What is Prep?

Prep refers to the period of time in which Year Seven and Eight boy boarders are to complete set homework and assessment tasks, under the supervision of boarding staff in a classroom environment. During Prep, boarders are supervised and assisted in their efforts to complete homework tasks written in their diaries and any assessment tasks for which they have been provided task sheets. Boarders are responsible for ensuring that all set work is completed and all tasks are submitted on time.

Structure of Prep
Outside of the classroom, the Boarding School provides opportunities, the environment and the resources for students to complete their academic work.

Support available from Staff

Staff support boarders during Prep in the following ways: Providing an orderly classroom environment which is conducive to work and which reflects the nature of adolescent learners Providing one-on-one guidance with homework Providing feedback on progress and acting as a sounding board for ideas Subject specific tutorials (Maths and English, among others) Access to computers (both in the CRC five nights a week, and in the Dormitory) Taking follow up action to address student performances which do not meet expectations

Supervised Prep
Supervised Prep is held in classroom B5 (B4 for Year 7s) from 5:55pm to 7:15 7:30pm, Sunday through Thursday night. In this session, students are able to undertake quiet individual work, group work and to rehearse musical instruments or speaking tasks. These sessions are supervised by the Head of House or Assistant Head of House, supported by other (residential) staff. The end time of this supervised session remains fluid; sometimes it will be earlier (7:15pm) or later (7:30pm, onwards) depending upon the quantity of work boarders have been set. If a significant number of boarders have participated in a co-curricular activity all afternoon (preventing their participation in Prep in Lieu and from making the 5:55pm start time for Supervised Prep), Supervised Prep will run past 7:30pm in order to allow students to complete their work. If a student has work to complete at the end of the supervised session, it is expected that they will continue to work in the Computer Resource Centre (CRC) or Boarding House in order to meet their teachers expectations. Participation in post-Prep activities and games are not mandatory.

The role of the Student

Students are expected to: Complete all work set by teachers in the expected timeframe Meet all behavioural expectations as established by the Head of [Boarding] House Conduct themselves in a manner which does not impede their learning, or the learning of other students Be prepared for Prep, bringing all required items to the session

Prep in Lieu
Boarders whose co-curricular commitments prevent them from attending the supervised Prep session must attend the Prep in Lieu session. Prep in Lieu is held in the Middle School Library, allowing students unrestricted access to the resources available there. Although Prep in Lieu runs for an hour from 3:30pm, assistance, resources and an environment in which to work are all available to boarders from 3:00pm until Lights Out (just before 9:00pm).

The role of the Classroom Teacher

Although it takes place outside of the classroom, Prep is a team effort between the day-school and boarding. For boarders to achieve their best, it would be appreciated if classroom teachers: Notify respective boarding houses of set work (via the Student Diary or Email) Notify respective Heads of House if a boarder has arrived in class with set work not completed