Boys enjoy story behind Dragon Boat Festival dumplings

A number of Preparatory School boys studying Chinese learnt the significance of the Dragon Boat Festival and were treated to ‘zongzi’ on Wednesday. Christ Church mother Mingli Kuek (Joseph, Year 8) pre-prepared the traditional rice dumplings and gave boys a demonstration on how to make the celebratory snack.

Adventures and learning on Penguin Island

Year 4 boys were engaged in learning outside the classroom when they visited Penguin Island last week. The major excursion was an introduction to learning about biomes and the life cycles of animals throughout Term 2.

Earthkeepers journey extends beyond camp

The Year 5 Earthkeepers Camp is more than just three days of outdoor fun and discovery – it forms a major part of the Year 5 programme and resonates throughout the entire year. The programme instills in the boys a respect for the earth and empowers them with knowledge on how they can lessen their impact upon it.

Prep boys channel the Force

Preparatory School boys are learning about strength of character and resilience through the Jedi Code as part of a new afterschool club. Two co-curricular clubs were launched this week including the Alternative Reality Club, which delves into the worlds of Star Wars and Doctor Who, and Masterchef CCGS.

Matthew’s project comes to life

At the end of Term 4, Grace Curtis’ Year 3 class was transported back to the Twenties when they had a chance to climb inside a vintage car. The car, a 1929 Bentley, belonged to Adam Shephard, the father of Matthew (Year 3).

Pirates ahead as Pre-Primary talks the talk

Last month, the Pre-Primary boys celebrated International Talk Like a Pirate Day with all things pirate. Not only did they expand their pirate vocabulary, they dressed like pirates and took part in a range of creative, exploratory and imaginative activities.

Book Fair fuels boys' love of reading

The annual Preparatory School Book Fair, held last week, was once again a huge success. The week got underway with a visit from Clifford the Big Red Dog – a big hit amongst the younger Prep boys.

Elite athletes visit Prep School

Last week, boys from the Preparatory School met three sportsmen at the top of their game. Kookaburra Brent Dancer put the Year 5 and 6 hockey players through their paces while Wildcats captain Shawn Redhage and teammate Cameron Tovey towered over Year 2 and 3 boys.

Year 5s spruik ‘unuseless’ inventions

Imagine eating ice cream that doesn’t melt? Or never having to stir a pan again? What about thongs with umbrellas to stop your toes getting burnt? Or a portable desk for doing homework on the run? These are just some of 5AL’s Chindogu inventions, which the boys spruiked to their classmates as part of a public speaking assignment.

Year 6 abuzz after Canberra Tour

Meeting Governor-General Quentin Bryce rates among one of the many highlights for 100 Preparatory School boys who visited Canberra last week. The War Memorial, seeing Phar Lap’s heart and watching athletes in action at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) also impressed.

Happy feet aplenty at Penguin Island

“Everything was perfect for our day at Penguin Island… and I was hungry to explore,” wrote Oscar Barry (4TS) on his return from an excursion to the island this week. Oscar was among 100 Year 4 boys, who journeyed to the island for a day as part of the group’s major excursion the term.

Year 3 sees river from different perspective

At the end of last term, Year 3 students boarded the Eco Express for a tour of the Swan River with a difference. The excursion offered boys a historical and cultural perspective of the river along with some memorable speedboat tricks.

Pre-Primary boys visit WACA

Pre-Primary boys from Meg Walsh’s class went on an excursion to the WACA (Western Australian Cricket Association) Ground recently as part of their learning on ‘Our Community’. The boys had a tour of the museum, a run on the ground and even met some Western Fury players.

Boys learn art of foolery from international jester

Preparatory School boys have been playing the fool this term as part of the iMove Physical Theatre Club’s ‘jestering’ sessions. Over 40 boys from Years 4 to 6 boys have been mastering the art of fooling around with international jester Jonathon De Hadeleigh.

Magic spots, pledges herald start of outdoor education journey

“Shhh! Can you hear the birds whistling? Can you smell the fresh air? Can you see hundreds of trees? Can you feel the wind on your face? I think you can - in my magic spot.” – Hal Monro (5PW) Hal was among 100 boys to take the first step in the outdoor education journey at Christ Church – the Year 5 Earthkeepers Camp.

The Great Year 3 Sculpture by the Sea Quest

An excursion to the annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibition turned into a ‘quest’ for Year 3 boys when they visited Cottesloe Beach recently. Year 3 teachers Chantal Hockey and Grace Humphries, along with parent helpers, took small groups around the popular exhibition.

Christ Church staff part of Perth Writers Festival line up

Didi Caddy’s Year 1 class was given a special preview of a new book to be launched at next week’s Perth Writers Festival. The author and illustrator was Preparatory School art teacher Karen Blair, who joins festival veteran Canon Frank Sheehan as part of the festival line up.

