Why consider Tudor House? The many layers of opportunity outlined.

It was great to have so many people attend our function at the Cruising Yacht Club in Sydney on Wednesday 16 November.  Many people are unaware as to what Tudor House offers.  As one person put it, “I didn’t realise there were so many layers.”  My presentation is now online and I would recommend all parents read/view it, as it draws out much recent research and highlights the rationale behind all we do.

If I could offer a one-liner, it would be simply:

“To think beyond yourself”

To expand on this, I would like to reiterate our vision statement.

By caring, Tudor House will nurture in each boy the new 3Rs…

        Respect for Self and Others
        Responsibility for Thoughts, Actions and Deeds
        Relationships that Support and Last a Lifetime

                    … developing in our boys a love of learning for life.

This vision is underpinned by eight strategic pillars:

1. Spirituality – in the Anglican tradition
2. Emotional Intelligence
3. Sociability
4. Academic Success
5. Physical focus
6. Creativity
7. Environmental Awareness
8. Technological

So how do we do this and why should you trust Tudor House in fulfilling these parameters?

1. Spirituality - A protective shield against mental illness. We want to give our boys awareness and mindfulness

• Focus on spirituality – Anglican faith
• Chapel each week – with a focus on the Christian message
• Charity – developing a sense of giving
• Grace before meals
• Focus on bible readings – with the boys reading the passage
• Chapel choir
• Special services to commemorate key dates
• Sunday Chapel Services, with an expectation families and staff attend at least once a term

Did you know: One in four Australians aged 16–24 years had experienced some mental health disorder in the previous twelve months. In the estimates of disease burden for 2010, mental disorders account for about half of the burden in these young people.

2. Emotional Intelligence: Being aware of self and others is a key for future success.

• Focused program – You Can Do It!
• Discipline model – Positive Behaviour Management
• Vertical connectedness – Colour Families
• Welfare system – Colour Families
• Flag Parade every morning – teachers shake hands
• Thematic days – Manners Monday, Tote-Tray Tuesday, Challenge Wednesday, Friendship Friday
• Daily dining together
• School Counsellor onsite
• Staff and Student Meetings
• Moot for Year Six
• Leadership training: Senior Award, Monitors, King’s Day
• Very nature of K-6 provides leadership

Did you know: “It’s not your IQ.  It’s not even a number.  But emotional intelligence may be the best predictor of success in life, redefining what it means to be smart” Cover of Time magazine, 1995

3. Sociability: Getting along allows us to develop our networks of influence. We should strive to have our children develop into “hubs”.

• Focus on freedom based on the chain of respect: Act responsibly – earn our trust – be granted greater freedom
• Playground licence system
• More play-based focus with opportunities to take responsible risks
• Computers for learning NOT for leisure
• Daily dining at table in groups
• Crazes encouraged – marbles, yo-yos, diablos
• Camping out at night with mates in Year Six
• Skype and web-conferencing
• Link to the past – tradition shapes our environment
• Flag parade every morning
• Colour House ball games
• Sense of community – Meyer House for parents
• Special events – Kite Day, GP Day, Anzac Day, Billy Cart Day
• Charity focus: Dream Cricket Day
• The Year Six Dance – mixing socially with girls
• K-6 gives a rite of passage into high school. Kids in K-12 schools can go right through school without any need to make new friends or experience social transitions.

Did you know: Australian Bureau of Statistics: the percentage of our waking time spent alone increased by 14% to three hours a day!

4. Academic: Learning boosts confidence, knowledge and control

• Small classes with exceptional teachers
• Timetable – with a focus on literacy and numeracy blocks
• Spotlight lessons – where teachers are peer-reviewed
• Scholarship/OC class initiated in 2011
• Boys’ education specialists – only boys’ school between Canberra and Sydney
• Direct instruction programs – Spelling Mastery, Maths Mastery
• Improving NAPLAN results
• Writing Wall celebrations
• Comprehension focus
• Assessments for learning
• Accelerated Reader
• Inquiry based learning model

Did you know: As reported on ABC morning news – 15 November 2011: More Australian children falling behind in literacy and numeracy in international scales, falling from 2nd to 6th  COAG Reform Council.

5. Physical: Healthy habits need training and role-modelling.  We want our kids to survive and thrive.

• Blue Bar challenge
• Sports carnivals – IPSHA – CIS pathways
• Triathlon – where boys cheer each other and compete individually or in teams
• Bike riding, skateboarding, skating
• No tuck shop or canteen – so controlled meals
• Water – no soft-drinks
• We provide all meals – our focus is on wholesome, home-cooked food and our vision is to become a preservative free school
• Fresh fruit whenever the boys want it
• Playtime is emphasised as a key element of learning
• Sport is important – as a small school we punch above our weight: 2nd in National Interschools competition, undefeated 1st XV rugby, Sports tour to Kinross, QLD cricket tour
• Sport played: water polo, cricket, softball, AFL, football, rugby
• Excellent facilities that are not timetabled with a high school

Did you know: In Australia’s 14-16 year olds: only 1% eat the recommended serving of fruit (if you take out juices); and 0% eat enough vegetables (if you take out potato).

6. Creativity: Our children need to be innovative and lateral – we need to create change agents who can adopt and adapt, seeing problems as opportunities.

• Woodwork and Art every week
• Music program weekly
• Show Case Concert   
• Music Tour
• Eisteddfod competition 
• IPSHA Music Festival   
• Differentiated learning activities
• Performances: Public Speaking, Poetry Recital, Red Cross Concert, Fancy Dress, Nativity Play, Carol Concert, Year Six Production
• Dance program in Term 1 with end of term Dance Spectacular
• Wakakirri competition – we came 3rd
• Art Show and Fair – 2012
• Play every day
• Weekly assemblies
• Chess competitions
• Choir and singing for boys

Did you know: studies have highlighted we lose our divergent thinking skills as we progress through school.  In some studies Kindergarten children outperform adults!

7. Environmental: Our children will need to appreciate, respect and protect their environment.  We cannot continue to use – we have to return to reuse for our resources are finite.

• 160 acres of rolling farmland – space!
• Kahiba program for boys
• Working farm
• Fishing
• Base building
• Science focus
• Seasonal change
• Paddock to Plate
• Water ways – yabbies
• Conservation areas
• Gardening club
• Contact with animals

Did you know: a major focus for 2012 will be on environmental science so our boys grow into our unique environment.  We will look to developing a market garden and herb garden beside the kitchen.

8. Technological: We are preparing our children for the 21st Century – which will give such amazing opportunities and risks.

• Arguably the best ICT infrastructure in Southern Highlands
• video conferencing suite
• Interactive whiteboards in every classroom
• Full audio-visual hardware in every classroom
• Clickers for testing and surveys
• Wireless technology
• Skype for boarders
• A PA system for broadcasting
• Two full class laptop trolleys for upper primary, providing for two classes
• Use of Web2.0 for communication
• Every boy has email address
• Database tracking for progress and reports
• Headmaster is a geek! Join our Twitter account and stay up to date.
• ICT is supported by the full power of The King’s School

Did you know: by age 21, boys in the USA on average spend 10 000 hours playing computer games.  By 2029 analysts predict computers will be on par with human intelligence!
 

Watch our slide presentation of the information imparted at a recent Sydney function.