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Junior School News

From the Head of Junior School

Welcome to what promises to be a productive and exciting year in Junior School. We commenced the year with 356 students which includes 60 new students and 34 new families. We look forward to getting to know our new students and families. I would like to take the opportunity to thank each of our Junior School parents entrusting us with the care and education of your children. I am thankful that we have such a dedicated team who take this responsibility very seriously. Every staff member, whether they are teachers, administrators or support staff know that we are working with a common purpose, to ensure that every student is safe, physically and emotionally, and that they are afforded the very best opportunities to learn.   

 

Mr Donald Thompson

Head of Junior School

Sun Protection

 

While the weather of the past few days has been unusual, it is normal for the first few weeks of school to be hot. Effective sun protection practices are essential. At school, students must wear their school caps or hats whenever outside. We ask that all students apply sunscreen before school and that they have their own supply that they keep at school or in their school bag. Classroom teachers remind children to reapply their sunscreen before recess and lunch breaks. There is also a supply of sunscreen at Junior School Reception, in the Preparatory Courtyard, in the Thomas Building Courtyard and Greenland.

 

In extremely hot weather students will be provided with activities inside the classrooms at recess and lunchtime and will not be permitted to play outside. All students must bring a substantial drink bottle to school. Every student is encouraged to have a drink in their classroom that they can access throughout the day.

Holiday Upgrades

Students will return to several upgrades in the Junior School this year. Over the Summer holiday break the classrooms and offices in Frew House were all painted. In the next set of holidays the carpet will be replaced and new window furnishings fitted. Frew House is a lovely historic building and it is great to see it refreshed for the new year. Carpet has also been replaced in the Preparatory classes, Year One and HQ with the remainder of the J Block ground floor classes to be recarpeted in the Term One break. The Preparatory and Year One classes will also have new Whiteboards, Interactive Whiteboards and associated cabinetry fitted in the Semester One holiday break. 

Staff Changes

Over the break, we have had some changes in Junior School staff for 2020. Ms Juergens returns from Maternity Leave to teach Year Two. We also welcome two new teachers to the school in Mrs Catherine Stagg and Mrs Alnwar Almera. Mrs Stagg begins a 12-month contract teaching Drama while Mrs Rice is on Maternity Leave. Mrs Stagg comes to us having most recently taught at Ruyton Girls School in Melbourne. Madame Almera will be teaching French in Junior School. She comes to us from Minaret College in Melbourne.

Parking and Student Pick Up

Student pick up in the afternoon is a topic that is regularly visited in my discussions with staff and parents. The timetable change implemented last year was successful in reducing some of the traffic congestion on MacKenzie Street but it is still very busy. I ask all parents who are picking students up by car to adhere to the parking restrictions that are in place of an afternoon. It is of particular concern in the direct vicinity of the MacKenzie Street gate. City of Bendigo Parking Inspectors visit regularly to ensure compliance but there are still times when the parking situation can be frustrating for parents and quite dangerous for students. The main aspects of concern are people parking in the bays directly alongside the MacKenzie Street entrance as these bays are for pick up only, not for parking, and parents pulling up on the downhill side of MacKenzie Street and calling students to run across the street to meet them. Parents have also been stopping in the middle of the road to drop students off or calling children from the sidewalk into the road. This not only hinders the traffic flow but is very dangerous as other cars are pulling in and out of the drop off zone. 

 

From time to time students are also walking down to Vine Street to be picked up; they must remain at the MacKenzie Street gate. To ensure the safety of our students and in the spirit of being good neighbours, we ask that parents do not use the parking bays adjacent to the neighbouring businesses. Parents are asked to support the school by parking in designated areas and insisting that their children wait at the MacKenzie Street Gate to be picked up correctly. 

Meet the Teacher

It was wonderful to see so many parents able to come along to the Junior School Meet the Teacher Evening this week.   The evening provided families with the opportunity to meet not only your classroom teacher but also our Specialist teachers.  Thank you to Paris Batters, President of Friends of Junior School for speaking about our parent group.  Friends of Junior School is a lovely way for families to be involved in the school community and make new connections along the way.  We appreciate parents making the time to come along to meet staff and other parents in this informal setting. 

 

Nut Allergies

As the new School Year begins it is an appropriate time to remind parents that we have children in Junior School who will suffer from a severe allergic reaction if they come into contact with peanuts or other nut based products, which can be fatal. They are also allergic to other nuts and a variety of other foods and need to have all contact with food closely monitored as some are even susceptible to reactions from skin contact with the foods. Consequently, we ask parents to assist us by being aware of this when sending food to school.

 

Please note that we cannot possibly check food items which are brought into the School or on buses or to other events. Parents of susceptible children need to understand this and to educate their child in the risks.

 

Specifically, we ask that children do not bring to school the following:

  • Peanuts or any sort of other mixed nuts
  • Peanut butter/ Nutella
  • Yoghurt with nuts
  • Peanut butter Muesli / Fruit bars
  • Cakes, muffins or cookies containing nuts
  • Tahini

 

We ask the children to wash their hands carefully after eating at recess, lunch or cooking sessions. You would assist us greatly by discussing this with your child about this and support us to keep all our students safe at school.

 

All of the teachers in the School are aware of these students condition, and, along with their parents, we have established appropriate procedures. Naturally, we are keen for their life to be as normal as possible, just as it should be for your child.

 

Junior School Swimming Carnival

Girton Grammar Junior School Swimming Carnival

Friday 21st February

Bendigo East Swimming Pool

 

TRAVEL         

All students will be transported by bus to the Bendigo East Pool, leaving from the Vine Street entrance. The Carnival will be run in two parts.  Students in Years Three to Year Six will be departing for the pool at 9:00am. Students in Years One and Two will depart at 10:30am and Preparatory students will depart at 12:30pm.

 

LUNCH           

Friends of Junior School are running a sausage sizzle. For those who wish to purchase sausages, they are $2.00 each. If you wish to have a sausage for lunch, please order at Junior School Reception by Wednesday 19th February.  Students will be given wrist bands for their sausage order. Please feel free to order for family members attending the sports as well. If you are able to assist Friends of Junior School with the Sausage Sizzle in any way, please contact Junior School Reception or click on the volunteer link to choose the time that suits you.  https://volunteersignup.org/QH8T9

 

Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent Teacher interviews will occur in Junior School from Monday 17th February.  These interviews allow parents the opportunity to discuss any important academic, social or emotional matters. Interviews can be accessed from your Astra logon. They will be open from Monday 10th February. 

 

Student Messages

We understand there are always times when plans change throughout the day and you may need to get a message to your child.  If you do need a message passed on, we ask that you please do so by contacting Junior School Reception on 4408 5919 by 2:30pm.  This will ensure we have enough time to deliver the message to your child. 

 

Named Clothing

Parents are reminded that all student clothing, towels and other items need to be clearly marked with the student’s name. The one exception to this is the school bag. Please do not write your child’s name on the outside of the bag. This makes it too easy for a stranger to call the child by name, thus imposing a false sense of security and familiarity. It is best if the bag is named on the inside and has some identifying feature on the outside such as a key ring or ribbon.