|
|
|
|
|
Last Tuesday morning, the boys and staff at St Ives thanked Dr Vallance for his 18 years of service as Headmaster at Sydney Grammar School. Traditionally, whenever Dr Vallance comes to visit St Ives, he has the opportunity to play harpsichord with a group of boys and his Farewell Assembly proved no exception. The ensemble played 3 movements from a Vivaldi Concerto for 4 Violins and Continuo.
|
|
Dr Vallance was also presented with a painting by Art Master, Andrew Cranna, depicting the Headmaster riding his beloved red tractor on Cowper Field. To conclude the Assembly, Mrs Fane conducted a choral item comprising all boys from Year 3 to Year 6 as a token of our appreciation for Dr Vallance’s leadership, vision and friendship. The Farewell Concert will be held in The New Hall at College Street on Thursday 30 March and the School Choir and RJ Lee Singers will be part of the performance.
Mr I Stephens
|
|
|
Sport Cancellations for Tomorrow
- All the fixtures for Tennis, Cricket, T-Ball, and Softball have been cancelled due to field and court closures because of the wet weather.
- Boys playing Basketball at St Ives on the covered court are strongly encouraged to check the Wet Weather Line (9990 8472) in the morning, as the court has flooded this week.
|
|
- After School training for boys in Years 3-6, Ball and Boy and Bat and Ball sessions will finish today, and there will be no more after school training or sessions for the remainder of this term. Please read Mr Derrin's section.
- Boys in Preschool to Year 2 will commence their swimming programme next week. Please read Mr TJ's section.
- There are various changes to music ensemble rehearsals due to the upcoming Camps for Years 4 and 6 next week. Please read Mr Smith's section.
- Important information about Chess for next week. Please read this section.
|
|
From the Senior Master
Parking signs on Ayres Road
Parents should be aware that the Council have made some changes to parking signs along Ayres Road.
|
|
Year 4 and 6 Camps
Any medications coming in for the Year 4 and 6 camp should be in a clear cliplock bag. The bag should have the full name of your son, name of medication, the dosage and time of dosage - all clearly labelled.
On Monday morning ALL medication must be handed into Mrs Greenup. She will be in Mr Slade’s Year 6 classroom.
Mr D Fraser
|
|
From the Director of Pastoral Care
|
|
KidsMatter
In a positive school community, every face has a place, every voice is valued, and everyone has something to contribute.
|
|
|
KidsMatter
Evidence of a positive school community is one in which people are connected with each other, all people’s needs are met, and they are involved in meaningful ways. Research confirms that a positive school community promotes children’s mental health and wellbeing. Children who are mentally healthy will be able to enjoy and benefit from family life, relationships and educational opportunities, as well as to contribute to society in age-appropriate ways. They will also be in a better position to adapt to change and cope with life’s stressors. Mentally healthy students arrive at school ready to learn and are more likely to achieve success. (Reference: KidsMatter (2012). Positive School Community p. 4)
Please click here for a KidsMatter information sheet titled ‘What makes a positive school community’.
K-2 Friendship Groups
During our Pastoral Care lesson this week, the K-2 boys met with their Friendship Group. Our younger boys spent time interacting happily with each other whilst engaging in a variety of enjoyable activities.
|
|
Years 3-6 House Meetings
Also during our Pastoral Care lesson this week, the 3-6 boys met in their Houses – Cowper, Dent, Francis and Healey – for their second House Meeting of the year.
During this meeting, the boys had the opportunity to prepare for the Cross-country Carnival and to socialise informally and happily with their friends from other classes and grades.
|
|
|
Social Skill of the Week
Week 8 – Lending a Helping Hand
Ms L Dorn
|
|
From the Director of Studies
|
|
School Camps = Fun and Fabulousness!
I can’t believe we’re about to hit Week 8! Hasn’t this term flown by?
Week 8 brings with it much excitement with Year 4 and 6 heading off to camp; with Year 5 going the following week. There is a real buzz among teachers who are camp bound as they are such a fun few days. It is so wonderful to see the boys outside their normal classroom environment and have time to have long chats and get to know them better.
Here are some thoughts for boys (and their parents) to get the most out of camp:
- Be excited! Camp is huge fun so be happy and enthusiastic in the lead up for your son. There will be things that might be outside his comfort zone but let him know that we never dragoon anyone into anything they don’t want to do (with the exception of cleaning up after meals and keeping their cabin neat).
- Talk to your son about their hopes for camp and if there is anything that they are a bit unsure of. Be calm, dispel any unnecessary panics and talk through potential worries. Feed this information back to your Form Master if it is something that they should know.
