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• Welcome back
• New student orientation
• Holiday activities
• Academic success

Welcome to the 2026 school year. It is a pleasure to see both new and returning families, and to share a sense of optimism for the learning, growth and opportunities that lie ahead for every student in our care.

Last week, more than 200 students and their families joined us on campus for orientation. It is always special to meet new members of the Christ Church community, and particularly valuable for our newest students to familiarise themselves with their peers, teachers, Tutors and Head of House. Our new boarders also had an opportunity to spend their first night on campus as part of this important transition.

As our community gathered to begin the year, we paused to reflect on the events that occurred at Bondi Beach. I attended a service at St George’s Cathedral on the national day of mourning and we joined others across the country in lowering our flags to half-mast and observing a minute’s silence. We take great pride in our diverse community and standing shoulder to shoulder with all of our community members demonstrating care, compassion and understanding.

Although the academic year has only just begun, many students and staff were actively engaged in school life over the holidays. The Trans-Tasman Water Polo Tour offered competition and team-building experiences, culminating in the team earning a bronze medal. The Augusta Rowing Camp involved intensive training. Students contributed to meaningful community projects, and closer to home, our swimmers commenced their pre-season program with wonderful enthusiasm and focus. Read about the Service in Action Cambodia trip here

On Tuesday, we welcomed 24 new members into the 99 Club at our annual Scholars’ Assembly. This event sets an inspiring tone for the year ahead, connecting all current students with our youngest alumni and celebrating their academic excellence. The 2025 cohort set a record for the number of students achieving an ATAR that places them in the top 1% of the state. We also inducted our Christ Church Scholars – outstanding Year 10 and 11 students who earned five A grades in Semesters 1 and 2 of 2025. Read more here

This term, we are also pleased to welcome several new staff members with experience, energy and commitment that will further strengthen the outstanding learning and pastoral care provided across the School.

We look forward with confidence that, together, staff, students and families will make 2026 a year of progress, opportunity and connection.

I look forward to seeing many of you on campus this term.

Alan Jones
Principal

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• Orientation Day
• Transition Week
• Parent communication
• Sport and sun safety
• Building good daily routines

May I extend a warm welcome to our new Christ Church families and a welcome back to our existing families. I am sure the break allowed everyone to spend valuable time with their families and enjoy essential rest in preparation for the academic year ahead. I would also like to extend a welcome to the new staff joining us this year.

Friday’s new students’ Orientation Day was a great success as students and their parents met with their Heads of House and Tutors. It was great to also meet the new boarders on the Thursday evening as they participated in their boarding orientations. Both events provide an important foundation to making a good start at CCGS.

We have continued the tradition of Week 1 for Year 7 students being a “Transition Week”. This week is all about discovering the School, the roles people play, how to get around the school, providing time for play and developing their understanding about their device. The aim is to ensure that by next week they are ready to hit the ground running with a full week of academic classes.

During the early stages of the school year, it is very important to establish good communication links with Tutors and Heads of House. Our Parent/Tutor/Student Interviews for Years 8 to 12 in Week 3, Monday 9 February will provide a formal opportunity for this with meetings to identify opportunities and set goals for 2026. The process of reflecting on last year’s school report and goal setting is very important for students to grasp as they set about improving and achieving their personal best. Information to book these interviews will be sent out by the end of the week.

First teams have been training hard over the holidays, and some of these teams will take on the Old Boys this Saturday morning at CCGS across the gymnasiums, MLC tennis courts and the water polo pool. If you would like to come down and support the boys, play begins at 9.45am. A reminder to ensure your son has the appropriate equipment for his participation in his chosen sport including a mouthguard for certain sports. For better sun protection, a school hat and sunscreen must be worn when outside for extended periods. This includes lunchtimes, PE lessons, sport and activities. Please ensure your son has a hat in his bag each day and all items (uniform and books) are clearly labelled (eg Jamie Foster – N-JFW) in case they are misplaced.

Lastly, it is important that the boys quickly establish good routines to ensure they begin each day, whether it be with sport, music or tutorial in the best manner possible. The school day begins promptly at 8.30am and it is very important that they are in tutorial on time and well presented (with the correct shoes and socks). Please ensure that you and your son factor in any increased transport issues to his daily commute.

Upcoming Senior School Events

• Old Boys v 1st Teams – Saturday 31 January 9.45am
• Year 11 Ad Astra – Wednesday 4 February
• PSA Sport v Aquinas – Friday 6 and Saturday 7 February
• PSA Rowing Regatta 1 – Saturday 7 February, Champion Lakes
• Swim Meet v Trinity – Friday 6 February at 4.30pm
• Year 8 to 12 Parent/Tutor/Student Interviews – Monday 9 February
• We are W/M – Consent and Health Relationships Community Presentation – Tuesday 10 February 6.00pm – Register here
• CCGS Valentines Swim meet – Friday 13 February at 4.30pm
• PSA Sport v Scotch – Friday 13 and Saturday 14 February
• PSA Rowing Regatta 2 – Saturday 14 February, Champion Lakes
• House Swimming Carnival – Tuesday 17 February at 5.30pm – This will be a live streamed event
• Senior School Classes begin at 9.45am – Wednesday 18 February
• CCGS Birthday Service – Thursday 19 February 9.00am to 10.00am

Jamie Foster
Deputy Principal/Head of Senior School

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• Parent Information Night
• Supporting children’s wellbeing
• Parent/Teacher interviews
• Celebrating student leadership
• Co-curricular and sport programs

Welcome to the 2026 academic year. We had a fantastic start to the term and the Preparatory School was abuzz with excitement on day one. We welcomed 101 new boys and their families to the School and we look forward to the various events and opportunities to meet over the coming weeks.

It was great to see so many of our families attend the 2026 Parent Information Night and spend some time with their son’s teacher. As mentioned at the parent session at the Chapel, renowned Australian psychologist and author Steve Biddulph offers some great insights from his book ‘Wild Creature Mind’ about how to support the development of children. Some of these include the understanding that children’s brains are still under construction, particularly the areas responsible for emotional regulation. Biddulph highlights that children borrow calm from adults around them before they manage emotions independently. A steady, regulated adult presence is one of the most powerful tools in any classroom or at home. He also mentions the need for unstructured play, time outdoors, and physical movement to help reset the nervous system and support emotional balance. To conclude, Biddulph reiterates; children feel most secure when adults combine warmth with confidence. Calm authority, rather than control or fear, allows children to relax and trust. When adults manage their stress, they create environments where children can flourish.

As outlined at these meetings, 2026 is shaping up to be a busy year and our teachers will guide the boys with their learning experiences each term. A reminder that parent/teacher interviews will take place in Weeks 7 and 8 of Term 1 and more information will follow closer to the date.

During this week’s Preparatory School assembly, all Term 1 House, Class, Chapel Captains, various monitors and the School Captain will be acknowledged in front of their peers. It is always impressive to see so many boys across the Preparatory School express their interest in positions of responsibility.

All our co-curricular and Year 5 and 6 sport programs commence in Week 2 as per the previous communications. If required, the School will follow extreme weather policies and may therefore modify training or fixtures in which case families will be notified.

We wish all members of our Preparatory School community a wonderful, fulfilling, and successful 2026. May the year ahead bring growth, connection, and many memorable moments for our boys and their families.

Dr. Steven Males
Head of Preparatory School