From the Head of Junior School – 31 October 2019

We have recently had a few major events occur in the Junior School. Since the last Campus News edition, we braved the forecasted weather of rain and possible storms to have a successful Athletics Carnival. The day began with the Prep to Year 2 Field and Track Events , followed by the ELC 4 year old children  run their races. The Years 3 to 6 children participated in a variety of events including discus, shot put, vortex, long jump, sprints, relays, hurdles and tunnel ball. The children are very lucky to be given so many types of track and field events in which to participate. On the day, Gipson House was the overall victor with 2563 points, followed by Campbell House with 2260 points and Cunningham House with 2162 points. Thank you to Mr Hibbins for his meticulous organisation of the day and to the many support staff who helped behind the scenes too. It was a great community event and House spirit shone through. I congratulate the following children who are named as Year Level champions on the day: Prep- Joshua Beames, Story Reardon; Year 1- Rui Lam and Olivia A’Vard-Blais; Year 2- Jacob McDonald and Kate Dougall; Year 3- Max Goode and Chloe Westerveld; Year 4 – Ryan Bezzina and Ashleigh Stibbard; Year 5- Coen Bulte and Jarra Utan; Year 6- Ethan Moreira and Imaya Rajakaruna.

The Prep and Year 1 Concert ‘All About Me’ was a real treat for the parents and audience members on Tuesday 22 October. Each child was given the opportunity to show their true personality through dressing up in an outfit that represented their hobbies, interests and uniqueness. Each class and year levels sang songs and contributed to video reflections about themselves. It was such a beautiful concert and each child had their moment in the spotlight. Again, special thanks to the Music and classroom teaching staff, especially Ms Yvette Leach who planned and orchestrated the evening. It was so delightful!

World Teachers Day was celebrated on October 25. This year our school put on a Morning Tea to acknowledge our teaching staff. I have been in education for over 30 years and I can say with certainty that the profession has changed drastically. Perhaps more so, are expectations of teachers. Teaching is more than (and never has been) a 8.30-3pm job. Teaching is exhausting for all the right reasons but also one of the most gratifying; our Junior School staff love their jobs. They recently told me so and it can be seen by the way in which they celebrate each child’s individuality, cater for individual differences, try hard to design lessons that are innovative and provide enough challenge for each child. Teachers not only develop each child intellectually and academically but they nurture and teach each child how to connect with others emotionally, socially and physically. It is a most rewarding profession to be in and I thank all the teachers for the care and excellent education given to your child. Let’s show them our appreciation!

Our Junior School proudly hosted a St Margaret’s Netball Tournament over two very warm days last week. Many local primary schools joined in the round robin netball tournament. Our senior teams of girls and a mixed team played well, showing team spirit. Again, sincere thanks to Andrew Hibbins and Courtney Rabl for their organisation of this day. The weather was kind to us and a most enjoyable tournament was had by all. Our Year 5 and 6 teams of girls and a mixed team enjoyed the tournament and acquitted themselves very well. Thank you to Mr Hibbins and Courtney Rabl for their organisation of the day and to our coaches Alana Cary and Kristy Evans.

Finally, we especially acknowledge some of our Junior School students for their energy and enthusiasm as they undertook the challenge of external competitions.

The Science Talent Search competition was held in August and we recently received these impressive results and congratulate these students: Acknowledgement awards: Lara Gudelj and Robbie Parker: Merit Awards: Scott Dougall, Sanuki Adikaram, Eliza Brennan, Minor Bursary: Shrika Anand, Coen Bulte, Maisy Thurmond, Anika Fazan, Leo Thurmond; and Pym Cook received a Major Bursary. Coen Bulte’s invention called Moondust Dilemma is now eligible for the National BHP Foundation Science and Engineering Awards for 2020. This is a spectacular achievement and we wish Coen well and commend him for this great achievement.

Four of our students achieved outstanding results in the National History Challenge. They conducted research and wrote essays in the category of People Power. They recently attended an awards ceremony in the city: Dylan Jennings received a Victorian Young Historian Gold Certificate; Jada Tiberi, Prateek Patange and Tahani Karunajeewa each received a Victorian Young Historian Silver Certificate. We are proud of these students, their individual efforts and investigations. Many other students from a variety of year levels also entered this competition and they recently received their participation certificates at assembly. It is so important to take risks and give new opportunities a go!

Ms Louise Sayar
Head of Junior School