- Practice ‘independence’ skills at home. Can your son pack/unpack their bag? Keep track of their clothes? Clean or stack dishes up after a meal?
- Prepare together. Have a look at the camp lists. Pack their bag together – that helps both of you; you know they have everything they need and they know where everything is in their bag. Don’t forget plastic bags to keep wet things separately.
- Talk to your son about friendships. A camp is a great opportunity to mix with other boys apart from their 'besties'. What a wonderful time to get to know someone in the year better! It’s also a known phenomenon about Day Three, when the boys are all tired, that grumpiness can lead to friendship spats. A chat to your son about the effects of tiredness on people’s sense of humour and tolerance levels can be a proactive move.
- Parents – one more bit of advice for you… enjoy your time without your son, maybe a date night is in order?
Scholastic Book Club
We are trialling Book Club at Sydney Grammar School.
Your son would have brought home a Scholastic catalogue on Monday. This catalogue also had online ordering information attached. Please note: all orders are online, no orders or money should come in to School. This round of ordering will close on Tuesday 21 March. No orders will be taken after this time. When the books arrive at School we will distribute them out to the boys that have ordered them.
|
|
Kindergarten
KE had some wonderful learning conversations this week around their work on special places in Sydney.
They decided to make a 3D model of all their favourite Sydney landmarks. Well done KE!
|
|
|
From the Director of Music
|
|
|
This timetable is subject to change. Parents, please note that your son’s lesson day may have changed for Week 8 due to Years 4 and 6 being away on camp.
|
|
Cushion Concert (1) 6.00pm TONIGHT in the Hall
Following on from the success of our Cushion Concert series last year, where families come and listen to quality music in a relaxed atmosphere, we are pleased to announce our first Cushion Concert for 2017. ‘Peter and the Wolf’ by Prokofiev will be narrated by Dr Vines from the Music Department at College Street.
|
|
|
I would especially encourage Year 3 boys to come along as this music forms part of their Term 2 class music programme. We will also hear a piano duo playing two movements from ‘Scaramouche’ by Milhaud and Mars and Jupiter from ‘The Planets’ by Holst. Amanda Miller is a Music Department accompanist at College Street. She will be joined by her husband, Michael Bell, also a pianist. The concert will conclude before 7.00pm. Children can bring a cushion and sit on the floor as long as they remain quiet during the performance. Please do not bring food or drink into the Hall.
|
|
No Lessons with Mr Smith and Mr Vickers in Week 8
No lessons with Mr Smith or Mr Vickers Monday to Thursday Week 8 but please check the timetable as some lessons will be given on Friday 24 March.
Brass Ensembles 1 & 2
Rehearsals Week 8 are ON as usual with Mr Grisdale (Monday) and Mr Pye (Tuesday) for Years 3 and 5.
School Choir
As Mrs Fane has told the boys, the rehearsal on Friday Week 8 is an important one and every boy needs to attend. Please note there will be no School Choir rehearsal Friday 31 March (Week 9) due to the Farewell Concert the evening before.
Maffey Strings
Rehearsal Week 8 is ON for all Year 5 boys. Mrs Fane will take your rehearsal. These boys will also be asked to come to the Hall at 8.00am on Friday 24 March to play during School Choir rehearsal.
School Orchestra
Rehearsal Week 8 is ON for all Year 5 boys with Mrs Fane.
No rehearsal Week 9 due to the Farewell Concert for Dr Vallance.
Stevens Wind Ensemble and Kenyon Concert Band
No rehearsals in Week 8 or Week 9 due to camps and The Farewell Concert for Dr Vallance.
Alhambra, Barrios and Blues Guitar Ensembles
No rehearsals Week 8.
Ogden Guitar Ensemble
Friday Week 8 rehearsal is on with Mr Keane.
Farewell Concert for Dr Vallance
Thursday 30 March, 6.30pm, The New Hall, College Street. Boys involved School Choir and R J Lee Singers.
Colorado Children’s Chorale Workshop and Concert
Saturday 1 April, 2.00–6.30pm, The New Hall, College Street. Boys involved School Choir, R J Lee Singers and Maffey Strings.
College Street Diary Dates
Thursday 30 March, 6.30pm – Farewell Concert for Dr Vallance, The New Hall, College Street.
