Welcome back from the winter holidays. The first semester of 2018 was extremely busy and productive in the Junior School. I would like to congratulate all the staff and students on their hard work and achievements over the first two terms.
In Semester 1, we commenced the introduction of our new consistent approach to teaching writing, Big Write. We will be continuing with this important development over the coming two terms and Mrs Gaspersic, Junior School English Leader, will be sharing more information with you about this later in the term. We also purchased a wide range of new English teaching resources and reading books, which students will begin to access this term.
Our new broader languages program made an excellent start, with Kindergarten and Year 1 students really enjoying their Mandarin studies and the Year 4 their new elective language classes in French, Mandarin or Japanese. Year 4 students led an excellent languages assembly at the end of Term 2, which really showcased their learning and achievements in language during the first semester. Thank you to the languages team for all their work in getting our new languages program up the blocks so successfully.
Our newly introduced Connect period after lunch each day began and has been a great success. It has been particularly wonderful to see our Year 6 students taking such an active role in co-leading the mixed age house groups each Tuesday. We had a strong focus on anti-bullying and positive relationship in Terms 1 and 2 and this will continue into Semester 2. At the end of Term 2, we celebrated Junior School students’ achievements in the co-curricular space during a special assembly It was exciting to see the wide range of experiences that students have engaged with and the enjoyment and benefits they have gained because of their participation.
Each term I write to parents from a particular year group and ask them for feedback about what is going well and what we can improve within the Junior School. In Semester 1, I sought feedback from parents with children in Years 4 and 6. The responses received are greatly appreciated and help me to further understand what is working well from a parent perspective as well as highlighting opportunities for further improvement. These may be things we address immediately, feed into the Junior School Annual Development Plan or matters I can follow up on with other leaders within the School. Please be assured that all feedback provided, formally and informally, is very valuable and is always carefully considered and explored further. I will continue with this termly request for feedback from parents with children in a particular year group but would encourage any parents who have concerns or feedback to contact me at any time. I am more than happy to meet with parents, to talk on the telephone or to review communication by email.
Semester 2 is set to be equally busy with lots of wonderful learning opportunities planned for students throughout the Junior School. I will endeavour to keep you informed of these through the fortnightly newsletter. We welcome back to school class teachers Mrs Jane Cole and Mrs Kellee Edwards as well as extending a warm welcome to Mrs Andrew Salmond who has joined us this semester teaching Kindergarten Green.
Please can I ask for your continued support with high standards of school uniform by ensuring that your child is wearing the full, correct uniform every day and taking pride in the way in which they wear it. A reminder that students travelling to and from school during Terms 2 and 3 in sports uniform are required to wear the track pants and jacket and not permitted to travel in shorts and sports shirt. A reminder that Junior School students are not allowed to be at school unsupervised before 8.30am and that if you need to drop your child off before this time they should be booked into Camp Australia’s before school care. Similarly students should be collected promptly from school at the end of the school day unless they are involved in an organised activity. Where parents need a later collection time, students should be booked into Camp Australia’s after school care. Students in Year 5 and 6 are permitted to utilise NEXUS for quiet independent study, reading or homework until 5pm. This is a privilege granted on the expectation of excellent behaviour and the ability to be self-motivated and independent and if Year 5 and 6 students are not able to meet this expectation this privilege will be revoked.
Finally, can I encourage you to review the opportunities available in the school’s forthcoming two weeks Arts Beat event (Friday 17 August to Saturday 1 September). There is an array of wonderful experiences available to you and your child and you would encourage you to sign up and get involved. Please also can I encourage you to promote the event more widely within the community.
Thank you once again for your ongoing support and contribution to school life. I look forward to working in partnership with you for a successful second semester in the Junior School.
Mark Yeowell | Head of Junior School
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