior development squads and school-based teams.
For more information, view this letter or view the proposed schedule.
Year 12
Reminder: Year 12 Father and Son Breakfast - 3 July
All Year 12 fathers (or other significant mentors) are warmly invited to attend the annual Father and Son Breakfast which will be held at the University Club of Western Australia at UWA at 7.00am to 8.15am on Tuesday 3 July.
The guest speaker will be the Reverend Canon Richard Pengelley, current Chaplain of St George’s College, Sub-Dean Community at UWA, dual Olympian and Assistant Professor School of Sports Science, Exercise and Health.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Curtin University Parent Information Evening - 4 July
This event is intended to provide parents with what they need to know about the TISC process and how university preferences work, admissions, scholarships, university support services and also provide opportunities to talk one-on-one with faculty representatives about specific courses, and with current students about their university experiences.
Year 12 Parent Information Evening
Date: Wednesday 4 July
Time: Expo and refreshments on arrival at 5.00pm. Formal presentations from 5.45pm to 7.00pm
Location: Curtin Bentley Campus
To find out more about these events and to register, please visit www.curtin.edu.au/parentseve or call on 9266 1000.
Year 10
Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews - 2 July
Year 10 Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews will be held on Monday 2 July from 3.45pm to 7.00pm. PTO bookings are open. To book, or for details on how to book, click here.
On that evening, three teachers whose subjects are not taught in Year 10 (or have not yet been taught to all Year 10s, in the case of Philosophy) will be available to talk to boys and parents about Ancient History, Philosophy & Ethics, Politics & Law and Psychology. There are no appointments for these interviews; the Psychology teacher will be in the Gallery between 4.00pm and 5.30pm, and the others will be in the Gallery from 4.30pm to 6.00pm. Should these times not suit, you are welcome to ring the Head of Humanities, Mr David Proudlove on 9442 1747, to discuss Ancient History, Philosophy & Ethics, or Politics & Law and the Head of Science, Mr Michael Masterton on 9442 1681, to discuss Psychology.
Year 10 Parents Social Events - Save the Dates!
Coffee Morning at Mosmans
Date: Wednesday 8 August
Time: 9.30am
Venue: Mosmans Restaurant, 15 Johnson Pde, Mosman Park
Curry Night In
Date: Friday 21 September
Time: 7.30pm onwards
Venue: Private venue TBA closer to time
BYO: Curry to share and drinks
As Year 10s Venture Out So Will We - End of Year Parent Function
Date: Friday 9 November
Time: 7.00pm onwards
Venue and further details: TBA closer to date
We look forward to seeing you at these events.
Year 10 Exchange Programmes
An exchange opportunity exists for a Year 10 student to go to Scotland in Term 3. Interested students should see Mr Neil Saggers, Director of Activities, on nsaggers@ccgs.wa.edu.au as soon as possible.
Host families – Beyond Queenslea Drive
Christ Church has a vibrant exchange programme with approximately 15 international schools. From time to time we look for a Christ Church family to host a young man from the UK, USA, NZ, South Africa, Canada or India. This would be for approximately five weeks during a school term. Please contact Mr Neil Saggers, Director of Activities, on nsaggers@ccgs.wa.edu.au if you think your family may be able to assist.
Years 10 to 12
Atarget July Revision Programme - 9 to 13 July
The Atarget July holiday programme will provide a comprehensive revision of the syllabus covered in Semester 1. WACE Revision, WACE Exam Preparation and Study Skills programmes offer 10 hours of tuition for each subject running from Monday 9 to Friday 13 July.
For more information and booking details, call 9486 1377 or visit www.atarget.com.au.
Years 11 and 12
Year 11 and 12 WACE Private Candidates
Any Year 11 or 12 student who has the intention of sitting a WACE exam at the end of the year as a Private Candidate needs to complete this form (6.6.1) for this purpose and return in to the Schools Curriculum and Standards Authority (formerly the Curriculum Council) with the required payment by Wednesday 4 July.
For more information, click here.
