Week 1, Term 1 | 31 January 2025

‘The quality of an education system cannot exceed the quality of its teachers, as teachers are the most important factor in student learning and achievement.’

We are privileged to have an exceptional staff team at Prep, and I am confident that the skills of our newest staff members will complement our existing highly professional staff team.

Welcome to our new and returning staff members

New Staff

Jack Wolfreys (Year 1) is passionate about ‘early years’ education and is deeply committed to fostering the development of those eager young minds. He loves rugby union and golf.

Hamish Elsden (Year 2) has a strong background in primary and early childhood education, and a passion for fostering a supportive and dynamic learning environment. He loves running, cricket and soccer.

Molly Demaine (Year 4) is committed to encouraging students to pursue their potential in all endeavours, demonstrating kindness and empathy in every interaction, and valuing diverse perspectives. She loves outdoor education, running and surfing.

Blake Semp (Year 5) has a strong commitment to educational excellence and a passion for boys' education. Along with being a classroom teacher, he has been a high-level soccer coach in New Zealand and enjoys many different sports.

Emma Paul (Gifted and Talented) is passionate about advocating for gifted students, creating responsive and inclusive learning environments, and collaborating with colleagues, parents, and the broader school community to support high-potential learners. She loves spending time with her husband and four children in nature.

Jack Wolfreys, Molly Demaine, Hamish Elsden, Blake Semp

Returning Staff

Clodagh Dwyer (Early Entry Teaching Assistant) returns to Mosman Prep.

Lisa Maiden (Library) returns after a year’s leave.

Anna Bainbridge (Terrey Hills Kitchen Coordinator) returns from maternity leave.

Our Strategic Direction: Towards 2028 recognises that ‘The School’s talented and committed staff are its greatest strength in the enhancement of wellbeing and the pursuit of excellence.’

We affirm our commitment to:
■ Attracting and retaining outstanding primary school boys’ educators – by consistently promoting the critical foundations laid down by an exceptional primary education and by providing optimum learning environments.
■ Maintaining the highest levels of teaching practice – by persistently and regularly assessing our teaching practices and our educational outcomes. We prioritise the growth of teachers’ skills and the professional development of all staff.

Below you will see some 2024 MMG Parent Survey results and comments which (along with other affirmations), celebrate our staff. I am very thankful to have such a capable and invested staff team, and an extremely healthy partnership between staff and parents (built on trust and respect), which allows powerful collaboration and ensuing enhancement of student outcomes.

I am sure you will agree with me that our Mosman Prep staff team is an exceptional professional learning community, empowering our boys to thrive both now and into the future.

Peter Grimes | Headmaster

2024 MMG Parent Survey Snapshot

NB - The MMG average 86% consists of 5,600 respondents from other like Independent Primary Schools.

Trybooking link https://www.trybooking.com/CXUUU

To all new boys and families, welcome to Mosman Prep! I pray that your son and family will enjoy all that this wonderful school offers and embrace the fabulous community spirit! Starting a new school or entering into a new year with new classmates and teachers can evoke a range of emotions for our young boys (and parents too!). New beginnings can fill us with excitement, joy, anticipation and possibilities. We can also experience anxiety, nervous energy and fear. In times of new beginnings I am reminded that our school is a special community that supports and looks out for one another because we live out our School Motto: “Non Nobis Solum” – Not for ourselves alone.

This year I pray that your son will find great joy in extending a helping hand to those around him, whilst also experiencing for himself, love, care, encouragement and support from his peers and teachers. As we pursue the calling of loving service, may it draw our gaze towards the love God has for us his image-bearers. As we read in the New Testament, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:11). I am deeply convinced that a community marked by the love of God is a community that looks out for one another and loves one another through the rollercoaster of life.

Parents and Guardians, please know that if you have any pastoral concerns, or need a listening ear, I am here to support your family. Please don’t hesitate to contact me via the school reception or email ddiener@mosmanprep.nsw.edu.au

Rev. Daryl Diener School Chaplain, Deputy of Pastoral Care

Our voluntary lunchtime group ‘CRU’ will kick off next week. It’s a great place to have some fun, grow in our friendship with God and connect with one another. JuniorCRU (K-2) takes place during Monday Lunch, SNRCRU (Years 3-6) occurs during Tuesday Lunch.

