Head of Preparatory School - Edition 7 - 2019

On a far less exciting note, we are having to farewell Mrs Valeska Laity. While she is on long service leave at the moment, Mrs Laity has written to advise that she won’t be returning. She has been offered a role at Cabra Dominican College which allows her to return to teaching Music, an area of teaching that is very important to her, as when she first came to Westminster she arrived as a music teacher. She is a Cabra Old Scholar and is looking forward to returning. While we will miss Mrs Laity, I am sure that the entire School community join me in wishing her well and thanking her for her contribution to Westminster in a range of roles over the past eight years. Fortunately for the students in Mrs Laity’s class this year, Ms Morisset has kindly agreed to continue the fine work she is doing with the class for the remainder of this year.

Time for transition

Following the announcement that as of 2020 our Year 7 students will be part of the Senior School, I am pleased to announce that Preparatory School Wellbeing and RAVE Specialist, Jane Edwards has accepted the position of Head of Year 7. Jane will commence her tenure in this role at the beginning of 2020, and will be a familiar face for our current Year 6 students as they go through this transition process.

Learning Leader

Congratulations to Diya Patel (Year 6 Wesley) who has been added to our group of School Leaders. Diya sets a fantastic example both in and out of the classroom and her leadership role will centre around the various learning initiatives that occur both in and out of the classroom.

Footy Feedback

As our winter season takes hold I was delighted to receive the following unsolicited feedback about our Year 2/3 football team from the opposition coach, Mr Rod Campbell:

I just wanted to make you aware of the great game day experience we had as OLOG School playing against your Westminster Year 2/3 team. The spirit of sportsmanship that the game was played in and the respect for the umpire and opposing teams was excellent. I congratulate the School, coach Luke Burns and the players for the high standard in which they conducted themselves.

This standard was set during the game and after the game, when both sides high-fived each other in an appropriate and respectful manner.

Anyone for Skiing?

Last year a number of Westminster families headed to the snow in the mid-year break, and some students got together and competed at a fun competition on the slopes. The SASKI week at Falls Creek runs again this year during the last week of the July school holidays, Sunday 14 to Friday 19 July. Last year 52 schools were represented. It is a fun week, open to all school-age students, and no previous snow experience is necessary. Students generally have several days of ski lessons or training prior to race day. Students can race as individuals or part of a team in their own year level (snowboarding teams are made up of two to three people, skiing teams are made up of three to four people). Details are yet to be finalised as the ownership of Falls Creek changed last year. Please note as this is not a school trip, families will need to make their own travel and accommodation plans. Highlights include:

• Half price resort gate entry;
• Fabulous souvenir item (maybe cap or t-shirt);
• Awesome VIP specials, on the mountain for entrants;
• Super cheap night skiing;
• Special SA Interschools merchandise available for purchase (get the SA Interschools hoodie look - order in advance);
• Suitably qualifying racers will get to compete at the National Interschools in Mt Buller (Wednesday 4 to Sunday 8 September 2019).

More details can be found at SAInterschools.com.au

This is where Roland works and he is always onsite. We chatted for a long time like old book friends and the kettle was almost put on for me before, once again my other duties called, but not before I made some purchases and Roland kindly signed them for me.

As if that wasn’t enough of an author groupie highlight, my next stop some 100m down the road was to step into the wonderful world of award winning author illustrator Alison Lester. Her gallery/shop is truly a lolly shop for teachers, teacher librarians, parents, grandparents, children and so the list goes on. Sadly, Alison wasn’t there last weekend, but the extremely friendly and helpful John humoured me when I said, “oh my goodness, I feel like a kid in a lolly shop”. I did spend some time in there with my family, but the best time was when it was just me and John sharing our appreciation of Alison’s stories.

Please, if you are ever anywhere near Fish Creek, call in to these truly amazing places. Take your children, grandchildren, forever suffering spouse, or just yourself. Oh and of course, your credit card. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

If you would like more information about any Roland Harvey or Alison Lester books please call in to see me or visit their websites; http://rolandharvey.com.au/ and https://alisonlester.com/

Julia Baldwin
Teacher Librarian

Code Camp

These Winter holidays Code Camp are returning to Westminster to teach your child to code, or to help them continue on their coding adventure!

Code Camp has already taught more than 50,000 students in Australia and is a great way to spend time over the holidays as kids have lots of fun with friends while learning important new skills, including logic, creativity, problem-solving, app development and game building. It is fun and engaging, and gets them prepared to take on the digital world of the future.

From Monday 15 to Wednesday 17 July Westminster will be hosting Spark, 2D Game Makers and Web Hackers.

Book now to take advantage of the $20 Early Bird discount (automatically applied at checkout when booking before Monday 27 May)! Bookings can be made via www.codecamp.com.au/westminster

Diary Dates

• Winter Uniform compulsory from Monday 20 May
• ELC Excursion to BEEP – Thursday 30 May
• Pirate themed Casuals Day for Childhood Cancer – Friday 31 May
• First visit day for Transition classes – Thursday 6 June
• Metropolitan SAPSASA Cross Country - Thursday 6 June
• Queen’s Birthday Public holiday – Monday 10 June
• Kristin College (NZ) Sporting/Cultural Exchange for Year 6 – Monday 17 to Thursday 20 June
• Reception Parent Workshop & Expo – Wednesday 19 June
• Sing Sing Sing Concert – Wednesday 19 June
• Sports themed Casuals Day – Thursday 20 June
• Year 1 Parent Expo – Friday 21 June
• Year 2 Parent Expo – Wednesday 26 June
• Code Camp – Monday 15 to Wednesday 17 July
• Term 3 commences - Tuesday 23 July

Grant Bock
Head of Preparatory School