New boys settle in

Christ Church welcomed 222 new boys to the School this week as the 2012 school year got underway. Forty Pre-Primary boys arrived in their brand new uniforms; 50 new Year 4 students joined the Preparatory School; and 82 new Year 7s entered the Senior School along with 100 ‘old’ boys moving up from the Prep School.

Storytellers enthrall boys with Tales of Times Past

A group of senior storytellers visited the Preparatory School recently to share stories of growing up in the early part of the last century and of the changes they had witnessed in the environment, technology and society in general.

Hold the phone – Pre-Primary rocks!

The School’s youngest boys began their Christ Church journey this week as Pre-Primary staff welcomed students in small groups over three days. Once settled, it was full steam ahead exploring their new classrooms and playground while getting to know each other.

Boys Rewarded for Excellence at Speakers’ Challenge

At the end of last term, three Preparatory School boys were named gold, silver and bronze medallists at the Independent Primary School Heads of Australia (IPSHA) Speakers’ Challenge. The Year 6 boys competed against the top 40 speakers from independent schools across Western Australia.

Preparatory School farewells Year 6 boys

On the final day of term, Years 4 to 6 students and their families gathered in the Chapel for the LW Parry Preparatory Prize Giving Assembly.

Fathers and Sons Team Up for Prep Football Match

Year 5 and 6 dads had a chance to play side-by-side with their sons at the third annual Father and Son Football Match at Mt Claremont recently. More than 20 dads and 34 boys, who are members of the Preparatory School’s inter-school football squad, teamed up in the tightly contested game.

Big Day Out Brings PMC Together at Kooringal

Last week, Kooringal staff were delighted to welcome back the Preparatory School Peter Moyes Centre (PMC) for their annual camp and to host a new event. PMC boys in Years 4 to 6 spent two nights at the School’s outdoor education centre with younger boys and their parents joining them on Friday for the PMC Big Day Out.

Mum’s the Word at Pre-Primary Afternoon Tea

In celebration of Mother’s Day, Ms Barbara Bosich and Mrs Megan Walsh’s classes were transformed into the ‘Pre-Primary Pamper Palace’. Mums and significant others were treated to a Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea by their biggest fans.

Inaugural Year 6 Canberra Tour an Overwhelming Success

In the final week of Term 1, 100 boys flew to the National Capital for an action-packed three-day tour. The Year 6 Canberra Tour was a new initiative in 2011 aimed at further supporting the Inquiry and Initiative Phase of Learning in Years 5 and 6.

Jack Meets ‘Cool’ Julia

Christ Church student Jack Clausen (Year 5) met Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard while shopping in Fremantle last week. The Prime Minister and her entourage were at the Merchant Tea and Coffee House when she invited Jack and his younger brother, Ned, over for a chat.

Pre-Primary’s Worm Farm More Than Wriggly Fun

The boys in Mrs Megan Walsh’s Pre-Primary class have been busy this term making good choices, keeping healthy and looking after the environment. After planting beans and tomatoes in the Pre-Primary vegetable garden a few weeks ago, the boys have been learning that caring for the environment also involves recycling.

Sculpture Visit Inspires Pre-Primary’s Own Exhibition

Pre-Primary (PPBB) boys have been inspired to create their own artwork after their annual excursion to this year’s Sculpture by the Sea exhibition at Cottesloe Beach.

Boys Begin Their Journey with the Environment

Year 5 classes have spent the past two weeks enjoying their first taste of the School’s outdoor education journey at Kooringal. Through the Earth Keepers education programme, integrated inside and outside the classroom, the boys are discovering the ‘magic’ of the environment.

River Eco Centre Provides Hands-on Learning for Boys

While Year 6 boys were enjoying the Sailing Experience initiative on the Swan River last week, Year 5 students were embarking on another new activity along the Canning River. Each class had an opportunity to visit the Canning River Eco Education Centre (CREEC), on the banks of the Kent Street Weir, for some hands-on learning.

Boys Beat the Heat

In the midst of the current heat-wave, a trip for Mrs Barbara Bosich’s Pre-Primary class to Dinosaur Park was a fun day with the added challenge of finding ways to keep cool.

Year 6 Sets Sail on New Learning Experience

A new programme, which aims to engage boys in learning outside the classroom on the Swan River, got underway in perfect conditions this week. The Year 6 Sailing Experience will be a culmination of the boys’ Preparatory School learning journey by drawing from the life and history of the river.

First Day, First Impressions

More than 1580 boys made their way to Christ Church this morning. For most, it was back to school, however for 298, it was the first day at a new school.

