This week Little Queenslea Drive (LQD) for 2026 commenced, with the first overnight learning experience for our Year 4 students. Designed as a gentle introduction to life away from home, LQD focuses on building social connection, developing independence, and fostering confidence through shared experiences. The program aligns with the School’s Years 3 and 4 Phases of Learning and provides the boys with an insight into our Year 9 nationally acclaimed program, OQD. Across the two-day experience, students take part in activities such as team-building games, raft construction at the River Precinct, a race around campus and water polo in the Aquatic Precinct. Read more here
This evening, the Old Boys’ Association (OBA) hosts the Young Old Boys’ Summer Session at Gage Roads Fremantle, an event inviting recent graduates to reconnect with peers and meet the OBA Committee members. It is always a highlight of the OBA calendar, celebrating the spirit of connection that keeps our old boys engaged with one another once they have left school.
Earlier today, Round 1 of the House Arts Competition saw Senior School students showcase their talents and House spirit across a range of creative disciplines. This opening round sets the tone for a year of spirited creativity and collaboration, following the House Swimming Carnival last week, the first event in this year’s Beatty Cup House Competition.
The area in and around Claremont Quarter is changing as construction of a new complex is now underway. Friday afternoons in particular, a high concentration of students from several neighbouring schools gather in the Quarter and at nearby fast-food locations and this can often draw unwanted attention and lead to inappropriate interactions. To ensure students remain in safe environments once the school day has concluded, please encourage your son to head home or to an alternative location rather than lingering.
It is difficult to believe that we have reached the mid-term break for Term 1 2026. Boys will use this time to rest and recuperate and catch up socially with friends.
While there are three rounds of the summer sport season still to go, there was a hive of activity this week as students confirmed their winter sports and preseason discussions got underway. A reminder that mouthguards are compulsory for students participating in AFL, Rugby and Hockey so please ensure your son has one if necessary ready for training in Week 10. Galadent will be at school next week fitting mouthguards so please refer to the information in the Parent Year Group notices for more information.
In many respects we live in a great part of the world but there are situations that present concerns every now and then. There have been a couple of incidents recently, around the Claremont Quarter and local train station precincts, that started as intimidation but escalated into a physical altercation. Luckily no serious injuries have resulted. Please remind your son to stay together as a group where possible and keep moving if they see anyone untoward.
As we finish Week 5 of Term 1 and look forward to a long weekend, we encourage the students to take stock of their position in all subjects, particularly after the first round of assessments. Our Year 11 and 12 students, should use this time to get down to the business of learning, while our younger boys may need some help with establishing some good habits and routines. This break is an important opportunity for parents to check on your son’s progress and to discuss with him how he has found the first five weeks of the school year.
Our clear expectations and consistent follow-through with the wearing of school hats has strengthened our sun-safe culture this term. We appreciate your help with reinforcing the School’s hat policy with your son and ask that all hats and clothing be clearly named. The mid-term break is also an opportune time for students to get their hair cut, find their school socks and polish their shoes. For some, it is a week or two overdue, so it would be appreciated, if parents can ensure their son is compliant with the School’s presentation standards on their return from the mid-term break.
Upcoming Senior School Events
Mid Term Break – No School Friday 27 February and Monday 2 March
Year 7 Parent Forum – Tuesday 3 March, 9.00am to 10.30am
Formative assessment is critical in the learning process and happens constantly within our classrooms. Formative assessment involves checking knowledge and understanding throughout the learning process, showing our boys and teachers what has been learned and what areas need more work. Formative assessment and feedback are some of the most powerful tools to support student learning. Feedback enables boys to understand where they are in their learning and understand what steps are required to progress their learning. As a School, we aim to provide boys with timely feedback so they can apply this to their learning.
Little Queenslea Drive (LQD) commenced this week for our Year 4 boys with 4MT and 4LH experiencing their team building activities and overnight stay in our boarding facilities. The LQD experience complements the Phases of Learning and provides boys with wonderful opportunities to grow their participation, co-operation, collaboration, resilience, and team membership. We wish all Year 4 boys the best for this experience and hope the activities and experiences promote new friendships.
As part of our Parent Series, school psychologist Kate Atkinson presented Raising Emotionally Resilient Boys sharing practical strategies to help children manage emotions and develop coping skills. Parents learned:
What emotional resilience is and why it matters
How children can recognise, express, and manage emotions
Ways to support children through disappointment, stress, and negative feelings
Find a recording of the presentation here. We look forward to our second Parent Series taking place in Term 2.
Year 6 camps to Kooringal commence next week with 6RB and 6FT departing on Tuesday morning and returning Friday. The Kooringal experience is one that is highly valued by the School and provides boys with opportunities to engage with the natural environment, foster new friendships and collaboratively solve problems in our outdoor education facility located in Dwellingup. We wish our Year 6 boys all the best for this important and memorable experience.
