Head of Preparatory

success stories – boys who have had some difficulty in some areas of the curriculum and have demonstrated persistence and determination with their studies to improve. A very successful outcome indeed.

This year saw the Preparatory School boys in Years 5 and 6 joining the GPS sporting program for the first time. While everyone knew that the first year of the program would throw up some challenges along the way, for the most part the peculiarities of the new structure were anticipated and wellplanned for by our Director of Sport, Mr Bryan Hain, and our Sports Master, Mr Alex Kelley. The Swimming, Cross-Country and Athletics carnivals were well-run events and the boys enjoyed the more professional setting in which they competed. The change of seasons for some sports permitted boys to try a few more sports than perhaps they had enjoyed before as well. The week-to-week sporting fixtures proceeded smoothly and the few issues that did arise have been reflected on and improved so that the 2016 GPS program will be conducted even more successfully. The program of sport across the whole school is a real feature of TSS and the boys are very lucky to have so many options and opportunities to engage in healthy activity with their classmates. A very special thank you is extended to Mrs Marisa Schroder and Mr Alex Kelley for their work in coordinating and leading across so many sports and activities. It is always a real highlight of the year to witness our younger students proudly pulling on the TSS colours or competing under their House banner, as their participation provides many positive outcomes both physically and emotionally and contributes much to their overall experience of life at the School. Similarly so to does their involvement in the Music program, in which our boys have the opportunity to explore their creative and expressive selves. With a vast range of musical activities, ensembles and chorales that supplement the class music lessons and instrumental program, the boys can reap the benefits that involvement in music bestows. Again I thank Mrs Marisa Schroder for her tireless efforts in ensuring the successful organisation of the program and to Music Master Mrs Trisha Matthias for her leadership and advocacy. I think the highlight of the Music program for me this year was the House Music Competition in which every boy (Years 3-6) joined with their Housemates to sing in the House Choir. The quality of the singing was sensational and many of the adults present, both teachers and parents, were moved to tears by the boys’ efforts. It was an outstanding example of the capability of a boys’ school to engage all boys in the arts, and as one mum put it ‘is worth the year’s school fees alone!’

In fact, I have delighted in witnessing the boys’ incredible work across all areas of school life. The quality of their visual arts, extremely high standard of their mathematics, quality of writing and spelling, reading levels, history and geography knowledge and IT skills – all impress me regularly, and for most boys an ongoing commitment to improve has really paid dividends. Congratulations to our Friends of Prep Committee. This year $50,000 has been raised to support the Preparatory School and the many projects they have undertaken to enhance our campus have been very much appreciated. Special thanks to President Mrs Vanessa Behan, Secretary Mrs Justine Cirocco and Treasurer Mrs Karen Parsons. Along with the many incredibly giving committee members, their work has been inspiring and all boys and their families have benefitted from their dedication.

I give my thanks to the whole TSS Preparatory Community. The support of our parents has been terrific and I know the teachers greatly value the positive relationships that exist. For our parents’ endorsement of our School – evidenced by the excellent results of the parent survey that was conducted this year – I give my thanks. The information gathered through this medium has helped us determine which aspects of our school are meeting parents’ needs and expectations and in which areas we can continue to improve. To the staff, I owe my appreciation for their ongoing and dedicated commitment to the boys of the School. We ask a lot of TSS teachers and our Prep staff impress me with their student-focused approach. I look forward to working with this great team to further improve our School throughout 2015. Finally, I give thanks and congratulations to the boys. There are too many individual instances to mention in a report of this length, but more than the boys’ efforts in academics, sport or cultural pursuits, I find the daily positivity and enthusiasm that they display, the determination and perseverance that they demonstrate and the goodness and kindness of their souls to be what makes this school such a successful place. I wish everyone a very happy and holy Christmas period.