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Prep Newsletter - 1 - Issue No. 16 – 24th
October, 2014
THE KING’S SCHOOL PREPARATORY SCHOOL
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Issue No.16 – 24th October, 2014
Headmaster’s
Distinctions
Term 4
Weeks 2 & 3
Kindergarten
ATAI, Kyriakos
BALL, Alexander
CALABRO, James
KURIAN, Neil
LAM, Jamie
LUSTED, River
NASHED, Aaron
WANG, Ethan
Year 1
BALL, Sebastian
LASO, Charlie
MITCHELL,Tyler x 2
NASSIF, Michael
REED, Mercer
SELIG, Edward
WU, Oliver
Year 2
NOHRA, Milad
Year 3
NETTO, Jordan x 2
Year 4 BRIGSTOCKE, Henry x 2
DISSANAYAKE, Charan x 2
Year 5 CHISHOLM, Cameron x 4
Year 6
HAN, Joshua x 2
MEAD, James
Prep News
24th October, 2014
Family Entertainment Under the Stars
What a setting to watch a movie with the family! The inaugural Family Outdoor Cinema
Evening at the Prep School held last Saturday was a terrific event. Over 330 people joined
together on the fields of Price 5 to watch the sun set over the dam, and enjoy conversation
with friends over picnic hampers and barbequed dinners. Sponsored by the Fathers’
Association, this family friendly occasion was a lovely, relaxed way to bring the Prep
School community together for a final end of year event.
We pass on our thanks to the FA Committee who organised this opportunity for the Prep
families and to our wonderful Year 3 dads who looked after the canteen requests
throughout the evening. Judging from the feedback I have fielded so far, we will look to
host another Outdoor Cinema Night again in 2015.
Music Performance Opportunities
There has been a smorgasbord of music concerts held over the past two weeks that have
allowed the boys to gain experience performing in front of large audiences. Last week, the
Prep School Band joined with local school bands from Tara Anglican School for Girls and
Burnside Public School for a combined concert in Futter Hall. Working independently
over the number of weeks in preparation, the bands joined together during the day of the
concert to practice for the evening performances. It was a wonderful opportunity for the
boys to interact with students from neighbouring schools and to gain benefit from
participating within a large scale band.
This week, the Chamber Choir joined with the choirs from Abbotsleigh and Arden
Anglican School to participate in the annual Royal School of Church Music Festival. The
Festival took the form of a service within the Abbotsleigh Chapel and the choirs
performed together singing a wonderful selection of anthems and hymns. The Royal
School of Church Music is a world-wide network of over 8,000 churches, schools and
individuals who are committed to achieving the best use of good music in worship. For
those who were present in the Chapel on Tuesday evening, they were certainly treated to a
special service filled with beautiful and inspiring worship music. Congratulations to the
Chamber Choir boys for their superb participation in this event.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: “You really can change the world if you care enough”.
Marion Wright Edelman
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Prep Newsletter - 2 - Issue No. 16 – 24th
October, 2014
On Wednesday evening, the audience in Horrocks Hall were dazzled by the brilliance of Year 6 student, Joshua Han, who
introduced and performed a range of intricate piano pieces as part of his Year 6 Enterprise Programme. Demonstrating
what seemed more like a gymnastic routine across the keys, Joshua played from memory a number of complex pieces that
one might hear on the stages of the Sydney Opera House or Covent Garden. Joshua recently won a world piano competition
in Austria, achieving the highest recorded score in the history of the competition and becoming the first Australian to win
this prestigious international piano competition. The performance on Wednesday evening will remain in the memories of
those who attended for many years to come.
Showcase Assembly 2014
On Tuesday afternoon 28 October at 1:45pm we will be holding the Prep School 2104 Showcase Assembly in Horrocks
Hall. This event provides an opportunity to hear addresses from our K-6 winners in the Poetry Recitation and Public
Speaking Competitions, held throughout the year. Parents are welcome to attend this special assembly.
Let There Be Light!
No longer will parents need to stumble over to The Cedars at night for any evening School functions. Thanks to the
generosity of the parents of Year 6, some garden lighting has been installed as part of a farewell gift to the Prep School.
Light now sprays across the gravel pathway, lighting the way down the drive towards The Cedars, and highlighting some of
the beautiful trees in this region of the property. I do pass on my deep gratitude to the Year 6 parents for their generosity
and to Mark Harvey, for co-ordinating this very thoughtful and practical gift for the School.
Peter Allison
Head of the Preparatory School
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Prep Newsletter - 3 - Issue No. 16 – 24th
October, 2014
Co-curricular Photos
Co-curricular and Sports photos will be taken on Tuesday, 4 November. This will include all summer and winter sports
teams, Snowsports, Cross Country. Athletics and Swimming teams, IPSHA, CIS and NSW Representatives, Debating,
TOM, Chess, Book in a Day and some music group photos. Boys will need to come to School in their normal school
uniform. They will also need to bring both their winter and summer sports uniforms, including boots for Rugby and
Football. As all non-sport co-curricular photos are taken in the Number One uniform, boys in those photos will also
need to bring their white shirt.