Rev. Daryl Diener School Chaplain, Deputy of Pastoral Care

We are excited to launch VEX Robotics at Mosman Prep, an innovative program designed to inspire young minds through hands-on learning and problem-solving.

Running every Monday from 3:15-5:15pm, this enrichment opportunity is open to Stage 2 and Stage 3 students who are eager to explore the world of robotics.

Through VEX, students will:

1. Build and program their own robots
2. Develop computational thinking and engineering skills
3. Drive and operate robots in real-world challenges

The program will be delivered by expert coaches from Sydney Robotics Academy, including VEX Australia & World Championship-level mentors. As our students refine their skills, we aim to establish VEX as a permanent part of our enrichment offerings, with future plans to compete in interschool robotics competitions.

Parents can book their child’s place through the Enrichment Program information sent out today. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to bring STEM learning to life!

This year, we are excited to partner with ScopeIT to bring hands-on digital technology lessons to our Stage 2 and Stage 3 students. These sessions take place fortnightly on Friday afternoons when students are not at sport training.

Today, Year 3 and Year 4 had their first coding lesson with two instructors from ScopeIT. Next Friday afternoon, Year 5 and Year 6 will begin their course.

Mosman Prep School Coach 

Bookings are open for Term 1 2025, Chatswood route. Also now available is the option to purchase an Annual Pass. Please see the link below:

2025 School Coach Bookings - Chatswood Route

Queenwood Service

Mosman Prep has also partnered with Queenwood to offer more transport options for families. Positions on this service are subject to availability; priority is given to Queenwood students. For more information visit: https://www.queenwood.nsw.edu.au/Student-Life/School-Transport

Links to Important Term 1, 2025 Sports Information below, and placed on the School Website:

• 2025 Term 1 Summer Sport Information
• 2025 Sport Dates
• 2025 Mosman Prep Summer Sport Squad Lists
• 2025 Term 1 IPSHA Saturday Sport Fixture List & Venue Addresses
• 2025 Basketball Singlet Numbers (required when purchasing basketball uniforms)
• IPSHA Codes of Behaviour for School Sport

Steve Riddett | Director of Sport

Midweek After-School Training

Please note the Term 1 After-School Summer Sport Training Days below.

After-School sports training in Term 1 will commence in Week 2. For after-school training, boys are to be collected from their allocated venue at 4:30pm.

*In Week 2, all Year 5/6 Basketball will train on both Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Boys will then be allocated to 1sts-4ths (Tues) and 5ths-6ths (Thurs) Squads for training from Week 3 onwards.

Steve Riddett | Director of Sport

There will be internal training on Saturday, 8 February for all Senior Primary (Year 3-6) boys. Team lists for these internal basketball and cricket games will be sent to all parents on Thursday 6 February.  

Please see below for times and venues:

MISC = Mosman (Marie Bashir) Indoor Sports Centre - Cross Street, Mosman. Off Bradley’s Head Road and next to Rawson Oval.

PLEASE NOTE- Senior Year 5/6 (1sts-4ths or 5ths-6ths) Basketball training squads will be advertised on Monday 10 February after the internal Saturday training sessions on 8 February.

Steve Riddett | Director of Sport

The Junior Primary Swimming Carnival (Year 1 and 2 only) will take place at Manly Pool next Wednesday 5 February from 1:00pm-2:00pm.

