What a Year!
2025 has been another incredibly successful year for Mosman Prep. Along with the powerful programs and the deep relational connections developed, it has been exciting to see 23 new boys joining Mosman Prep after the commencement of the School year. We welcome all our new boys and new families to the community.
Thank you Parents
I would like to thank our parents and their extended families for your support of our staff and the Prep Community this year. Your positive engagement in partnership, built on trust and respect, has been extremely empowering, and has helped make Mosman Prep the very special community that it is.
Thank you to our 2025 Class Parents, and Canteen Managers for their significant contribution this year. A special thank you to our 2025 P&F Committee for your superb engagement with the School and the support you provide to parents, boys, staff, and to me. Especially outgoing President Simone Landers. We thank Simone for her wisdom, time and energy.
Thank you School Council
Thank you also to the School Council members for their invaluable time, wisdom and passionate engagement in support of the School and me, which is greatly appreciated. Special acknowledgement to the Council Chair, Amanda Robertson for her wise council and outstanding leadership.
During the year we have once again delivered on our Strategic Initiatives and commitment to being, ‘An exceptional boys’ primary school igniting a love of learning and life in the critical early years, as we prepare young boys for their future’.
With Christian faith as our foundation, we have aimed to develop and strengthen:
- positive relationships
- honourable character
- pursuit of excellence
- commitment to contribute to the lives of others
Thank you Staff
We have outstanding staff, who are the backbone of our School, this year welcoming impressive new members including teachers: Ms Molly Demaine, Mr Hamish Elsden, Ms Emma Paul (Challenge), Mr Blake Semp, Mr Jack Wolfreys, and Ms Sherry Chen and Ms Joey Leung (Mandarin).
I am very thankful for the wisdom and hard work of our Executive team, Ms Alex Fentoullis (Deputy of Learning and Innovation) and Mr Brendan Frost (Deputy of Student Opportunities and School Operations), other leadership staff, including: our Director of Business Management Mrs Liza Campbell, Director of Creative Arts Ms Juliana Zatz, Director of Sport Mr Steve Riddett, Director of Gifted and Talented Mrs Colleen Elkins, Director of Technology Mr Matt Blackband, Marketing and Communications Manager Mrs Sonya Hemsley, Director of Admissions Mrs Anne-Maree Pastega, and my EA Ms Julie Shortland.
Our Priority Project Leaders including Mr Tim Hudson (Data Management), Ms Ellie Mackay (Community Connections including Aboriginal and Queenwood Connections), Mrs Kath Gresson (Sustainability), and Mr Jack Wolfreys (Student Leadership) have all done an excellent job growing these important components of our School.
Thank you to all our Prep Staff, including the teaching staff, administration, ground staff and peripatetic music staff. Their professionalism, enthusiasm, ‘can do attitude’ and dedication to the boys and families of the School has been exceptional.
Research is clear that the quality, and collective belief of staff regarding their impact, has the greatest effect on student outcomes. A school is only as good as its staff, and we have a very impressive team, evidenced by the work they do positively changing lives, our Parent Survey results, and other parent feedback. This year, in their usual way, they have gone above and beyond to bless the boys and parents.
Life is an adventure, and it’s time for one of our beloved staff members to commence a new season in her career! While there is sadness at losing special people from our community, there is an excitement that we can hold for them. Kathryn Clarkin has been such a gift to us in her role as a Teaching Assistant. Her professionalism, relational heart, competence, and generosity have, amongst other qualities, have been greatly appreciated.
Relationships, Community, Connection and Belonging
Relationships are at the foundation of everything we do. As one parent identified recently, ‘It is Mosman Prep’s secret sauce’. When boys are connected and happy, they can learn. When staff and parents are connected, they can support the boys in the best way possible - a village raising each child. Our School Motto, ‘Not for ourselves alone’, and values of respect, integrity, courage, and compassion, based on our Christian foundations, lie at the heart of our community.
Pastoral Care
A strong Pastoral Care and Wellbeing support structure empowers healthy relationships and holistic growth. Our Pastoral Care Committee consisting of Ms Merel Dekkers, Ms Skye Adams, Mr Tim Hudson and Ms Julie Shortland has done a superb job in supporting boys, staff, and parents.
This year we introduced the Macquarie University wellbeing MyMind Check Survey for students. In 2026 we will partner with the Association of Independent Schools to engage in their Whole School Wellbeing Initiative. Our MMG Survey data continues to place our student and staff wellbeing scores significantly higher than the ‘like schools’ MMG Average.
Events
One of our Strategic Pillars is Community – Harnessing the strength of community and deepening our shared sense of belonging. Our Welcome Party, Barn Dance, Mother’s, Father’s and Grandparents’ Day events, Creative Arts celebration, and Golf Day this year were all highly successful. Thank you to those parents who organised or assisted with these events.
Teaching and Learning
Teaching and Learning, led superbly by Ms Alex Fentoullis, is cutting edge boys’ education, focusing on foundational and future proofing skills and dispositions, and evidence-based data informed practice.
Our boys are likely to have up to 6 different careers and 15 jobs in their lifetime. Some researchers suggest that 85% of the jobs they will do haven’t yet been created. We need to ensure the development of foundational academic skills combined with future proofing skills in areas such as critical thinking, collaboration, and informational technology.
With our exceptional teacher to student ratio, use of data to track growth, and ‘grouping and re-grouping for need’ model, we have once again delivered individual learning attention in the most critical years of our boys’ brain development.
Abundant Opportunities
The provision of abundant opportunities ensures our boys can develop new skills, character, confidence, and relational connections which contribute to the development of their Graduate Attributes.
It is our goal that on Graduating from Mosman Prep at the end of Year 6, each boy will be:
Character Attributes: Compassionate, Principled, Globally Aware, Adaptable, Relational
Learning Attributes: Collaborative, Curious, Autonomous, Prepared, Innovative
Secondary School Transition
On Monday night, we farewelled our Year 6 cohort during a special graduation dinner at Manly Golf Club, where each boy spoke passionately about his journey at Mosman Prep. There is really something quite unique about the way Year 6 finishes at Mosman Prep, and I believe those who graduate here are better prepared for their secondary school transition. Something which has been confirmed often by parents whose sons have transitioned to Year 7.
For those families who still have a significant degree of uncertainty about a secondary pathway, I encourage you to email me to book an appointment.
After visiting many secondary schools and speaking to their Headmasters, it would be a pleasure to meet with you to discuss possibilities. It is worth noting that we have a particularly close connection with The King’s School and Scots College where a priority placement is provided, and more recently a strengthened connection with Shore.
The Staff and Council are thankful for the support of our community during 2025 and excited about the opportunities 2026 holds for Mosman Prep. Have a very special Christmas and New Year period. Stay safe and enjoy precious times with your family and friends. We look forward to seeing you in 2026!
Mr Peter Grimes | Headmaster
