Published on: 18 February 2021

  • Parent Forum
  • Talk for Writing
  • Parent Education Sessions
  • New Parent Dinner

Tuesday morning, we hosted the first Parent Forum for 2021. Our two deputies Jay Pyefinch (Academic) and Kim Morcom (Pastoral) provided information about both the writing focus across the School and the evidence-based School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) framework. Our SWPBS fosters teaching and learning environments that:

  • explicitly teach boys expected behaviours and appropriate ways to interact within their community;
  • maximise academic engagement and achievement for all students;
  • are respectful and inclusive;
  • set high academic and behavioural expectations;
  • positively addresses classroom management; and
  • targets support for boys who require additional assistance for their behaviour and social and emotional wellbeing.

 

SWPBS is a proactive approach based on the belief that:

  • relationships are the foundation for social and academic achievement;
  • student achievement is maximised when staff develop positive classroom cultures that promote and exemplify positive student behaviour and interactions and make students feel that they are both cared for and supported to succeed;
  • the individual needs of students while some students benefit from individualised support; and
  • combined with a rigorous academic program, this learning framework enables learners to deeply apply their skills, knowledge, and social-emotional awareness to the world around them.

 

Some of the initiatives for 2021 are:

  • Vertical House Groups (VHG and building)
  • Signage and promotion of our values
  • Leadership and positive relationship programs for Year 5 and 6
  • The Knights Quest for Year 6

 

Talk for writing has a focus on raising standards, accessing and extensive use of texts and allowing boys to familiarise themselves with a range of genres. The process of imitation, innovation and independent application is supported by the use of selected texts. Additionally, this year the School has developed a Handwriting scope and sequence to further support the introduction of age and stage appropriate exercise books for boys across the School.

Throughout 2021, the Christ Church Preparatory School will be conducting four Parent Education sessions (Parent Series) covering relevant topics for our boy’s development. The first session took place Wednesday 17 February in the Preparatory Staffroom by our School Psychologist, Kate Atkinson (School Psychologist). The session was titled Building Emotionally Resilient Boys and covered topics such as:

  • What is emotional resilience?
  • What are the building blocks of resilience?
  • How to name your emotions and express them appropriately
  • Coping strategies
  • Dealing with difficult emotions

 

The next session will be held in Term 2 and information will be provided through CCGS World and classroom newsletters.

Another highlight of the week was the new parent dinner which took place Wednesday night in Manjar Square. All our new families came together and were welcomed into the School by both our School Principal Alan Jones and Chair of School Council Professor Paul Johnson.

Chinese New Year is currently being celebrated across the globe by many and recently our Prep School boys enjoyed learning about the Guzheng during their Chinese lessons. Thank you to Ms. Xueyan Chen for performing and teaching the boys about the instrument and Ms. Li Liu for organising this unique experience. I want to wish our families a Happy Chinese New Year – 新年快乐.

Congratulations to the following Building Good Men recipients for this week.

Best wishes for the week ahead!

Dr Steven Males
Head of Preparatory School