Junior Journeys

An Eventful Term

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There has been so much happening in the Junior School this term. Thank you to our families for supporting us with the events, activities and excursions.

Year 5 IBPYP Exhibition

On Wednesday 2 November our Year 5 students presented their learning related to an inquiry into The human body is composed of interdependent structures that work to sustain life to families and friends of our community.

This culminating experience was preceded by seven weeks where students were engaged in a collaborative, transdisciplinary inquiry process, which required them to identify questions, research and investigate, and represent their knowledge, understandings and solutions to support the health of a specific body system.

The genuine excitement, confidence and enthusiasm of our students to engage in discussions with adults and children demonstrated the value and importance of the IBPYP underpinning philosophy and principles, and in particular the learner profile.

The range of displays and models this year was outstanding, clearly indicating the children’s creativity. We were delighted to receive so much positive feedback about the students’ ability to communicate their understandings and reflections, as well as the value of the learning process leading up to the exhibition.

This year, one of our Senior teachers decided to come and have a look. In his words, he was ‘blown away’ with the depth of knowledge of our students in being able to communicate complex aspects of how the various body systems connect and function. As a result, he brought his Year 10 Science students to visit the following day – our Year 5 students were so excited about this.

Again, the feedback from the students was one of incredulity, with many articulating that they were only learning about some of these aspects in Year 10.

Whilst I am immensely proud of the students, I would like to acknowledge the many teachers and staff who supported the students in a plethora of ways. In particular, Mrs Irena Hollis, Mr Shane Murphy, Mr Ryan Stor and Mr Simon Munn are to be congratulated for their outstanding support and positive influence to ensure each student had the opportunity to flourish and improve in a range of areas. 

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French Assembly and French Day

C’est magnifique! Congratulations to all our children for their magnificent performances with their speaking and singing in French at our French Assembly last week. Each year I am astounded with the high quality of our French speaking children. With all children and staff dressed in ‘French’ attire, it was an exciting and joyful experience.

All lessons throughout the day had a ‘touch of French’ to it, and we were all encouraged to take risks with our language speaking and learning.

I would like to particularly acknowledge Madame Belinda Roberts and Madame Ellen Bailey for their passion for language learning and their work with our talented students.

Years 3-5 students are looking forward to the Petanqué Competition which will continue to take place over a number of lunch times in the Rose Garden.

Bon chance enfants!

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Mini Musos Concert

It was another highly entertaining concert, led so ably by our music staff, and in particular, Ms Loretta Bowshall and Mrs Rebecca Pfitzner, who continue to motivate and inspire our children and develop their musical capabilities by providing a range of learning opportunities.

Seeing our youngest children perform certainly puts a smile on our faces! The IBPYP attitudes were in abundance as the children demonstrated commitment, confidence, cooperation, enthusiasm and respect as they sang, clapped, danced, moved and grooved, and played instruments. The finale with all the children was an added highlight.

Congratulations also to the Year 5 Music Leaders who compered and supported this music event.

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R-12 Art Exhibition

The musical acts always provide a festive feel to the evening, with a range of students of different ages performing, and really adding to the fusion of Art and Music. Thank you to our skilled and dedicated music staff.

This annual event provides a wonderful opportunity to showcase the creativity, skills and talents across the College, showing the progression from our youngest children to our more experienced artists and designers. The students are fortunate to have a breadth of talented teachers who work hard to inspire students and develop skills and abilities exploring a range of mediums, techniques and styles.

I would like to thank Mr Ryan Stor and Mrs Pauline Filosi for their passion for the Junior School Visual Arts Programme and for the way in which they continually encourage students to challenge themselves and look at things from different perspectives.

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Induction Day

All students from Reception to Year 8 have been placed in their 2017 class for Induction Day on Friday 18 November, 2016. I would like to thank the Junior School staff for the many hours they have spent to ensure well balanced classes. As indicated in previous communication, a balance of gender, academic abilities, and behavioural, social and emotional considerations were taken into account.

I thank you as parents for your support in discussing with your child the importance of change, new teachers, new class mates and the opportunities this provides. The world in which we live is dynamic, with rapid changes taking place and as such, we must ensure our children develop strategies to cope successfully with change and embrace new possibilities with optimism and an open mind.

Children often pick up on how their parents are feeling; if you are anxious, they are also likely to be anxious. I hope that you would be communicating with your child(ren) that you believe they are capable and competent, and as there are only two classes, they will know many children in their new class from this year and for most children, from previous years. They can also look forward to making new friends, some who will be new to the College, and others that they may not have been in a class with yet.

As it is a casual clothes day, please ensure your child has covered shoulders, a hat and appropriate foot wear for fitness and PE activities. 

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Congratulations

Sage Logan was recently presented with a Play Station by Pat the Dog as part of our Commonwealth Bank School Banking Programme. Sage won the prize as part of the Term 3 “Prize lights” campaign where children who made a minimum of three School Banking deposits were entered into a draw to win the prize. Congratulations Sage!

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Warmer Weather

I think it is slowly warming up! Please ensure your child has a hat and drink bottle each day. Applying sun screen to your child’s face in the morning is a positive habit that your child may continue into the future, certainly worth thinking about.

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Dates to Remember

Please make sure you mark the following dates in your diary. 

Julie Hann
Assistant Principal
Head of Junior School