Head of Preparatory School - Edition 6 - 2021

Welcome Back

I am delighted to report that the students (and the staff for that matter) have returned to school well-rested and excited about what Term 2 has in store for us all.

As is usually the case, some new faces about the campus have added to the feeling of excitement. We have welcomed Vansh Gupta (Year 1 Wesley) and Luca Kelly (Year 5 Wesley) who have started with us and are settling into the routines and opportunities that Westminster is able to provide. In our Early Learning Centre, I would also like to add a special welcome to Zara Fejer, Misti Gohel, Kia Gould, Marina Lee, Sophie Leucuta, Phoebe Li, Jacob Matusiak, Hunter Packham, Owen Patritti, Edward Sam, Rivaan Sharma, and Chantelle Yang.

New staff faces too…

Joining the Preparatory School staff team from the start of term we have welcomed Mrs Ali Barr. Ali has been a teacher for over 16 years and started her career in her homeland of Scotland. Having moved to Australia in 2009, she worked in the Catholic Education sector for the past 11 years, most recently as Learning Improvement Coordinator and Leader of Year 3/4 at McAuley Community School at Hove. Ali has taught all year levels from Reception to Year 7, has held positions in curriculum and school leadership for the past seven years and is accredited by AITSL as a Highly Accomplished Teacher. She specialises in STEM, Science, Mathematics and Digital Technology, with a particular interest in Robotics and Engineering. Ali loves learning and is currently finishing her thesis for an education Masters in Research at UniSA, which focuses on Literacy Development using 21^st Century pedagogies. She is committed to academic excellence, fostering curiosity and inquiry, and building strong relationships with all staff, students and their families. In her spare time, she loves to spend time with her husband and son, travel, read, enjoy live music with friends, support her local footy club and walk her pugalier in the beautiful Adelaide Hills, where she lives with her family. Ali is delighted to be part of the Westminster community and looks forward to being involved in school events and getting to know everyone.

We also welcome Ms Stuchberry

Kristy Stuchbery has joined us to lead Ms Mugford’s Year 2 class while she enjoys long service leave this term. Kristy has been a teacher for 18 years now and has taught in both the Early Years and Primary Years in London, Hong Kong and Australia. With her family, she spent 11 wonderful years in Hong Kong where her children, Reeve (7) and Cova (5) were born. They settled back in Australia three years ago allowing them to re-connect with extended family in Adelaide. Kristy has worked across Adelaide in several different Early Learning Centres, Kindergartens and Schools, constantly expanding and increasing her knowledge and skills in the Early Years. In 2020 she completed studies in kids yoga and mindfulness as she has a keen interest in this area and looks forward to sharing this with the Year 2 children. Kristy is a very welcome addition to our team.

And in the front office…

Mrs Campbell is also enjoying some Long Service Leave this term. Kate Harrison-Duncan has taken on Joy’s role, and we have welcomed Mrs Patricia Waller to our staff. Patricia is married with two school-aged children. She has recently relocated back to Adelaide having spent the last five years working for the Australian International School in Singapore. There she undertook various roles in Enrolment, Marketing, as a Teachers’ Assistant and most recently (past 2 years) as an EA to the Head of the Secondary School.

Building work

Visitors to the Prep School so far this term would have noticed some temporary fencing encasing what was the Year 5 classrooms. These rooms are being refurbished throughout this term and if there are delays then we anticipate the Year 5’s enjoying the new spaces for the second half of the year.

To facilitate the Year 5 classes relocating for this Term, we have asked STRETCH activities to find alternate spaces, Chinese has a temporary home in the Junior Primary and Japanese classes are now happening in each Year 4, 5 and 6 classroom.

In addition to these adjustments, Prep School Art classes are now taking place in the more spacious room that did house Senior School Art, and our Robotics and coding lessons are being held in the room that previously housed Prep Art. A small change, but this change has allowed us to create larger more suitable spaces for both of these activities.

Home Match Sport Catering

This Saturday for the first time we will be trialling food and beverage service from the first floor of our Thomas Pavilion. Hot food, bar snacks, sweet treats and beverages will be available from 8.00 am. A selection of beer, wine and spirits will be available from half-time of the 1st XVIII trial football match (approximately 3.15 pm), with catering services remaining available until 5.30 pm (last drinks at 5.00 pm).

