Published on: 17 March 2022

  • Pre-Primary Strings Program
  • Live Marks now available on Nexus
  • Student Device Program
  • Ride to School Week

The Pre-Primary boys have been participating in group violin or cello lessons since the beginning of the term with the help of specialist music tutors. In Week 2, the very excited boys received their instrument and learnt how to care for it, carry it safely and name all the parts of the instrument. Currently all boys are able to play a simple song using the string technique pizzicato (plucking the strings), play with the correct posture and demonstrate the beginnings of bow hold through the ‘magic circle’. Through the use of practice videos, parents and boys are able to access all songs and skills learnt during class at home. It is fantastic to see how our young musicians are progressing week to week.

Parents of boys from Years 3 to 6 are now able to see marks for some of the assessments completed through Nexus Live Marks. Teachers will continue to send home completed assessments for parents to see as well as publish marks through Nexus. All learning areas from Years 3 to 6 will have published marks and as the semester progresses, parents will be able to view their son’s marks, the average for the cohort for any given assessment as well as a progressive score for each boy for all learning areas for the semester. Feedback is important and enables the boys to reflect on their learning and most importantly, make adjustments to further improve their learning. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank Mr Jay Pyefinch (Deputy Head – Studies), Dr Geoffrey Alagoda (Director of Information and Learning Technologies) and the Preparatory School teachers for all of their time and effort in developing this new initiative.

I would like to thank all parents and teachers for the recent Parent/Teacher interviews through Microsoft Teams. This was a smooth process that allowed important feedback to be communicated regarding your son’s progress. Until we are able to conduct face to face Parent Teacher Interviews, we will continue to use this platform to ensure we are working closely with you to best support your son’s learning.

All Preparatory School boys have access to an iPad device which is provided by the School. Currently all students across the Preparatory School are taking devices home each day during this COVID wave we are experiencing. It is important that the same approach to device use and care, which is communicated in the classroom, is supported by parents when boys take their devices home. Can I please ask all parents to familiarise themselves with information contained in the CCGS Student Device Program and in particular the Expectations of boys with take-home devices and damage or loss.

Next week is Ride to School Week and we strongly encourage boys to take this opportunity to ride their bicycles to School. This not only eases the traffic congestion during drop-off and pick up times, but assists in enhancing our boy’s physical health, levels of independence and confidence. The Term 1 House Captains will greet all boys who ride to school and present them with a raffle ticket for a prize to be drawn each day. I look forward to seeing many boys participate in this terrific initiative.

Dr. Steven Males
Head of Preparatory School