Attached to this newsletter is a copy of the order form for these photos as well as the House, Sons and Grandsons of Old
Boys and School Captains photos, which were taken earlier in the year. The order form must be returned on the day
of the photos (Tuesday 4th
November). Spare copies of the form can be collected from the Prep Office.
Royal School of Church Music Festival at Abbotsleigh
Our Chamber Choir who participated in the Royal School of Church Music Festival at Abbotsleigh on Tuesday
evening. This was a special Chapel service that featured the choirs form the participating schools. Our boys joined with
students from Arden and Abbotsleigh and sang beautifully to a most appreciative congregation.
Concert by Joshua Han (Year 6)
Joshua performed a 45-minute concert on Wednesday evening to an intimate audience of approximately 60-70 people.
The pieces he played were varied and required considerable skill. The concert was Joshua’s Enterprise project and
raised $234.00 for the Cancer Council.
I have been teaching for almost thirty years and I have never witnessed a student with this much talent at such an early
age. I know one day in the future when Joshua is a world renowned pianist, I will be saying, “I saw Joshua perform at a
concert at The King’s School Preparatory School”.
Upcoming Events
Week 4
Sunday, 26 October 2014 Buzz Week
Monday, 27 October 2014
Tuesday, 28 October 2014 Showcase Assembly (1:40 pm)
Wednesday, 29 October 2014
Thursday, 30 October 2014 Kindergarten Excursion - Riverside Theatre - Pete the Sheep (9:30 am -
12:00 pm)
String Concert - Horrocks Hall (6:00 pm)
Friday, 31 October 2014 Trinity Invitational Swimming Carnival
Years 1-6 2015 Orientation Day (9:30 am)
TKS Cricket Dinner and 1st XI Cricket Cap Presentation Night
Saturday, 1 November 2014 Summer Sport Round 10
Gowan Brae Garden Party - Horrocks Hall and Gowan Brae (7:00 pm)
Week 5
Sunday, 2 November 2014
Monday, 3 November 2014 Year 2 String Concert - Horrocks Hall (1:50 - 3:00 pm)
Tuesday, 4 November 2014 Sport, Co-curricular and Staff Photos
Wednesday, 5 November 2014 Year 3 Parent Information Afternoon (3:15 – 4:00 pm)
Thursday, 6 November 2014 Kindergarten 2015 Orientation (9:30 am)
Friday, 7 November 2014 IPSHA Debate against TARA (Time TBC)
Symphonic Concert Band playing for all Years 3-6 - Futter Hall (10:00-
11:40 am)
TKS Women's Dinner (5:30 pm)
Saturday, 8 November 2014 Summer Sport Round 11
DEPUTY HEAD
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Prep Newsletter - 4 - Issue No. 16 – 24th
October, 2014
OUR SCHOOL VALUES
King's is in high demand because it offers academic excellence with character development. Crown Princes, leaders of
political parties, authors, actors, leaders in law, medicine, and in a wide range of other professions, have all been
educated at King's. It is a school committed to the development of good character and those values that are consistent
with a caring, Christian community.
The articulation of the values we promote will be seen in the daily teaching and learning experiences, by the way we
engage with each other, the special events on the yearly calendar, and through our expression of who we are as a school
community.
The Wellbeing panel at Prep has an abridged articulation of our values, designed for our K-6 boys (in red). I invite you
to read these through and discuss them with your sons. The goal of raising a child who is value rich and socially and
emotionally intelligent is a priority for families.
Respect
Respect involves valuing people and property so that neither is dishonoured. It requires a person to develop pro-social
skills, to be tolerant and able to accept individual differences. An obligation is given to abhor harassment or prejudice in
any form. There is a requirement to respect oneself and to adopt a lifestyle that promotes wellbeing. Students at The
King's School will be required to respect the right of teachers to teach and students to learn, within a caring and
supportive environment.
WE VALUE SCHOOLMATES
WE VALUE TEACHERS
WE VALUE OURSELVES
Responsibility
Responsibility requires the acceptance of accountability and the developing of the skills associated with being a good
team player as well as an effective leader. The concept embraces the virtues of being trustworthy, pro-active and of
having the courage and initiative necessary to change those things which should be changed.
WE ARE TEAM PLAYERS
WE ARE BRAVE
WE ARE TRUSTWORTHY
Integrity
Integrity encompasses propriety, honesty and a commitment to upholding that which is right. It includes the obligation
to act fairly and to exercise proper governance. It requires The King's School to be responsible in the management of all
its assets. This means that the School will seek to be just in all its dealings.
WE ARE HONEST
WE ARE FAIR
WE HONOUR OUR SCHOOL
Excellence
Excellence suggests a school of distinction which offers a high-value education. It hints at quality and suggests a school
committed to enduring worth. A commitment to excellence also suggests a premium educational program, a first-rate
educational environment and a system of management which is exemplary.
