Junior School

Holy Week and Easter

In my neighbourhood, several of the local Christian congregations gather for the Stations of the Cross. We walk the streets together – usually a group of around 30 people – and mark the sadly violent pilgrimage of Jesus to Golgotha in different locations around the neighbourhood: a park where people sleep rough; a refuge; a house where a person died unnoticed. Although we all commemorate the same Jesus who was crucified on Good Friday, I am struck by how awkward I sometimes feel at the ‘different’ language used by the Ministers and Pastors of the ‘other’ congregations, and wonder what these folks think of our Priest’s language and vestments. We are all Christians! We are all from the same neighbourhood! And yet, it is so easy to mark people as ‘us’ and ‘other’, even when we are all gathered with the same intention, let alone if there were serious differences among us.

There are so many ways to think about, talk about, sing about, and wonder about the mysteries of Holy Week and Easter. I hope and pray that I may never be so arrogant as to think the way I was raised to mark these events is the only way, the right way. I hope and pray that the Holy Spirit speaks to and through people of all faiths and of no faith, and that when I meet them, I will be receptive to my eyes, my ears and my heart being opened.

You might remember that we observed last Easter during the first COVID-19 lockdown. I have fond memories of having an Easter Liturgy with my family at my dining table! So much has happened between then and now. May this Easter be a truly blessed time for you and your family however you observe it, and may the mystery of the risen Lord cast a beautiful light over your school holiday period.

God Bless!

Ben Munday

Director of Junior School

Strengths Based Initiative

This term, the Junior School has implemented a strengths-based approach as part of our Wellbeing program. Students have been introduced to the idea that everyone has a range of character strengths, or put simply ‘good qualities,’ with each person possessing some of these strengths to a greater extent than others.

Boys surveyed their peers, families, and wider communities to find out what strengths others saw in them and reflected on their findings and own self perceptions to identify their top three character strengths. It was no surprise to the teachers to see that some of the most identified strengths amongst our boys were humour, zest, kindness, curiosity, and fairness.

Now that each student knows their character strengths, we will build on them to help our students be the best version of themselves. Teachers will refer to strengths in awards, reports, and commendations with the aim of helping boys see evidence of their strength in action. Each classroom in Year 5 and Year 6 has a display showcasing the students' self-identified strengths.

The idea of character strengths and the benefits of their identification and use within education was a key focus of the IPSHA Wellbeing Group in 2020. Relevant staff attended a professional development session run by Robert Ritchie, an industry leader in pastoral care, wellbeing, and positive psychology. The session reiterated the importance of using character strengths to promote positive relationships, support individual learning needs and create routines that foster strengths.

We look forward to continuing to work with the boys in the Junior School to nurture their strengths as the year goes on.

“My top three character strengths are leadership, zest and humour. It felt brilliant to hear my friends and family say that I was zestful. Now I know this about myself, I am able be confident in my strengths and how I best use them every day.” - Joseph Showah Year 5

“My top three character strengths are hope, perseverance and zest. It felt wonderful to hear my friends and family say I was hopeful. Now I know this about myself, I can use these strengths in everyday life and understand what these strengths mean to me and to others.” - Jack Hannan Year 5

Holly Grant

Junior School Teacher and Wellbeing Leader

Lenten Art Competition 2021

Throughout the Lenten season, the Junior School have been busy with their fundraising and fun runs as well as competing in the annual Lenten Art Competition. It is wonderful to see the generosity of those in our school community during this time.

Thank you to all the boys who participated in this year’s art competition - it was incredible to see the high standard of work produced with over 140 entries! I would also like thank Mr Davis and Mr Munday who assisted with the judging.

Congratulations to the following boys who placed in this year’s competition:

Year 6

1st – Zavier Bazouni

Title: Christ Carrying the Cross

“I chose this piece because it reminds me when Jesus had to carry the Cross”.

2nd – Joshua Raheb

Title: The Grace of Christ

“I chose this piece because it portrays to me that when Jesus was Crucified, he didn’t hesitate or doubt himself, but accepted the Cross in a way of grace because he knew that God had a plan for Him”.

3rd – Jackson Tan

Title: Giving up Something

“I chose this piece because in Lent you give up something that is important to you. Something that means something to you. The dove is the thing you give up and the hands letting go of the important thing you love. It stands out from everything. The brightest above all”.

Year 5

1st – Tyson Khoury

Title: The Table of the Lord

“Our celebration of the Holy Communion comes from when Jesus gave His Disciples bread and wine at the Last Supper “do this in memory of me” as a reminder of His sacrifice”.

2nd – Dimitri Staveris

Title: Son Rise

“I chose to create this piece of art because it represents my favourite part of Lent. The Cross represents Jesus when he died for us. The sunrise represents him rising from the dead. The stones remind us that he resisted many temptations in the 40 days before he died”.

3rd – Luca Bucciarelli

Title: unnamed

“It shows how Jesus fasted in the desert”.

There were so many fantastic entries that we have decided to include some honourable mentions.

Congratulations to: