Our Year 10 cohort is due to return from Venture tomorrow and this will be the 30th group of boys to undertake the expedition. A few staff members who made the journey south to walk and raft with the boys returned from the trip earlier this week and have once again remarked on what an incredible experience it has been for everyone involved. The ability for boys to confront challenges, such as trekking 25km through the bush in one day, and overcome them is invaluable and often proves life changing for some of the boys. Venture provides the perfect opportunity for boys to develop and refine their leadership skills, build confidence, learn how to assess and deal with risks, and importantly build a tight sense of community with their cohort. Of course this iconic program would not be possible without the dedication of the 30 or so teachers on Venture who ensure that the students gain the maximum from this outdoor experience and I thank them for their commitment.
Our Years 3 to 6 boys enjoyed perfect weather during their swimming carnival last Thursday, photos of which can be found here. Swimming carnivals are always about participation and enjoyment and – judging by the effort I saw during their swims and their enthusiasm as they cheered for their Houses – the boys displayed plenty of both, in and out of the pool. I was fortunate enough to be poolside when a few longstanding records were also broken which made for exciting watching. It is excellent to see the facilities in the Aquatic Precinct getting frequent use as we head towards Summer.
Orientation Day, part of the “Christ Church Ready” program, took place on Friday last week, and we welcomed all of our incoming students and parents for 2021. Orientation Day is a wonderful opportunity for the boys to meet others in their House, form new friendships, familiarise themselves with the campus and hopefully mitigate any anxiety they might have about starting at a new school. Our Year 6 boys have had a number of experiences throughout the year designed to assist in their transition to the Senior School and it was great to see them using those experiences to make the new boys feel welcome. You can see photos of the Prep School events here and the Senior School events here.
Enrolments for 2021 remain strong. Our Admissions Office has worked very hard with attracting new families to the school and our broader community continue to be major advocates for the School via word of mouth.
Next week is the last week of the 2020 academic year, a year like no other for all. As we look forward to what I’m sure will be a well deserved break, I think it is important to acknowledge how much the Christ Church community has achieved since the start of the year. Our academic, sporting, pastoral and co-curricular programs have all been remarkable successes and none of this would be possible without the incredible staff and supporters in the community. We owe a debt of gratitude to these dedicated and talented people who come to school every day to assist the boys in achieving their best and making a positive difference.
I will be in touch shortly with an email outlining specifics that will assist with the start of the new school year.
It was brilliant to meet all our future Year 7’s and the “Class of 2026” last Friday at Orientation Day. I hope all parents have by now received their copy of the Strength Switch book, and parent badges. If you are yet to receive these, please contact our Reception on (08) 9442 1555 to get these out to you. I hope you have also had the chance to read through the booklet, “Commencing the Senior School Journey” that your son would have received at the end of the day. I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to all the teaching and support staff that made the day a memorable event for the boys. I would also like to thank all the parents who provided their positive feedback about the day.
I spent the weekend down at Venture, canoeing, trekking and talking to our Year 10s and staff. For those parents with sons in Year 10 I am sure when you collect him tomorrow he will be exhausted and full of stories to tell. Buses are due to arrive back from Venture tomorrow afternoon, you will have received an email yesterday with the expected time of return and pickup location.
I remind all students that once they arrive at school in the morning, they are to remain on campus. Boys are not to go to Claremont Quarter, they must remain at school. The school canteen is open in the morning for breakfast.
There is now only one week of classes left for and our final day of term being Thursday 3 December, when we will host our Final Assembly and Prize Giving Ceremony. I would like to take this opportunity to remind our boys to embrace and practice compassion and generosity in this final week of term and throughout the upcoming festive season. The Dalai Lama’s quote, “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible” is a simple reminder that we should always be kind, without any thought of reward.
Upcoming Events
Year 8 OQD Information evening and PA Sundowner – Thursday 26 November
Year 10 Peer support training days – Monday 30 November to Tuesday 1 December
Year 7 book return – Monday 30 November
Year 8 book return – Tuesday 1 December
Year 9 book return – Wednesday 2 December
Christmas Carol Service – 7.30pm Wednesday 2 December
Year 7 – 11 Final Assembly and Prize Giving – Thursday 3 December
Final day of Term 4 – Thursday 3 December
Last Friday, all classes from the Preparatory School took part in our annual Orientation day in preparation for the 2021 school year. We welcomed new boys to the Preparatory School across all year levels, enabling each class to have a day together. With the help of all the Preparatory School staff the boys engaged in a range of fun activities and spent time with their new classmates.
Tuesday was a celebration of sport in the Preparatory School, with special guest Bill Kirby OAM and Olympic gold medallist taking the time to speak to the boys and present the sport award winners. Bill offered some great advice to the boys, shared some inspiring and funny stories about his journey and his ultimate success in achieving a gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Congratulations to all the boys who represented the School this year.
As you read this CCGS World article our Years Five and Six teams were engaged in their final fixture for the year against Guildford Grammar. Despite Covid-19, it has been great to see all the boys participate as a team each week against the other PSA schools. Well done to all the boys for their efforts throughout the Winter and Summer seasons.
Friday is our Preparatory School Final Prize Giving Assembly where we recognise boys from Years 3 to 6 for academic excellence, citizenship and general merits. This is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the academic program and the values personified across the Preparatory School. Our Final Prize Giving Assembly commences at 8.35am in the Chapel.
The week ahead: Week 8 (Final week of Term 4)
Monday 30 November: Wardung House Fundraiser for Men’s Mental Health
Wednesday 2 December: Year 6 Farewell Assembly (Chapel)
Thursday 3 December: Whole School Activity Day and House Christmas Parties
Friday 4 December: Christmas Chapel and ELC Nativity
Finish Times – Friday 4 December
Pre-Kindy, Kindy and Pre-Primary: 12.00pm
Year 1: 12.10pm
Years 2 and 3: 12.20pm
Years 4, 5 and 6: 12.30pm
