COMMUNITY
The Learning Journey at TSS Prep
I
n the words of Dr Seuss, “Children want the same things we want. To laugh, to be challenged, to be entertained and delighted”, and in offering so many varied opportunities to our boys at TSS Prep, their learning journey engages and embraces at every step. Our annual Poetry Recitation Competition this year saw all boys from Reception to Year 6 learn and present a poem of choice. Now in its fourth year, it is amazing how far the boys have come in their ability to express the written word with such vigour and passion. From Paterson to Dahl, serious to humorous, the boys proudly capture their audience’s attention with expression and gesture, entertaining the crowd and growing in self-belief and confidence along the way. It is heartening to see how they embrace this opportunity and how this event has become such an integral part of our school’s culture. In a similar vein, our annual Public Speaking competition once again showcased the strength of our Years 3 to 6 boys in their ability to present a prepared speech to their class and, for the finalists, to their cohort. Learning the art of public speaking is a valuable tool for life and such occasions help in developing skills for the future and young men of confidence.
Star Lab brought together Year 3 students from both TSS Prep and St Hilda’s, where they immersed themselves in a night of star gazing and learning about our planets and the Solar System. Students entered a Sky Lab dome where the planets and stars came ‘alive’ for them to view and learn in a way that was far beyond the classroom. Telescopes allowed students to gaze at the night sky and art sessions gave another opportunity for students
68
Band of Brothers
Ms Kerrie Aquilina Preparatory School Director of Learning and Teaching
to consider the world beyond Earth. This collaborative night has become an important event in our School calendar, where we can work in partnership with St Hilda’s, sharing the learning journey together. From a ‘Surfing Scientist’ to a visit by Uncle Boomerang, authors’ workshops to Multicultural Days and Science Fairs, our boys engage in a myriad of activities that challenge their thinking, entertain, and ignite a passion for learning.
Around here, we don’t look backwards for very long, we keep moving forwards, opening up new doors and do new things because we’re curious... and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths. Walt Disney