CCGS Welcomes New Boys for 2011

About 170 enthusiastic boys had their first taste of life as a Christ Church student this week as part of the School’s Orientation Programme for 2011.

Success for FPS Reserves and CCGS Teacher Recognised at Nationals

Christ Church Grammar School’s Future Problem Solving (FPS) teams returned home this week from the National Finals held in Melbourne at the weekend.

Christ Church Makes National Future Problem Solving Finals

Christ Church has once again made it through to the National Finals in just its second year in the Future Problem Solving Programme (FPSP).

Pre-Primary Boys Share Play Time With MLC

A joint playtime activity with Pre-Primary students from Christ Church and Methodist Ladies’ College was an opportunity to build relationship with the boys’ friendly neighbours.

School Welcomes Future Students

The atmosphere in the Prep School today was warm and welcoming as boys entering Years 2 to 6 in 2010 attended Orientation Day.

Interschool Spelling Bee Challenges Prep Boys

The annual 2009 Interschool Spelling Bee was hosted by Christ Church last Tuesday.

Future Problem Solvers

After their fantastic success at State level last term, 18 boys from Years 6 and 7 travelled to Queensland earlier this month to take on the best future problem solvers in the country – and seven Year 7 boys came home with a place.

Board Games a Popular Project for Year 5s

Brad Cecin’s Year 5 class enjoyed the fruits of their efforts at the end of last term when they played board games that they had made themselves.

CCGS Boys Problem Solving for the Future

Knowledge of cyber crime, space junk and aspects of the counterfeit economy has helped a group of Prep School boys win their way to Queensland next term.

Year 1 Chess Geniuses

What started as a handful of boys in the Early Learning Centre wanting to fuel their minds has now grown into a daily chess phenomenon in Year 1CI.

Year 5 Insight Into Local Government

Christ Church Year 5 boys learnt about the workings of local government last week during a visit by former City of Fremantle councillor John Hedges.

Pioneers in the Prep School

Prep School boys celebrated Foundation Day this week with traditional pioneer dress, stories, games and damper baking.

Prep Chess Team Represents School Well

While business in the Prep School continued as usual, a group of young elite chess players were competing for a state title in Carramar yesterday.

Mothers' Day Pampering in ELC Salon

The Pre-Primary classrooms were transformed into a buzzing beauty salon this week as boys spoiled their mothers in celebration of a very special day.

Prep Boys Parade Christmas Cheer in Claremont

Prep students took to the streets of Claremont recently to spread the spirit of Christmas to the local community.

Prep Boys Immerse Themselves in Times Past

To celebrate Foundation Day, the Preparatory School welcomed senior storytellers to share some of their life experiences this week. The special guests were members of the Western Suburbs Branch of Tales of Times Past, a heritage storytelling group co-ordinated by the Town of Mosman Park.

Prep Boys Perform on Big Stage at IPSHA Festival

Boys from Years 4 and 6 shone on the big stage of the Perth Convention Centre last week as part of the 2011 Independent Primary School Heads of Australia (IPSHA) Performing Arts Festival. Christ Church was among 24 independent primary schools from across WA to participate in the biennial event, which was this year co-ordinated by LW Parry Preparatory School Headmaster Richard Wright.

Albert’s Design for Mars Base Wins State Competition

Eight-year-old Albert Smith (5AL) has won the junior primary section of the Mars Society Australia ‘Design a Mars Base’ competition. Judges of the competition, which was held during the recent Australian Mars Exploration Conference at UWA, described Albert’s submission as “very innovative”.

Years 3 and 4 Celebrate World Indigenous Day

Last week, the Year 3 and 4 classes celebrated World Indigenous Day with a special performance by the Wadumbah Aboriginal Dance Group as well as a range of fun activities throughout the day.

Green is good – new initiative rewards good behaviour

A new initiative in the Preparatory School, in which students are rewarded for good behavior, has the boys abuzz. Talk of green stamps, the blue level and gold tickets are all part of the Positive Relationships Plan, which aims to motivate boys to do well and achieve on a personal level.

Year 6 ahoy!

The first crop of would-be sailors took part in the Year 6 Sailing Experience this week. Boys from 6JP were the first to complete the basic sailing course at Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, which aims to engage boys in learning outside the classroom.

Prep School amongst State's top fundraisers in World’s Greatest Shave

Last week, the Preparatory School raised over $14,000 in the Leaukemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave event. While the total is still to be finalised, the amount raised by boys and staff currently places the School as the 11th largest fundraising group in the State and in the top 50 nationally.

Boys explore literacy through drama with Black Swan

Boys and teachers have lauded this year’s Year 5 Black Swan State Theatre Company experience held at the School during Term 2. Christ Church is the first school in WA to take part in the company’s new ‘Literacy through Drama Programme’.

