Published on: 7 June 2018

It has been another big week for all the boys in the Prep School and our Year 6s in particular enjoyed the finals of the Speakers’ Challenge. Tomorrow, our Year 6s will join our Year 12 Prefects for the transition to Senior School lunch, one of the many transition events designed to deliver a smooth transition to the Senior School. Having had my eldest son experience the process, moving from seven years in the Prep School to the Senior School, I have been exceptionally pleased with how this transition works and the support that is in place for all boys across the School.

The Speakers’ Challenge is always a highlight. When I introduced Drama and Dance and the Oracy program for Years 3 to 6, it was because the skill of public speaking is required in every future educational option and employment opportunity. It is a skill our boys tend to excel at and therefore a case of strengths-based teaching. The boys who will represent the School at this year’s IPSHA Speakers’ Challenge are Aaron Goh (1st place), Gabriel Haselhurst (2nd place) and Dilan Baskaranathan (3rd place). Highly commended speakers being Jonah Hanikeri and Jakob Akhlil. The standard this year was truly exceptional and I would have been proud to have any of the finalists represent the School. My congratulations to them all.

The Oracy program has closed after the change of a number of members, however this week I received communications informing me it will be in place again next year. I believe this external examination adds much to our already strong public speaking program.

Finally, as I announced to the boys our new and permanent music teacher joined us at the beginning of this term. Mrs Eboney Yapp comes from All Saints College and has an incredible skill set and passion and enthusiasm for Music. I am sure the boys have enjoyed their introduction to Mrs Yapp during the first half of the term.

Richard Wright
Head of the LW Parry Preparatory School