Success beyond school – introducing Shark Tank in 2022
It was great to have the boys back this week and to see that the presentation and grooming guidelines disseminated at the conclusion of Term 2 were reviewed and actioned over the break. Thank you.
Following an extensive search, I am pleased to announce a new member to the School’s Executive team and the Director of Advancement – Ms Amy House. Amy brings experience in leading transformational campaigns and establishing and embedding long-term program growth, and will work alongside myself and Chair of Council Paul Johnson on significant fund raising projects for the School. Amy is currently Director of Advancement at Murdoch University and commences at the School in mid-August.
The School’s Master Plan guides the development of property, particularly the physical space, for the next 5 to 20 years, ensuring it is aligned with the strategic plan and educational needs. The School has created a Master Plan video which will be launched shortly to the Christ Church community. Part of the current Master Plan is St John’s Wood Phase 2, and we are hoping to hear about its successful purchase this year. If approved, this land will be a spectacular resource for every student, families and the wider community, and supports our approach to boys being physically active and reaping the benefits that come from this, in particular mental health.
Competencies, future-ready skills, 21st century skills all involve students doing something. Next year the School will be introducing new courses which continue to address the skills required for success beyond school, including for Year 10 students – Shark Tank. This year-long subject is designed to immerse students in the development of entrepreneurial and innovative thinking. They will be challenged to identify existing and future problems before undertaking a process to conceive a range of original solutions and then actually create and market a product to solve these real-world issues.
Welcome back to Term 3, which is looking to be jam packed. I would like to thank parents for their support as we seek to improve the standards of the boys’ presentation and I was glad to witness our Senior School boys wearing their uniform with pride. I am also sure the local businesses were happy for the extra patronage with an increase in demand for haircuts.
Parent/Student/Tutor interviews will be held this Monday evening. In anticipation of these interviews, I ask that all parents ensure that their son has read their Semester 1 report for the purposes of reflection. Your son will receive an email from his Head of House today with a document to assist with the reflection process. These interviews are also an opportunity to reflect on goals made at the beginning of the year and to discuss goals for the remainder of the year. Goal setting is an important tool for teenage boys to help them gain a sense of direction, motivation and focus.
Senior boys have started preparations for the House Shout competition, which was cancelled last year due to Covid restrictions in 2020. This is always a high energy event and there is a real buzz around the Houses with this event back on the calendar this year.
The rescheduled House Teams Carnival will take place on Tuesday 3 August at our Mt Claremont and St Johns Wood playing fields from 1.30pm to 4.30pm. More detail will follow on the schedule of events in the coming weeks.
Welcome back to the start of Term Three. I would like to congratulate all the boys for their fine start to the term, and I am looking forward to another productive and rewarding start to the semester. Many of the boys have been working with their classroom teachers to reflect upon last term and have set specific goals for Term Three.
All our Term Three captains, monitors and School Captain will be presented at our Friday assembly in the Chapel. I would like to congratulate and wish all these boys the best for the term ahead. Additionally, we will be farewelling Mrs Kate Marshall, who after 22 years of dedicated service has decided to conclude her time at Christ Church.
I would like to invite families to attend the Preparatory School Winter Music Concert next Tuesday 27 July commencing at 6.00pm in the Chapel.
Our Years 5 and 6 boys are excited for the commencement of Term 3 sport with the JPSSA fixture against Aquinas College taking place this Thursday. Finally, a reminder that all co-curricular clubs commence next week.
