What a Year this has been!
Well, we have made history! For the first time, Mosman Prep has completed a full term of lockdown and remote learning!
While I don’t wish to downplay the challenges faced by many of our families during this year, there has once again been much to be thankful for:
- The School in 1919 was faced with the Spanish Flu pandemic. I wonder how they managed without the medical infrastructure and educational informational technology resources we have today?
- Many parents mentioned to me how special it has been to spend more time together as a family.
- I have heard about new friendships and new hobbies springing up.
- And about increased independence, resourcefulness, resilience, and honed technology skills related to learning.
Above all, this year has been another opportunity for our community to shine. I have been so delighted with how positive, calm and settled things have been overall.
The quotes below are from two Mosman Prep parents. They speak to the strength of this community, even in the face of the pandemic! The comments were recorded from one of our recent strategy forums (with permission).
Parent 1 - (New to the School this year) – “We are new to the School and I can see the difference in my son already. He has become more confident and his vocabulary has improved. He has been in quite a few other independent boys schools and has never spoken about ‘school values’. At Mosman Prep he remembers all the school values and talks about them at home.
We have had a great experience so far - even during online learning. So much attention and support. Staff picked up on his personality and helped him adjust so quickly. There has been such an effort to help him adapt and navigate.
I think they know him so well already - they highlighted certain things I was suspecting. Kudos to them as they had so much going on. The attention to detail speaks to the care - not merely on paper, you can see it and feel it. The wellbeing aspect of the School is truly alive. He is really happy!
I was struck by the entire community welcoming, being warm, helping me look for a place to live - it was incredible, wow! The community is not just warm, but something special, authentic. Hospitality by strangers. Walking into this beautiful community really touched me - I have never experienced anything like it before.
It has been an absolutely pleasant surprise - truly transformational. I feel so thankful. There is a deep, deep connection at the School - you literally feel it when you walk in.”
Parent 2 - (In the final year at Prep, having joined in Early Entry) – “It is a place of feeling safe and known. The School is welcoming - their arms are out. You know you will be welcomed and looked after at Mosman Prep.”
Thank you one and all!
I would like to thank all our parents and their extended families for your support of our staff and the Prep Community as a whole this year. Your positive engagement in partnership has been incredibly empowering.
A special thank you to our P&F Committee, Class Parents and Canteen staff for their contribution, again made quite complicated by the pandemic restrictions. I would like to recognise Ms Liz Fifield for the extra responsibility she has taken in guiding the P&F.
Thank you, too, to Mr Greg McDonald, Ms Liza Campbell, the Prep Executive and all the Prep Staff, including the administration, ground staff and peripatetic music staff.
This has been another particularly challenging year for them as they have managed home and school demands, especially with the complications caused by the pandemic.
Their professionalism, passion, ‘can do attitude’, and dedication to the boys and families of the School has been exceptional.
2022 Opportunities
While some parents involved in the strategy forums said that the School was already an exceptional primary school, 2022 promises to be a significant year as we launch into further adventurous positive growth.
This will include attention to the physical precinct, with steps towards a Creative Arts Music Centre, and resurfacing and redevelopment of the basketball court area.
We will also expand our learning offering to include a 3 Day Early Entry Program.
Farewells
This year we farewell Mr Simon Rae. Simon has been a highly regarded member of the Mosman Prep Community for 3 and a 1/2 years. He has been a very important member of our staff team who will be missed greatly. We thank him for his significant contribution and wish him and his family well for the future.
We wish Ms Nicole Deengenaars every blessing for the anticipated birth of her baby and we congratulate Ms Aerlie Vade on the birth of her son Tennyson. Both Nicole and Aerlie are outstanding educators and highly valued members of the Community. Exciting days ahead for them! We wish them all the best for their maternity leave.
To our Year 6 cohort, how special it is that you have finished your primary school journey in Year 6 at Mosman Prep. There is really something unique about such a milestone. I haven’t seen a graduation quite so special in any school, than the way Year 6 finishes it here, and I believe our graduates are better prepared for their secondary school transition than many through other pathways.
I won’t say ‘goodbye!’ to our Year 6 boys and those families finishing up at Prep, but only ‘au revoir!’.
Rather, we look forward to seeing you soon, as lifetime members of the Mosman Prep family. You are always welcome to visit!
The Staff and Council are thankful for the support of our community during 2021.
The verse below has remained a great comfort to me during a year of challenges and opportunities. It is also a powerful encouragement as we head towards a very exciting new year for Mosman Prep.
We wish you a very Merry Christmas and New Year. Stay safe, and enjoy special time with your family and friends over the holiday period.
We look forward to seeing you in 2022.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Peter Grimes | Headmaster
