I hope they are refreshed

As the students have returned to school, I hope that they, along with their family, had a great break and the opportunity to recharge. This will be really important as the term ahead is incredibly full, with many exciting opportunities for students in all year levels across the Preparatory School. The term is a shorter one, but we have managed to fill it to the brim. This week as an example we have a co-curricular dance concert, PAT academic testing, swimming lessons started, and the Middle Primary performance of ‘The Menagerie’. This is on top of all of the regular activities. Hopefully the energy levels start the term on a high.

Staffing

I am very pleased to be able to bring you up to speed with a staffing development.

Mr Tim Weatherald has accepted the position of Head of Prep PE and Sport, commencing at the beginning of 2019. Tim has an impressive sporting background and is currently Director of Elite Sport and Community Sport at The Essington International School, Darwin. Tim will be moving back to Adelaide along with his wife Marnie, and four daughters, and we look forward to welcoming his family into the Westminster community.

Ms Kate Harrison-Duncan has moved from the Haslam Library to fill the role vacated by Ms Hussey at the beginning of this term. Ms Harrison-Duncan has been an outstanding acquisition as our library trainee and I am extremely confident that her skill set will help her to become just as effective in the ‘front of house’ role beside Mrs Campbell in the Prep Office.

Year 7 like never before

This year the Year 7 students have experienced Mathematics with a difference. The students have been team taught by Mathematics specialists from the Senior School alongside the Year 7 teaching team. Mrs Phillips (Curriculum Leader of Mathematics), Mr Burns, and the team have planned a completely revised curriculum this year, which has seen the students completing a range of different learning activities and assessments.

This year the students have taken part in the ChooseMATHS awards, showcasing their STEAM learning by producing videos to show why Mathematics is vital for the future of our planet. The students have also taken part in a range of Mathematics challenges and competitions, one of which is the South Australian Mathematics Talent Quest for Primary and Secondary Students. This competition allows students to find a problem relating to an area of interest and use Mathematics to solve the problem. Many of our students were recognised for their outstanding work, whilst some of our students work was selected to be entered into the National Mathematics Talent Quest. Westminster had more entries selected from the South Australian competition than any other school to go forward to represent South Australia in the National competition. We would like to acknowledge the following students for their excellent work:

State Prize Winner - Veda Muthineni (Year 7 Charter)

High Commendation - Branden Sylaidis (Year 7 Mace), Srujan Saxena (Year 7 Crown), Jasmine Parry (Year 7 Crown), Sebastien Cheesman-Dutton (Year 7 Wyvern), and Shalin Bigwood (Year 7 Charter).

More Maths Success

The International Competitions for Australian Schools (ICAS) are held annually through the University of NSW in many subject areas.

There were 55 students involved in the ICAS Mathematics Competition from Years 3 to 7. Westminster Preparatory students were awarded two High Distinction, 11 Distinction, 16 Credit, six Merit and 20 Participation certificates.

Students awarded High Distinctions were Sebastian Ireland (Year 6 Crown) and Jenny Xu (Year 7 Charter).

Students awarded Distinctions were Neil Anand (Year 3 Wyvern), Joshua Judd (Year 3 Abbey), Harry Davison (Year 4 Wesley), Devansh Singhal (Year 4 Wyvern), Gerard McGinley (Year 4 Mace), Diya Patel (Year 5 Wesley), Suhavi Sethi (Year 5 Crown), Jeffery Wang (Year 5 Mace), Ethan Williams (Year 5 Abbey), Veda Muthineni (Year 7 Charter) and Ella Williams (Year 7 Abbey).

Poise on Display

Earlier this year Mia Chen (Year 2 Abbey) attended her first dance solo competition at South Australia Stage Dance (SASDS). Competing with other dancers her age from across the State, Mia won 1st place for Under 8 Jazz Solo Open and 2nd place for Under 8 Classical Ballet Open.

Mia Chen In A Ballet Tutu At A Dance Competition

Soccer Selection

Sonny Sposato (Reception Abbey) has been selected in the Adelaide City Football (Soccer) Club Under 8s team. He was involved in numerous trials late last term, and successfully made it through which is a great achievement for a six year old. Congratulations Sonny!

Athletics

Recently Gjsovaun Brijmohan (Year 7 Abbey) participated in the Viva All Schools Athletics Championships 2018 at Santos Stadium.

He had a very successful meet, and in the 100m he won Silver and in the 200m Bronze, essentially getting selected to represent the State at the National All School Championships in Cairns, from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 December 2018.

Gjsovaun Brijmohan Viewed From The Side Running At The All Schools Athletics Championships

Gjsovaun Brijmohan Viewed From The Front Running At The All Schools Athletics Championships

State Championships

The SAPSASA Track and Field Championships were held in the last week of Term 3 at Athletics SA Stadium. The following students won medals. They were also part of the winning South West District team that won the Metropolitan State Day. Sam, Katie, and Gjsovaun have now qualified to represent South Australia at the National Championships later this term.

State Day Medals

Silver - Simon Zefi (Year 5 Mace), 10 year old 4x100m relay
Gold - Gjsovaun Brijmohan (Year 7 Abbey), 13 year old 100 metres
Gold - Katie Natt (Year 7 Crown), 12 year old 800 metres
Bronze - Sam McClarron (Year 5 Mace), 10 year old 800 metres
Silver - Tim Alver (Year 5 Abbey), 11 year old 4x100 metre relay
Bronze - Declan Kolb (Year 7 Wyvern), 13 year old 800m

Diary Dates

Prep School Aquatics commence Monday 22 October
Years 3/4/5 Performance – 7.00 pm, Thursday 25 October
Year 7 Excursion to Botanic Gardens – Friday 26 October
Prep Showcase – 7.00 pm, Tuesday 30 October
Years 3/4/5 Swimming Carnival – Friday 2 November
Years 6/7 Swimming Carnival – Monday 5 November
Year 2 Excursion to Noarlunga – 14 November
2019 Reception Orientation begins – Thursday 15 November
Year 4 Camp – Monday 19 November
Year 3 Strings and Year 5 Band Concerts – Tuesday 20 November
Casuals Day – Friday 30 November
Prep Instrumental Concerts begin Monday 26 November
Year 7 Disco – Monday 3 December
Nativity & Carols evening – 6.00 pm, Thursday 6 December
Prep School Certificate Ceremony – 2.00 pm, Tuesday 11 December
Last day of Term 4 – Wednesday 12 December, dismissal at 1.00 pm

Grant Bock
Head of Preparatory School