The National Year of Reading – game on!

The National Year of Reading is in full swing at Christ Church with Senior and Preparatory boys, along with staff, taking part in a range of activities. With an emphasis on fun – the activities are designed to remind boys of the enjoyment to be gained from reading for pleasure.

Boys explore Noongar culture and stories through drama incursion

Year 3 boys learnt about Noongar culture through dance, music and language, and brought Dreamtime stories to life at a recent drama incursion. Year 3 teacher Chantal Hockey said the workshop, run by Homegrown Theatre, tied in nicely to the history curriculum and the year group’s involvement in the forthcoming NAIDOC Week assembly.

Pre-Primary and Year 5 boys build friendships

Boys from Year 5 and Pre-Primary have literally been building friendships from the ground up – through reading together and most recently, in the Tallest Tower Challenge.

Sounds of West African drums fill the Chapel

Year 5 and 6 boys had a chance to beat their own drums as part of an interactive music incursion led by one of West Africa’s top cultural ensembles. There was a drum for every boy as Salaka, which means ‘sharing’ in Ghana, taught students about African rhythm and culture in a highly entertaining, hands-on session.

Boys have teeth-gnashing fun at WA Museum

Year 4 and Preparatory Peter Moyes Centre (PMC) boys came face-to-face with prehistoric baby dinosaurs through to teeth-gnashing giants as part of the Dinosaur Petting Zoo at the WA Museum last month. Some students even went on stage to feed, pat and cuddle the life-like theatrical puppets.

Prison and Army Museum give boys insight into harsh realities of past

A visit to Fremantle Prison and the Army Museum of Western Australia, both built by convicts in the 1800s, provided Year 5 students with an opportunity for learning outside the classroom late last term. During Term 2, the boys had been studying the settlement of Australia and convicts in WA.

Year 3s put conflict resolution strategies into action

A little bit of humour went a long way with Year 3 boys last week when it came to learning about conflict resolution from Greg Mitchell. Greg’s entertaining presentation armed boys with some strategies on avoiding conflict, getting along with others and building resilience.

Years 3 and 4 embrace Olympic spirit

The Year 3 and 4 Mini Olympics, complete with a flag procession, national anthems and torch relay, was staged in the Gymnasium Precinct on Thursday morning. The boys donned bandanas and waved flags as they represented six countries in a series of modified events.

Year 6 boys could lead the world in climate change

Year 6 boys have been researching alternative energy as part of their Library Inquiry lessons. Preparatory teacher librarian Mary Hookey said the boys had created some fantastic models as tools to help explain the production of their alternative energy forms to the class.

Year 5 boys a key away from becoming Earthkeepers

Since Term 1, the Year 5 boys have been working hard towards becoming Level 1 Earthkeepers. The Earthkeepers programme is integrated through a range of subjects in the classroom and the Year 5 outdoor education journey.

It’s all about dad at Pre-Primary breakfast

Dads and significant others were treated to breakfast by their biggest fans on Friday morning. The Pre-Primary boys invited the special men in their lives to celebrate Father's Day in the Early Learning Centre.

Year 6 Father Son Breakfast provides opportunity for fun and reflection

At the end of last term, Year 6 fathers had an opportunity to share a special morning with their sons as part of the Year 6 Father Son Breakfast during the Preparatory School’s Week of the Arts.

Warm welcome for new boys

Hundreds of boys made their way back to Christ Church this week, but for 255 it was their first day at a new school. Ninety-two new boys joined Year 7 in the Senior School, 42 Pre-Primary boys and 48 new Year 4 boys entered the Preparatory School, and the Walters Residential Community welcomed 27 new boarders.

Boy-led book sale benefits Indigenous Literacy Foundation

The Preparatory School’s annual Book Club book sale raised over $420 for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Teacher librarian Mary Hookey said Book Club members, from Years 4 to 6, helped organise the sale from start to finish.

Progress on show at swimming carnival

Boys took part in the Pre-Primary to Year 2 Swimming Carnival on Tuesday – the culmination of their intensive swimming programme over the past three weeks.

Postcard from the Year 6 Canberra Tour

Pamper Palace for Pre-Primary Mums

Pre-Primary boys today hosted a special afternoon tea event in their classrooms in honour of their mothers, ahead of this year’s Mother’s Day.

Scaly friends fascinate Year 1 boys

Meeting Fluffy, a four-kilogram carpet python, along with her other reptilian friends was the highlight of a recent Year 1 incursion. The boys were fascinated by facts about the West Australian pythons and lizards and stretched their vocabulary to describe the hands-on encounters.