From the Assistant Principal
Arlington and the PYP
We did it!! The IB has approved our school for authorisation to offer the Primary Years Programme. A huge congratulations to the our fabulous PYP Coordinator Cressida and all of the Arlington staff on the successful verification report. Please read the following page for more information.
Year 12s Valedictory
Valedictory has snuck upon us. It's an exciting time and for me personally, an extra special time as some of our graduating children were taught in the 10s and 11s so very long ago at Arlington by me, Michael Price and Deb Heyes.
It was my first year at Preshil with a remarkable group of children and they taught me so much about what it means to be a part of this special community.
As the teachers of the 10s and 11s, we worked excitedly alongside the children putting together a special night for the 2013 graduating class and shared stories of what it might be like when they graduated. In 2013, 2019 seemed a lifetime away. In the blink of an eye, here it is!
*The following has been taken from our Arlington Curriculum Document
WHAT IS VALEDICTORY?
The Valedictory Dinner has been a long-standing Preshil tradition. The children in the 10s & 11s work together as a group to organise and decorate the Hall for the Year 12 Valedictory Dinner. With this privilege and rite of passage come inherent responsibilities, such as creating personalised gifts for each graduating student, deciding on a theme, organising table settings, centrepieces, placemats, table placement, deciding on a decoration/colour scheme and hanging the class curtain painted by that group of Year 12 students six years before. Preparing and planning the Valedictory Dinner, like Curtain- Making and Playmaking, is the medium used for the exploration and development of higher order cooperative group work skills.
The Brainstorming Phase:
As the time for the Valedictory Dinner draws close, the children in the group meet to discuss ideas for the evening. Themes, decorations and ideas are discussed and those present are aware that this is their gift to the graduating students in Year 12.
The group always strives to create a unique and individual experience which reflects that year’s group of Preshil graduates. After many informal and formal discussions, themes are voted on and a short-list remains. After considering the logistics and requirements of each individual theme, the group undertakes a final vote and the theme for the Valedictory Dinner is decided.
The Interviewing Phase:
The group meets together and individual members choose a Year 12 student to interview. In interviewing these students, the children are interested in finding out about their individual interests, tastes, aspirations and dreams. The interviews can last anywhere from half an hour to two hours. With their data collected the group discusses what types of gifts they would like to make for their Year 12 student, what materials or resources are required and seek feedback from their peers.
The Gift -Making Phase:
With clay, tools, wood, fabric, dye, beads, paper and all manner of materials collected, a flurry of activity begins. Over the space of a week, the children work to create a graduation gift for their Year 12 student. Ideas are sought from others, skills shared and the gift-making phase of the process is undertaken.
These gifts are always handmade and great thought goes into who they are being made for. Jewellery, wooden models and treasure boxes, mobiles and personalised books are created with love and care and are finally wrapped and labelled.
The Hall Decorating Phase:
The children revisit their chosen theme for the evening. They list areas of responsibility such as wall decorations, paper chains, table decoration and curtain hanging. Groups form and the collaborative process is repeated.
The children may involve other groups in the school. The 5s may be asked to make colourful paper chains or lanterns. The 6s & 7s may be invited to finger-paint large paper placemats. The 8s & 9s may be required to make the centre-pieces for the tables. Involving all of the Arlington children creates a shared sense of purpose.
As Valedictory Day arrives, the chains, placemats, centrepieces and tablecloths are collected and brought to the Hall. With great pride the children get to work and transform the space into a colourful and welcoming environment. Once the Year 12s curtain has been hung, the children collect the gifts and arrange them on the stage, hidden behind the curtain.
The Community Phase:
When the Hall has been decorated, the tables placed and set, the children in the group stand back and admire their efforts. Though they will not be present at the Valedictory Dinner to witness the reactions of the Year 12 students to their efforts and their gifts, they imagine what it will be like, how it will be received and reflect on how they worked together as a team to create this space to honour the graduating students. Many wonder what it will be like at their own Valedictory Dinner six years in the future.
The group now invites all the other children in the school who contributed their time and effort to come and admire the Hall. This is always an exciting event for the younger children who are often mesmerised by the transformation.
At the end of the day, parents wander in and congratulate the children on their efforts. The Valedictory Dinner engages all members of the school community even if they are not attending the evening itself. That night, the Year 12 students arrive to a lovingly decorated Hall. They sit at tables and reminisce about the time they made placemats or paper chains as young children.
The presence of their curtain often brings back fond memories for them. Valedictory Dinner is the final phase of the student’s life at Preshil and they are reminded of their time at Arlington. They discuss cubby-building, share anecdotes about playground adventures and teachers and they are always drawn to their curtain.
Later in the evening, they take turns wearing the Talking Hat and they make their parting speeches as young adults ready to take their place in the world whilst standing in front of the curtain they painted together as children. The cycle of the curtain and their time at Preshil is complete when it is drawn back to reveal the gifts the younger children have made for them. Valedictory Dinner is a powerful and often emotional reminder to those present, of the loving and nurturing family-like environment and nature of Preshil, and all that it stands for.
2020 Enrolments
As we finalise 2020 enrolments and classes across all levels of the school, please let us know as soon as possible if you have a sibling who intends to enrol for next year.
Natalie Jensen
Assistant Principal