WE SET OURSELVES HIGH STANDARDS
WE ARE COMMITTED TO ACHIEVING OUR BEST
WE EXPLORE MANY DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES
DIRECTOR OF STUDENTS
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Prep Newsletter - 5 - Issue No. 16 – 24th
October, 2014
Sustainability
Sustainability in people means long-term endurance, and physical and emotional resilience. Sustainability of resources
means responsible management, care of the environment and a system of operation that is designed to enhance the
future wellbeing of the planet.
WE CARE FOR GOD’S WORLD
WE CARE FOR THE PROPERTY OF THE KING’S SCHOOL
WE CARE FOR OUR LEARNING SPACES
Balance
Balance requires the School to offer a holistic program of instruction which nurtures a student:
ACADEMICALLY AND INTELLECTUALLY
SOCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY
PHYSICALLY
SPIRITUALLY
Balance should also be reflected in the School's management and governance where there should be an appropriate mix
of skills.
WE WORK HARD AND PLAY WELL
WE EXERCISE REGULARLY AND EAT HEALTHY FOOD
WE FIND TIME TO REFLECT
Belinda Baxter
Director of Students
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Prep Newsletter - 6 - Issue No. 16 – 24th
October, 2014
Classroom Practice
The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) provides national leadership for the Australian,
State and Territory Governments in promoting excellence in the profession of teaching and school leadership. AITSL
has provided The Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, which is comprised of seven standards that outline
what teachers should know and be able to do. The standards are interconnected, interdependent and overlapping.
These seven standards are grouped into three domains of teaching:
1. Professional Knowledge
2. Professional Practice
3. Professional Engagement
Domains of teaching Standards
Professional Knowledge 1. Know students and how they learn
2. Know the content and how to teach it
Professional Practice 3. Plan for and implement effective teaching and learning
4. Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments
5. Assess, provide feedback and report on student learning
Professional Engagement 6. Engage in professional learning
7. Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/ carers and the
community
Within each standard, focus areas provide further illustration of teaching knowledge, practice and professional
engagement. In practice, teaching draws on aspects of all three domains.
How are we improving teaching practice at the Prep?
Every day our teachers assess their students. Using their content knowledge and understanding of the boys in their care,
they assess what the students know and what they still need to learn.
But do teachers know this about themselves? Do they
recognise their own learning journey? Do they know
what it looks like to improve their classroom practice
so they are continually building greater expertise?
To assist teachers, AITSL has developed the
Classroom Practice Continuum. This continuum
brings the Australian Professional Standards for
Teachers to life. By demonstrating progression along
the continuum, teachers can clearly see what it looks
like to improve their own classroom practice and, in
turn, improve student learning, student engagement
and student wellbeing.
http://www.aitsl.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-
library/classrooom_practice_continuum.pdf?sfvrsn=20
DIRECTOR OF LEARNING/PYP COORDINATOR
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Prep Newsletter - 7 - Issue No. 16 – 24th
October, 2014
At the Prep, along with the resources from AITSL, we recognised the need for a professional review cycle. Our process
looks something like this:
Teachers assume responsibility for their goal setting and for monitoring, tracking and reviewing those goals. The role of
the Pedagogical Coach at each stage is that of support and mentoring during this process. Teachers are asked to use the
SMART acronym to guide them in the design of a professional learning goal.
S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Achievable or Attainable
R = Relevant
T = Time-bound
Specific
The learning target must be specific rather than general
Measurable
It must be possible to know whether the learning target has been accomplished, so there needs to be some way of
measuring this.
Achievable
The achievement of the learning target must be something the teacher is capable of attaining. Where the prospect of
achievement seems daunting, the learning target can be broken down into a series of steps so that the teacher has the
prospect of experiencing success. The setting of unachievable learning targets will inevitably lead to lack of motivation
and low self-esteem.
Relevant
The learning target needs to be significant and relevant to the teacher’s learning. If teachers are left to set learning
targets without any guidance, at least initially there is a danger that such targets will be less relevant than if they are set
in the context of understanding 'What I know or can do now/ what I still need to know or be able to do/ how I can go
about making that improvement'.
Time-bound
Teachers should specify when they aim to achieve the target. Time-bound learning targets are easier to evaluate and
track than those which have no particular time period attached to their achievement.
http://www.aitsl.edu.au/media-newsroom/multimedia-centre/australian-professional-standards-for-teachers http://www.assessmentforlearning.edu.au/professional_learning/student_self-assessment/student_strategies_enhance.html
Rachel Johnston
Director of Learning/PYP Coordinator
“THE TRAGEDY IN LIFE DOESN’T LIE IN NOT REACHING YOUR GOAL.
THE TRAGEDY LIES IN HAVING NO GOAL TO REACH.”
Benjamin E. Mays
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Prep Newsletter - 8 - Issue No. 16 – 24th
October, 2014
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Prep Newsletter - 9 - Issue No. 16 – 24th
October, 2014
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Prep Newsletter - 10 - Issue No. 16 – 24th
October, 2014
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Prep Newsletter - 11 - Issue No. 16 – 24th
October, 2014
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Prep Newsletter - 12 - Issue No. 16 – 24th
October, 2014
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Prep Newsletter - 13 - Issue No. 16 – 24th
October, 2014
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Prep Newsletter - 14 - Issue No. 16 – 24th
October, 2014