Mr M Smith
|
|
From the P-2 Sportsmaster
|
|
P-2 Intensive Swimming Programme
In Weeks 8 and 9, all Preschool to Year 2 boys will be involved in the swimming programme. During PE lessons boys will be divided in groups that are suited to their ability and experience in the water. In Preschool and Kindergarten classes there will be a number of coaches in the water to support and encourage full involvement by all. All lessons will go ahead unless there are severe weather problems.
Boys are required to bring swimmers, goggles and towels. PLEASE NO RASH VESTS.
Mr B Townley-Jones
|
|
Sport Cancellations for Tomorrow
- All the fixtures for Tennis, Cricket, T-Ball, and Softball have been cancelled due to field and court closures because of the wet weather.
- Boys playing Basketball at St Ives on the covered court are strongly encouraged to check the Wet Weather Line (9990 8472) in the morning, as the court has flooded this week.
|
|
Saturday Sport
This weekend marks the last round of Summer Sport for Term 1. Summer Sport teams and competition will resume in Term 4. Thank you for supporting your sons’ involvement this term, I wish all the boys the best of luck this weekend and I hope that all games go ahead!
After School training, Ball and Boy and Bat and Ball sessions will also be finishing this week.
These sessions have been most popular this term. Ball and Boy training sessions for Football and Rugby will take place from the beginning of Term 2.
Fixtures
An up-to-date Fixture list is on the School's website and can be viewed by clicking here. All venue information, including links to Google maps can also be found on the School's website by clicking here. A printable version of the fixtures can be found by clicking here.
Team Sheets
Please access team sheets, sent on Thursday, by clicking here. Team Sheets provide you with the most up-to-date information regarding your son’s fixture and detail your son’s game location, arrival and match time, team members and non-playing reserves.
3-6 Cross Country Carnival
The 3-6 Cross Country run is on today. Boys have been preparing in PE lessons and during the Friday morning ‘Barefoot Bandit’ training sessions. Unfortunately the Carnival as we know it is unable to go ahead due to the weather conditions experienced this week.
From today’s run the first 8 runners from each age group will be selected to attend the IPSHA Cross Country carnival to be held at the Kings School on Saturday 1 April. I look forward to reporting on the day in next week’s Newsletter.
The efforts of all boys will be acknowledged in the Cross Country presentation at the next Years 3-6 Assembly in Week 10.
|
|
Cross Country training ‘Barefoot Bandits’
In preparation for the IPSHA Cross Country Carnival on 1 April, the ‘Barefoot Bandits’ sessions will continue on Friday 24 March and 31 March, 7.30am-8.00am. School Cross Country team members are strongly encouraged to attend and any keen runners in Years 2-6 are also welcome to join us during these sessions.
|
|
|
Winter Sport
To help plan ahead, these will be the Winter Sport training afternoons for 2017 for boys in Years 3-6. All sessions are 3:00 - 4:00pm.
|
|
| Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday/Friday |
Football
Year 3 and 4
Rugby
Year 3 and 4
|
Football
Year 5
|
Rugby
Year 5 and 6
Football
Year 6
Winter tennis
Year 5 and 6 |
No training |
|
|
Winter Fixtures will be finalised before the end of Term 1 and these will be published on the School's website.
Matches begin in the first week of Term 2, the dates for Saturday Winter fixtures are:
Term 2: 29 April; 6, 13, 20, 27 May; 3, 17 June
Term 3: 22, 29 July ; 5 August
|
|
Rugby Camp at Weigall (Rushcutters Bay)
A Rugby camp for boys from Edgecliff & St Ives Preparatory School has been scheduled for the April holidays. The camp is open to any boy (K-6). The camp will be conducted by the SGS Director of Rugby and SGS coaching staff at Weigall from Wednesday 19 April - Friday 21 April. For further details and to register please click here.
|
|
|
Soccer Camp at Abbotsleigh
In the upcoming holidays, FC Barcelona and their Youth Academy (the "Escola") will be running a holiday camp at Abbotsleigh Girls School, Wahroonga, from 10-14 April. All sessions are taught by FCB Escola coaches, coming to Sydney directly from the club in Spain, following the same methodologies that players such as Messi and Iniesta would have followed during their time at the club's Academy. It is a world class football training program and a chance for Australian youths to get first-hand experience with a top European club. The camp is open to boys and girls 6-16 years old. For anyone interested, please speak to Mr Alasdair Gyngell (the co-ordinator of the FC Barcelona camps in Sydney) or click here for more information.
Please note: there will be no Sports Camp held here at St Ives Prep in the upcoming April holidays.
