Prospectus

Where boys thrive. Anything else is a compromise.

Established in 1897 in Bellevue Hill, Tudor House moved from Sydney to its present rural site of 160 acres in 1902.

The Tudor House Coat of Arms was designed by the school’s founder, Mr Wilfred Inman, who took the Tudor Rose – showing the original links to England – and added the Inman family’s motto, “In Domino Confido”, which translates as “In God I Trust”.

Mr Inman wanted to create a school to educate the whole boy. He believed in rigorous classroom programs, in giving boys the opportunity to be boys and to learn about and appreciate the natural environment – all the while encouraging boys to serve their community with honesty, integrity and courage.

The qualities we develop in the present generation of boys attending Tudor House are based on these traditional values, and the school expects all boys from Transition to Year 6 to be caring, thoughtful, inquisitive and to serve others.

Our education philosophy also remains true to our early traditions: we still encourage boys to be boys

and to enjoy the challenges of their youth. We focus on academic success aligned with social, emotional, spiritual, creative and physical well-being. We develop specific programs to maximise our influence on all our young boys’ minds, hearts and hands. We focus on a model of learning that has been specifically developed for Tudor House.

Tudor House was purchased by The King’s School in 1942, commencing a sustained period of investment, growth and stability. We celebrated our centenary in 1997 with a church service led by the Archbishop of Sydney, and established a museum to record our history.

Tudor House is a school where tradition strengthens innovation. With the appointment of Headmaster, Mr John Stewart, in 2008, further major investment has been undertaken in staffing, buildings, environment and technology. Our future is focused on striving to be the best.

Our Heritage

At Tudor House, we treasure our links with the past – and the boys, as a result, build a sense of pride and an understanding of their “moment in time”. Friendships made here will stand the test of time.

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Our ongoing commitment is to create a special learning environment where boys are nurtured academically, socially, emotionally and creatively. We strive for excellence in boys’ education. Our specialist focus on boys’ learning allows Tudor House to strengthen the qualities of maleness, promoting the values of respect, responsibility and leadership.

The great belief we all hold dear is the wonder of being a boy. Childhood is a life in itself, not an apprenticeship for adulthood. The great strength of Tudor House is a commitment to finding, emphasising and building upon every boy’s strengths. Individuals create a culture and it is by celebrating differences we can enrich a community of life-long learners.

We are a thinking school – we celebrate a quest for learning not the containment of knowledge. Our learning focus is on promoting wonder and engagement. Staff, parents, grandparents and old boys all share in the joy of guiding each pupil to find purpose in their potential. We believe inspiration is the secret!

Since 1897, Tudor House has maintained a unique relevance in Australian education. Our boys walk in the footsteps of many pathfinders who, for over a century, have enriched Australian culture: scientists, surgeons, artists, authors, politicians, adventurers and philanthropists. Such a wealth of experience steadies and inspires the desire to succeed.

We promote leadership by giving boys a sense of authority. There is a collective understanding of the responsibilities that underpin any ‘rights’. Our boys are our quality; our boys make our school. Every child has a sense of identity.

No pages or pictures can capture all that we offer. This snapshot of life as a Tudor boy only offers a glimpse into our special world – a world that lasts a lifetime. The opportunity to join us is a doorway into your son’s future.

Headmaster’s Message

John StewartHeadmaster

Tudor House is a magical world where boys thrive.

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Academic Life

This is holistic education and we innovate on this belief to prepare our boys for a future of change.

The academic program focuses on implementing best practice strategies for the effective engagement of boys. Our teachers are facilitators who foster inquiry and promote challenging attitudes towards learning. We aim to equip our boys with the necessary skills to become self-motivated, independent workers who are committed to learning as a lifelong process and have a willingness to accept educational, social, personal and emotional responsibilities.

Scholars’ classOur Scholar’s Class promotes the abilities of boys who love learning and are motivated by the quest for knowledge. We enrich and extend the curriculum offered to these boys and encourage them to be creative and critical thinkers, accept challenges and communicate ideas effectively.

Learning supportWe believe all boys have special interests and special needs. Our focus is on drawing these out, balancing our offering so it is manageable, supporting and guiding parents and teachers, and above all encouraging boys to establish strategies that will help them find success and boost their esteem. Programs are developed to meet the individual learning needs of each child and the focus is on in-class support. This alleviates esteem issues and makes effective use of peer support via learning circle activities.

Specialist lessonsWe like to engage boys in lessons that inspire. We select lessons based on the importance of the ‘discipline’. For example, we offer: • Woodwork – designing and making • Visual Arts – making and appreciating • Music – performing, organising, listening • Religion – comparing, contrasting and

reflecting.

The co-curricular program is an important part of the all round educational experience. Our drama program for example, helps students learn to value tradition and the diverse interests of other students.

