Head of Preparatory School - Edition 2 - 2019

Goal Setting

It is my hope that for all of the students in the Preparatory School, this school year has started well. I hope that each of the students have met some new people – maybe even made some new friends. There will be new team mates and in most instances even a teacher they haven’t had before.

Two weeks ago, I asked the students to set some personal goals for the term, these may be academic, social, a work habit or even something outside of the classroom. If they haven’t already, I encourage them to, so that they can refer to them and keep working toward the goals as the term progresses. It would be wonderful if parents could ask about these goals so that it is a shared endeavour.

Student Representatives

At Westminster we believe that students have a voice and are able to make a valuable contribution to their school. It is important that students be given the opportunity to express their views on issues of concern to them in the School and work together to generate and implement ideas. It is equally important that they are listened to and encouraged to take an active part in promoting the aims and objectives of the School.

The Student Representative Council in the Prep School increases student involvement and participation, and supports students working through democratic processes to bring about change and deal with issues that they deem as important for their school and wider community.

Student Leaders in Years 2 to 4 are voted in by their peers as Class Representatives for a year. There is one representative from each class and a deputy who stands in when leaders are absent.

In Years 5 to 7 each class has two Student Representatives who attend meetings.

The Year 7 Leaders who represent certain aspects of Westminster School including Sport, Environment, Music, Junior Primary and Service also attend meetings. Their role is to take on board any issues or ideas that arise during meetings that are relevant to their area and lead the SRC in taking action.

All student leaders are supported and encouraged by their classroom teachers to run regular class meetings where the sharing of ideas and information occurs. These meetings are opportunities for students to discuss issues or ideas in reference to their community, school or class.

The Student Representative Council (SRC) meets fortnightly. These are formal meetings where the agenda is set, meeting chaired and minutes taken by the Year 7 Leaders with support from myself and Mr Stuart Burns.

The Year 7 Junior Primary Liaison Leader meets monthly with students in Reception and Year 1 and shares the minutes from SRC meetings, as well as adding any views, issues or ideas that are raised by students in Reception and Year 1 to the SRC agenda.

Congratulations to the students below who will be representing their class for 2019;

The Year 7 Leaders who will lead the SRC are;

Leader of Sport – Sebastian Ireland
Leader of Environment - Jacob Frankel
Leader of Music – Juliet Tainton
Leader of Junior Primary– Charlotte Ward
Leader of Service – Chanelle Jayakody

All representatives were presented with a badge at our Week 2 Assembly to signify to the School community the special role they have.

Mrs Sharyn Darrell
Deputy Middle Primary

An International Opportunity

Do you have a child in Years 5, 6 or 7? Would you like them to experience another part of this wonderful world that we live in? If so, this could be for you.

Since 2005 the biennial Preparatory School Japan Tour has been a program at Westminster and all the participants have experienced the trip of a lifetime.

It features several school visits, spending time with buddies, a chance to experience traditional Japanese style accommodation, sightseeing, as well as two fun-filled days at Tokyo Disney Resort.

Photos from the last Japan Tour

The next tour is scheduled for later this year from the last week of Term 3 (starting Monday 23 September) to the end of the first week of the holidays (Saturday 5 October). The exact dates are to be determined after the flight information and the Japanese school visits are confirmed.

We are seeking expressions of interest from any students in Years 5 to 7. This is a cultural tour and therefore knowledge of Japanese language or even studying Japanese at School, is not a requirement.

For those interested in finding out more, an information evening will be held in the Haslam Library at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 27 February.

Ms Kaori Kamei
Japanese Teacher

Seesaw

Over the last few years our younger classes have been utilising an application called Seesaw. I think that everyone would agree that this has been successful and that it has been a wonderful way for our students to share their learning journey with their parents. Recording their learning through photos, voice recordings, journals and even video has hopefully made parents feel very much a part of their child’s journey. This application is exclusively for our students to communicate their learning journey with parents. Please note that it is not a communication tool for parents to converse with the teacher. If you need to communicate with our staff please use email, write a note in your child’s diary or make a time to come and see us. Moving forward, SEQTA will become a significant platform to communicate with your child’s teacher Extended family members are also asked to not utilise this system as we have had issues around management and privacy. Hopefully this will remain an amazing tool for our students to communicate directly with you and promote rich discussions at home.

Mr Danny Page
Deputy Junior Primary

Diary Dates

• Year 7 Camp – Monday 25 February to Friday 1 March, Canberra
• Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) – Tuesday 5 March
• JP Sports Day – Friday 8 March
• Adelaide Cup Public Holiday – Monday 11 March
• Prep Sports Day Field Events – Wednesday 13 March
• Prep Sports Day – Friday 15 March
• Parent/Teacher Interviews – Week 8, commencing Monday 18 March
• Westminster School Fun Fair – Saturday 23 March, Prep School Oval
• Tenebrae Service – Sunday 7 April, 7.00 pm, Chapel
• End of Term – Friday 12 April, 1.00 pm dismissal
• Start of Term 2 – Tuesday 30 April, 8.45 am

Grant Bock
Head of Preparatory School