Mr P Derrin
|
|
|
The School Magazine
The School Magazine is distributed to every boy in Years 2 to Years 6 every month. Our boys enjoy poems, plays, narratives, a crossword and book reviews to encourage wide reading. There may be many parents who recall enjoying The School Magazine during their school days! We display books in the Library that have been reviewed in The School Magazine and hope that after reading an excerpt, boys will be motivated to read the books.
|
|
Congratulations to our Art Master, Mr Andrew Cranna for his comic narrative, Wamura’s Wall, which is featured every month this year on the inside cover of Year 5 – Orbit and Year 6 –Touchdown.
We are very lucky at St Ives to see a wonderful range of illustrations by Mr Cranna throughout the year and indeed each week in the Library on our blackboard. It is exciting that he can now share his work with so many students around NSW. Mr Cranna is also the author and illustrator of the exciting The Bloodhound Boys graphic series.
We have multiple copies in our Library for boys and families to enjoy.
|
|
|
On The School Magazine website there is an interview with Mr Cranna (click here).You can find the answers to questions such as:
- Do you remember which illustrated children’s books were your favourite when you were a young reader? Why?
- Where did your first piece of published art appear?
- Can you remember the moment when the idea for The Bloodhound Boys came to you? How attached do you feel to the characters in your graphic novel?
The Love of Reading
In previous Newsletters, we have highlighted the importance of boys developing daily reading habits. I have been so pleased to meet with boys and families to suggest new titles and authors to encourage and support boys as they try reading new things this year! Please see me in the Library if you would like suggestions of authors or titles for your son to help him to develop his love of reading.
Favourite Books
We are still in search of our favourite book. Thank you to the boys, families and staff who have taken the time to nominate their favourite book! We would love to receive a nomination from every boy and will happily accept nominations from other family members too! Please write your name, the title and author and briefly tell us why that book is your favourite! These may be handed to monitors or staff in the Library.
|
|
Mem Fox at Gordon Library
Next Monday afternoon (4.00-5.00pm) Mem Fox, one of Australia’s finest children’s authors will be talking to parents, teachers and librarians at Gordon Library to share her knowledge and practical advice on how to encourage a love of reading with children. For bookings, please click here.
Happy reading!
Mrs M Darin
|
|
- Years 3-6 Chess will not take place next Wednesday and Thursday due to Year 4 & 6 camp.
- Years 3 & 5 boys who are not on camp may attend Chess Coaching next week on Monday, Tuesday or Friday instead.
- Please note that Years 1 & 2 Chess Coaching will take place as normal.
Mrs S Rogut & Mrs A Forell
|
|
Healey House have selected Their Beautiful Game as the charity which the School will be supporting in Term 1.
Their Beautiful Game offers us the opportunity to make immediate, effective and positive social impacts. Their Beautiful Game is a not for profit organisation that supports football programs for those living in hardship – giving them the equipment they need to coach their own players and teams effectively. Access to sport provides a platform upon which to alleviate the effects of poverty and helps to ensure that everyone, regardless of sex, ethnicity or ability, enjoys and benefits from their right to play.
|
|
|
What can you do to help? Boys are asked to bring in any old or unwanted football/rugby boots and or football playing strips that are still in a usable condition and can be donated to Their Beautiful Game. Please ensure that boots are clean and free of any dirt or mud. Many of these boots will end up on the feet of children in Africa but to ship them there also costs money, so we are asking you to make a small donation along with your boots to help us send them to less privileged boys and girls in Africa. Their Beautiful Game attempts to have a connection between the person giving and receiving the boots. To do this your son will have their photo taken holding the boots they are donating and Their Beautiful Game will take a photo at the other end of the chain, of the person receiving the boots. That way you will be able to see exactly who has received your boots and they can see who they were donated by. If you do not wish for your son to have their photo taken for this purpose then please email the School Office to advise them (stives@sydgram.nsw.edu.au)
Please bring your boots and donation to either Mr Lupton (5L) or Mr Audas (6A) any time before the end of Week 9. Thank you.
Mr S Lupton
|
|
Winter Uniform available now
Boys will need to wear winter uniform in Term 2. Winter uniform is now available in the Uniform Shop. Information about winter uniform can be found here.
Mrs W Stephens
|
|
From the Office
With all the wet weather we have experienced in Term 1 a large number of boys have been provided with a change of clothes through the day if they have become wet and/or muddy. If your son has received these clothes could you please ensure they are washed and returned to the Office as soon as possible.
At this time we have totally run out of Size 8 Summer shorts. If anyone has some old Size 8 Summer shorts they are happy to donate to the School Office we would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.
|
|
Lost Property
We have many pairs of goggles waiting to be claimed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