Boys’ EducationAt Tudor House we focus on boys. With over 115 years of educating boys, we have the knowledge, the resources and the expertise that engenders confidence. Your sons are fortunate – they are treading in the footsteps of others. Tudor House offers more: more space, more activities, more learning opportunities.

Tudor House emphasises the importance of maleness and challenge. We allow our boys to ride bikes, skateboard and scooter at breaktimes, climb trees, build bases, socialise and develop resilience, enjoy crazes (such as marbles and diablos), fly kites and explore. We give common sense back to our boys’ childhood.

Our ValuesAt Tudor House we offer an environment that values what we call the ‘three new Rs’: 1. Respect for self, others and property 2. Responsibility for thoughts, words

and actions3. Relationships that support and last

a lifetime.Connection with our school community becomes a key learning tool for many boys and inspires them to give back to their school long after they have left it.

Our learning philosophy is based on the traditional belief we should empower and engage boys by providing a broad scope of learning opportunities.

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“ Apart from schoolwork, we were taught the importance of good manners, respect to women and our elders – and in sport to be gracious when winning and to take defeat with a smile. I will never forget my Tudor years. They were the best schooldays of my life.” Boarding Old Boy, 1930-33

The Adventure

They are pieces of a jigsaw rather than rivals for time, allowing our boys to experience a wealth of diversity to develop their individual talents and personalities. It means our boys can be individuals.

At Tudor we believe in giving boys the experiences of a life time – because they will last a life time. Social connectedness is developed through free play. While many schools reduce playtime, we increase it. For boys, learning to play together and explore together, builds relationships.

Our grounds are extensive and well-supervised. Boys are able to explore and gain a sense of wonderment and awe from their surroundings. We have implemented a Playground Licence system, that allows boys the opportunity to explore areas suited to

their age and level of responsibility. Ask any boy what makes Tudor special and they will chorus – “freedom!!” Our formula is a little more considered. We grant freedom because boys have earned our trust. Boys earn our trust because they have been responsible. The Playground Licence system rewards boys with greater space for exploration but also restricts as a consequence of poor choices.

We teach our boys respect, responsibility and relationships. We do this in the context of learning as an adventure. We want our boys to love coming to school each day.

Tudor House is a little boy’s paradise. There is no other school in Australia like it.

The adventure starts the moment you enter our driveway.

At Tudor House we educate boys holistically. And when outdoor education, academic life, sports, community action, food for learning, woodwork, dance and more sit as equals, then all flourish and are enhanced by each other.

“ We chose Tudor in the first place — to build the character of our children whilst still allowing them to be little boys. I wanted the Tom Sawyer experience for my kids.” Tudor House parent, 2011

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Boarding at Our House

Boarding at Tudor House is based on the principle that it should act as an extension of the child’s family. The House has a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that provides a happy and structured environment.

At Tudor House, we strongly believe our House offers boys lots of brothers. As such it should be fun and social, and the facilities and opportunities are wide-ranging. In today’s world, boarding school for primary boys is a caring service of which we are very proud. One fundamental factor lies at the heart of all we do, we are sharing a great joy – the development and life of a child.

City boys find space and freedomFor city boys, boarding school offers freedom and a childhood experience that can’t be replicated living in the city. With more double income families relying on after-school care facilities, or keeping boys indoors with computer nannies, boarding for primary school boys has a modern-day relevance. We allow our boys to ride bikes, climb trees, go

yabbying, watch kangaroos and scare wild bunnies. We give our boys a life on a farm only 1.5 hours south of Sydney.

Preparing boys for secondary boardingPrimary school boarding prepares boys for a less stressful entry into secondary boarding. Our special program helps them enter their boarding school of choice with firm friendships and with confidence. Day boys often take the opportunity to board for a term in either Year 5 and/or Year 6. This helps with the development of independence and organisational skills.

Casual boarding for local ladsFor local boys, boarding school offers another opportunity for sleep-overs in a home environment. If there is the need to have a boy cared for overnight, or for short periods of time, when parents are away we provide a home-away-from-home with reliable caring staff in a familiar setting.

Tudor House is the only primary boys boarding school in Australia, offering boarding for Years 5 and 6, and on special request for Years 3 and 4.

“ Looking back now, my years at Tudor House were amongst the best years of my life. We just had so much fun. And the friends I made are still with me.” Tudor House old boy, 1964-70

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Call our Registrar on 02 4868 0008 for more information, or appointments to meet our Headmaster.

Tudor House is a little boy’s paradise. There is no other school in Australia like it.

Tudor House School 6480 Illawarra Highway, Moss Vale, Southern Highlands, NSW 2577 T 02 4868 0008 E registrar@tudorhouse.nsw.edu.au W www.tudorhouse.nsw.edu.au ABN 24 481 364 152 CRICOS 02326S (Tudor House is owned by the Council of The King’s School but administered by its own Council)

www.tudorhouse.nsw.edu.au

Tudor House is Australia’s only stand alone primary boys boarding and day school – Transition to Year 6, Boarding from Year 5. Established 1897.