Please note that this is a cash-less service – EFTPOS facilities will be available. Depending on feedback from the trial this weekend, we are hopeful that we will be able to continue providing this service throughout the year at our main sporting home matches.

Uniform Reminder

As the cooler weather starts to take hold, it is a timely reminder to begin to check that the students have what they need to come to school in their Winter Uniform. The Winter Uniform includes the blazer, and it must be worn to and from school on any day that the student does not have a timetabled PE lesson. The Winter Uniform can be worn at any time of the year but is compulsory commencing Monday 10 May.

Westminster Uniform Shop

Westminster has its own Westminster Shop. The Westminster Shop is located at 27 Alison Avenue. You can contact the Westminster Shop on T: 8276 0260 or E: uniform@westminster.sa.edu.au

Opening Hours

Monday ​- 8.15 am to ​​4.30 pm
​Tuesday - ​1.00 to ​​4.30 pm
Wednesday - Closed
​Thursday - ​8.15 am to ​​4.30 pm
​Friday - ​1.00 to ​4.30 pm

60^th Anniversary Whole School Photo

Every five years since the early ‘90s, we have had a ‘whole School photo’ taken to capture our entire student and staff cohort as a moment in time in the life of the School. Many students, families, staff and Old Scholars, who have previously been involved, will remember that it is a massive logistical exercise to organise. However, we feel that the effort is worth it. With this year marking the School’s 60^th Anniversary, we are keen to take full advantage of it being the most appropriate time in the five-year cycle.

An email will be sent to all parents and caregivers to outline full details but here are some key pieces of information to share in the lead-up to our day:

• The scheduled day is Monday 24 May and it happens mainly in the morning – Tuesday 25 May is held in reserve if Monday’s weather is extreme and creates any concerns around safety.
• All students from Early Learning to Year 12 take part.
• Students from Reception to Year 12 are asked to wear formal School (winter) uniform for that day, meaning that Junior Primary students, normally in PE gear, will have their PE lessons structured so that it will not be necessary for them to change.
• ELC students come to School as usual in their ELC uniform.
• The photo is taken in sections and stitched together in production, meaning that we stagger the shoot to suit year levels.
• The end result is a large laminated poster that has every student and staff member in the photo captioned. Students and staff unable to attend on the day due to illness will be marked as absent in the caption.
• This year, being our 60^th Anniversary Photo, the large format photo can be purchased as an earlybird special for a subsidised $49.50 each, delivered in the following weeks to the School for distribution. You will be sent an email with a link to a trybooking site to allow you to purchase at this earlybird price. If you have more than one child at Westminster you can order multiple copies as required. Beyond the earlybird date, the photo will revert to the normal price of $69.50. There will also be an option to have it mounted onto a board. All of these details will be outlined in the forthcoming email.

So, at this stage, please mark in your dairies that Monday 24 May is the day when we ask that your son or daughter come dressed ‘photo ready’ in their full School uniform.

It is a memorable event and the result is always impressive. This year, as we celebrate 60 Years of Westminster, it will make a great anniversary souvenir for your child’s or children’s time at the School.

Diary Dates

• Winter Sport commences - Friday 29 April
  
• Parents' Club Mother’s Day Luncheon - Friday 7 May
• NAPLAN online commences - Monday 10 May
• All students should be in Winter Uniform - Monday 10 May
• Resilience Project - Connected Parenting Workshop - Monday 17 May, 6.30 to 8.00 pm
• Carter Wing and Inquiry and Innovation Hub Opening - Tuesday 18 May
• Whole School Photograph - Monday 24 May
• Transition class visit day - Thursday 27 May
• Whole School Open Day - Friday 28 May
• Dance All Sorts Concert - Thursday 3 June, 7.30 pm
• Year 7 2022 Parent session - Tuesday 8 June
• Queen's Birthday Public Holiday - Monday 14 June
• Sing, Sing, Sing Concert - Wednesday 16 June
• ELC Graduation - Friday 18 June
• Battle of the Rock Bands - Wednesday 23 June, 6.00 pm
• End of Term 2 - 1.00 pm dismissal, Friday 25 June
• Term 3 Commences - Tuesday 20 July

Grant Bock
Head of Preparatory School