Important Points for Parents

• We invite all parents to attend. There is a cost of $4.40 for entry to the swim centre.
• All students will be taken to the venue via School Bus. Those parents attending the carnival are free to take their sons home direct from the carnival with the approval of their class teacher at 2:00pm. All other students will be taken back to school via school bus. Pick up time for these students will remain as normal from school.
• All boys will need to wear their House sports uniform plus hat and bring their morning tea, lunch and drinks (water).
• All competitors will need to bring their swimming costumes, towel, and goggles in a bag. Board shorts are not permitted. House-coloured swimming caps will be provided to students to wear on the day.
• Entry and Exit Points: The entrance for parents and spectators is on Kenneth Road, all parents attending are to use this entry only. Parking: 4 hour parking is located along Kenneth Road. All surrounding streets are 2 hour parking only.
• Boys will not be permitted to buy anything from the Manly Swim Centre’s canteen.
• The Carnival Program will be placed on the School Website (Sport/Sports Fixtures and Training/ page) and sent to all parents prior to the carnival.
• There is NO DIVING at the carnival. The pool has a continuous depth of 1m.

Steve Riddett | Director of Sport 

The Senior Primary Swimming Carnival was held last week in fantastic spirit at Cranbrook Senior School’s Swim Centre. Congratulations to all boys who took part and many thanks to all the parents and friends for their support. A huge thank you also to all the teachers who helped run the carnival so well in their various officiating roles.

Age Champions: Brendon Cai (9 Years), Lachlan Miller (10 Years), Luke Yates (11 Years), Lewis Barrett (12 Years)

Age Runners-Up: Jaxsen Varker-Miles (9 Years), Rupert Bateman (10 Years), Louis Timmins (11 Years ), Matthew Thomas (12 Years)

The E M von Tiedemann Trophy for long-distance swimming goes to: Matthew Thomas

The Gibb Cup (House Champions): Yarnold

The age champions and runners up received their medals at assembly today. Place and participation ribbons will also be distributed next week at School.

Steve Riddett | Director of Sport

Saturdays: On Saturdays the MCEPS Information Line will be updated between 6:30 and 7:00am. This number has the most up-to-date information the School can provide regarding matters of sport and excursions. Parents are to call this number and not the School Office. After heavy rain, Mosman Council often closes its grounds, so please check with this number for all school sport and excursion cancellations.

Weekdays: In case of inclement weather, please ring the Prep Information Line, which will be updated from 1:00pm. Ovals might be closed by Mosman Council on fine days, if the preceding days have been wet. It is therefore advised that parents should ring the School’s Information Line on training days if there has been recent rain. 

PLEASE NOTE:  if the message has not been updated, Sport is ON as scheduled.

Steve Riddett | Director of Sport

Dear Parents 

Canteen Volunteer Opportunity: Daily volunteers are essential to the School maintaining a cost-effective and smooth-running canteen service. As a parent volunteer, you'll work alongside canteen staff and serve the boys during busy recess periods, 10:20-11:20am. No kitchen or cooking experience required. Use this link to sign up for a 1-hour shift any day(s) during school term. Any questions about canteen volunteering, contact Jeff Brown @ 0400 410 737. 

As a matter of compliance, school volunteers must complete the Volunteer Form below, and have a current NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC). Send completed forms to volunteer@mosmanprep.nsw.edu.au

LINK - Volunteer Signup Form

Jeff Brown | P&F Committee, Canteen

Mosman Prep prides itself on its service to community, guided by our motto, Non Nobis Solum – Not for Ourselves Alone. In this spirit, in 2024 in partnership with the P&F, a school community initiative called ‘Meals with Love’ was launched.

This service provides home cooked evening meals for Mosman Prep families in times of need. All meals are cooked by parent and teacher volunteers and are available for as many evenings as required. This service is anonymous, so meals cooked by volunteers will be delivered to the office for collection by the family as coordinated by the School. 

If your family has a need for this service, please contact Julie Shortland at the School Office at ea@mosmanprep.nsw.edu.au.

If you are also interested in being a volunteer and cooking the occasional meal for a family in need, please contact our new Meals with Love Coordinator, Georgina Ridhalgh at GRidhalgh@hlbnsw.com.au. 

I'd like to thank Georgina for taking up the Coordinator role and also all the wonderful volunteers who have cooked meals this year. It has been a pleasure to create this service for the Mosman Prep community and have it continue.

Meals with Love Coordinator

For the schedule of school events, please refer to the online calendar, which can be found HERE.