Fun and engaging lunchtime clubs

An exciting programme of lunchtime clubs is being run in the Middle Syndicate by the Preparatory School Pastoral team, to provide Years 4–8 students with lots of fun ways to engage their minds and bodies when the weather isn’t always conducive to being on the playground.

The Minecraft Club on Friday lunchtimes is by far the most popular, with 36 Year 4–5 students in one group, and Year 6 students joining Year 7–8 students in a similar sized group. Other options include Book Club, Games Club, Chess Club, and Dance Club.

Parents complete an online form to enrol their children in the clubs, which are overseen by a teacher, with support from senior students and Preparatory School student leaders.

Head of Middle Syndicate, Megan Feller, says the programme has many benefits. “The lunchtime clubs help to build cross year-level connections, and we love to see the fluid and organic conversations the students have while enjoying their activities. From a pastoral perspective, it is an informal way for staff to catch up with students or meet new students. Another spin-off is that the clubs can take a significant number of children out of the playground area, which can become congested in the winter months when the field can be closed.” The Minecraft Club provides a safe and happy environment for students to create and build. They use laptops with Minecraft Education Edition already installed and ready for them.

Like-minded students who love books, libraries, and bookshops, and who enjoy discussing and recommending books, meet at Book Club on Tuesdays in the Preparatory School Library. The club involves, of course, lots of reading, and some at-home reading too.

During Wednesday lunchtimes, it's Games Club, when students gather in the Learning Hallway to play board games or card games with their friends.

Two clubs are held on Thursdays. A large number of students are involved in Chess Club, which gives them the opportunity to play with other keen chess players from right across the Preparatory School. They can even engage in some online coaching sessions or get help from Secondary School chess players. Dance Club, facilitated by 24/7 Youth Worker, Katrina Setacci, is another popular club, with students learning choreography and making up their own moves in a range of styles, including hip hop.

Megan says some students have even taken the initiative of running their own small clubs. “We’ve had things like Pop It clubs and friendship bracelet making. It’s great to see the students take our initiative and come up with their own ideas and rules for their clubs.”

Top: Tayla McFadyen and Daya Bromhead (both Year 4) playing chess. Bottom-left: Hugo Nguyen, Casey Gamble, and Emma Theobald (all Year 5) during a Minecraft session. Bottom-right: Lucy Pugh, Danica Minson, and Kalisa Zhang (all Year 7) practise their dance moves