Changes to Fee Statements
Reminder - statements to be posted next Monday look different
The implementation of new administration software over the coming July holidays has prompted some changes to fee statements.
On 8 June all parents were sent a letter from Director of Finance John Price about imminent changes to the presentation of fee statements and that from the end of July we will be moving to e-mailing of statements each month.
The first change of note is that your next statement will include Terms 3 and 4 tuition and boarding fees. This will not change your payment schedule in any way.
Parents need to advise their preferred e-mail address (for these statements only) to the School on emails@ccgs.wa.edu.au.
Please find a copy of the letter to be enclosed with the final posted set of statements to be sent out on Monday 2 July here.
Careers
UWA Counselling Service - 9 to 13 July
The University of Western Australia is offering Individual Counselling Sessions during the July school holidays for students in Years 10, 11 and 12 (and their parents). The sessions are designed to help answer questions about UWA’s courses including:
- Admission requirements
- Entry pathways into Medicine, Dentistry, Law and Engineering
- Year 10 subject selection
- TISC process
The sessions will be held in the Alexander Lecture Theatre at the University from 9 to 13 July. Students will need to register their interest with Lisa Cowell at lisa.cowell@uwa.edu.au.
UWA's 'A day in the life of a ...' Programme - 17, 18 and 19 July
During the July school holidays, UWA will offering Years 11 and 12 students the opportunity to find out what studies in a particular field would be like. The following opportunities are available:
A Day in the life of an Engineering Science Student – Tuesday 17 July, 9.00am to 4.00pm
A Day in the Life of a Chemistry Student – Wednesday 18 July, 8.45am to 4.00pm
A Day in the Life of a Business Student – Thursday 19 July, 9.00am to 4.00pm
Application for these events close on the 29 June. Application available from Ms Clarke or for further information contact:
Alison Chan, Prospective Students Adviser, UWA on 6488 1450.
Media Frenzy Programme
Murdoch University’s Media Frenzy is taking place in the July school holidays for those who may be interested in pursuing a career in the media industry.
For more information, view this flyer or visit www.murdoch.edu.au/Experience.
Australian Air Force Cadets Open Night - 3 August
Information session, Drill and Drum Corps Performance, Fieldcraft and Flying
Date: Friday 3 August
Time: 6.30pm to 9.00pm
Location: Irwin Barracks, Karrakatta
For more information, call FLTLT (AAFC) Malcolm Brown on 0417 985 719 .
University of Notre Dame – Early Offer Program 2012
The Notre Dame Early Offer Program acknowledges and rewards the achievements of outstanding Year 12 students by offering them a place before they sit their final TEE examinations. This offer is for students who have a predicted ATAR of 90 or above.
The Early Offers are made to the successful students in October. If a student accepts their Early Offer to the University of Notre Dame, it would in no way prohibit them from applying and being offered a place at another university.
For more information, view this brochure. Applications are available from Ms Clarke. Closing date is Friday 3 August.
Senior School Photographs
Available to Order
Senior School photographs taken throughout the year are available for purchase. The following group photographs can be purchased online:
- Summer 1st Sports Teams
- Year 12 - Class of 2012
- Years 1 to 12 at Christ Church
- Pre-Primary to Year 12
Orders can be made at the Photo Hendriks website using the following link and password:
www.photohendriksgalleries.com
Click on the Christ Church logo
Enter password : esak54
House Arts heats up after Chess, Debating and Public Speaking finals
Soccer programme thriving at Christ Church
Harry joins student leadership team
Boys swap schools, families, friends for international experience
Maths students ready to compete against world’s best in Asia
More News
Invest in our boys' future with Annual Giving
The Annual Giving tally is ahead of the amount this time last year but we still have a long way to go to exceed last year's amount. The campaign is still open to receive gifts.
To download a donation form, click here.
Our shared efforts contribute to the strength of Christ Church and with your gift, we can make a significant difference to make our ‘Future Stronger Together’.
Postcard from Michaelhouse, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
It’s been 60 days since I arrived. In the first week, I climbed a mountain and just last week, I climbed another one! In the second week, I jumped off a waterfall. Two weeks ago, I swam with sharks and then went to a rugby match. Last weekend, I shot a gun. Everyday I eat two servings of food, I go to Chapel at least three times a week, pray almost everyday and move out of the way for older students to get food. I have had a cold shower more than once and now greet everyone as they walk past. Just last night, I fell asleep during prep and no one woke me up! I have bought a vuvuzela and some dodgy headphones and this week, I’m giving library books to children who have never seen a book and are unlikely to ever again. Oh, and I have been on a safari, virtually touched a zebra and five elephants, and had a staring contest with a white rhino. Life in South Africa? Different. Very different.
Dylan Boggetti (Year 10)
Beyond Queenslea Drive immersion student
Celebrating NAIDOC Week
Senior School Assembly - 5 July
Changes to Fee Statements
Reminder - statements to be posted next Monday look different
The implementation of new administration software over the coming July holidays has prompted some changes to fee statements.
On 8 June all parents were sent a letter from Director of Finance John Price about imminent changes to the presentation of fee statements and that from the end of July we will be moving to e-mailing of statements each month.
The first change of note is that your next statement will include Terms 3 and 4 tuition and boarding fees. This will not change your payment schedule in any way.
Parents need to advise their preferred e-mail address (for these statements only) to the School on emails@ccgs.wa.edu.au.
Please find a copy of the letter to be enclosed with the final posted set of statements to be sent out on Monday 2 July here.
Privacy Policy Changes
Minor updates to the Privacy Policy
The School's Privacy Policy has had some subtle changes for parents to note. Please refer to the policy here. In particular, the process for parents to signal they wish to opt out of Friendship Lists or their sons being photographed or identified in marketing or communications, has been specified within the policy. If you have any questions, please contact Director of Community Relations Karina O'Meara on 9442 1531.
Parent Resources
Borrowing from the Senior School Library
We have many books on parenting boys in the Senior School Library available for parents to borrow. If you would like to read one of them please come to library and register to borrow. All you need is your current drivers’ license.
For a list of recommended books, click here.
Canteen
Term 3 Volunteers Required
Volunteers are required for Term 3. To view the roster, click here.
If you would like to volunteer, please email your available dates to Ann Carr at canteen@ccgs.wa.edu.au. You will receive a response within 48 hours.
Anglican Messenger
Anglican Messenger - June 2012
To view the June edition of the Anglican Messenger, click here.
Community
Pro Football Training - July Holiday Clinics
Pro Football Training are delighted to offer Christ Church students the opportunity to train and improve their soccer skills during the July holidays.
Mark Lee, Pro Football Training Director and Christ Church 1st Team Coach, comments:
"Soccer at Christ Church continues to grow each year and with the success of the 1st Team boys winning the PSA in 2011, I am very excited about the future of the sport at the School. I would highly recommend players of all ages and abilities to attend our Pro Football Training clinics to improve on all aspects of their game in a fun, exciting and engaging environment"
For more information on the clinic and to register, click here.
School Holiday Football Clinic - 9 and 10 July
The Australian Institute of Football is holding a two day football clinic at Christ Church. For more information, view this flyer.
UWA July 2012 Vacation Care Programme - 9 to 23 July
Vacancies are available for the UWA July 2012 Vacation Care Programme and After School Care from Monday 9 July to Monday 23 July for children attending full time Pre-Primary to Year 6.
To view the Vacation Care Programme, click here.
For more information on the programme or to enrol, click here.
Bubble Dome July School Holiday Courses - Book Now!
For students aged 6 to 18 years.
Learn the latest in 3D animation and games design on a Bubble Dome school holiday workshop these holidays. There will be other exciting courses such as ultra animation & games design, claymation, science and more.
For more information, visit www.bubbledome.com or email info@bubbledome.com.
Depression and Cyber Bullying/Cybersafety Seminars - 10 August and 7 September
Dr Michael Carr-Gregg has scheduled two important and informative seminars.
Depression: Insights and Strategies to Support your Students
For complete information, click here.
Cyber Bullying Cybersafety
For complete information, click here.