From the Head of Junior School

It is probably noticeable in every age group and year level throughout the school, but I certainly notice the leap forward in learning and maturity that every class experiences in the Junior School during Term One. The process of moving up a grade, establishing new routines in the classroom, working incrementally with more challenging material, growing physically, mentally and emotionally; these all combine to provide small (or in some cases, large) leaps forward for students in their learning. As parents you may have noticed their progress when you view your children’s work samples on SEQTA or when speaking with your child or their teacher at the Parent/Teacher Interviews. A lot happens in Term One for students, and it is good for us to acknowledge that progress occurs in multiple ways which might include:

Recognising an elevation in aspects of their reading or writing
Sustained effort in particular tasks
Great interest in particular topic, it is wonderful when you can see something has strongly resonated with your child
Achievement of a specific goal they had set, or collectively you have worked towards together
Broadened their exposure to different topics, perhaps choosing different books to read or extension activities
Forming new connections with friends or welcoming a new student into their friendships
Joining a new activity, or starting to learn a new instrument

Once we start identifying all the small, and sometimes large, areas of progress for children it adds up to a significant amount of growth, particularly within a term. If you haven’t done so already, I would encourage families to take a moment with your child/children to identify those areas of progress and growth. Not only will this provide a wonderfully positive feedback loop of acknowledgement to children that they are making progress, but it will also consolidate the core areas of development within their own minds. For parents who may have done this previously with their children, you would well know that initially children might find it difficult to identify their own areas of progress and growth, as we all do at times, but with some helpful prompting from us they will begin to find many examples of their own growth and development. Enjoy! It’s a lovely conversation to have. I’ve included some excerpts from short conversations I’ve held with students over the past two days. The question topic was – “What have you found interesting to learn about this Term?” and “What do you feel you have improved in this term?”

“Think Mentals in Maths was really hard at first but I’ve got better at it and now I really enjoy them”.

“In Science, the tug-of-war experiment where we tested different types of friction was really interesting, like the gloves and detergent vs just our hands.”

“I’ve learnt a lot about our native plants, I can name lots of plants at school and at home”

“The electricity unit was really fun, and thinking about all the different forms of sustainable energy that we can use in our homes was interesting”.

“I thought writing poems was going to be really hard, but it was easy once we knew a few different styles to write them with”

Upcoming Events and Activities

P&F Colour Run

We are eagerly looking forward to this event next Wednesday 6 April. Enjoying a run around an obstacle course filled with colour and water surprises at every turn will be the perfect way to celebrate the final week of term together. Fundraising for this event will support the Albany Youth Association and Ronald McDonald House. More information around event specifics and items of clothing to wear will be sent to families. The Junior School classes will have their Colour Run fun at the end of the day on Wednesday.

Easter Hat Parade / Grandparents' Day – Junior School Assembly

To conclude the week, and wish everyone a wonderful Easter, the ECC will hold their Easter Hat Parade on Thursday 7 April. This will be a slightly different to previous parades as we are not yet able to have families attend the campus to view the occasion as we usually would. Instead, each class will be filmed as they don their Easter Hats and parade around. A video package will be compiled and released for families to view on Friday 8 April at 2.00pm. This video will be a special Junior School Assembly celebrating the Easter Hat Parade, Grandparents' Day tributes, Merit Award certificates and final House points for Term One.

Horizons registration for Term Two

After a successful launch to the Horizons programme in Term One, registrations for Term Two activities have been sent to families. The activities on offer for Term Two are:

ECC

Coding for Kids, Wednesday afternoon

Students will learn the coding fundamentals (stepped commands and block coding) to use Bee Bots and Sphero bots, also the online coding programme Tynker.

Clever Creations, Wednesday afternoon

Students will explore their creativity through Art and Maker style tasks.

Crafty Kids, Thursday afternoon

Students will be introduced to a range of craft activities including sewing, crocheting, origami and weaving.

Years Three to Six

Dance, Wednesday afternoon

Students will learn contemporary dance to age-appropriate songs.

Mandarin, Wednesday afternoon

Students have the opportunity to learn Mandarin (Chinese) with the introduction of common words, phrases and characters together with the cultural aspects of China including children’s game play, arts and ceremonial activities.

Children’s University, Wednesday afternoon

This activity is an online learning opportunity for Junior School students to engage in a new activity each week selected from the Children’s University web page.

Orienteering, Wednesday afternoon

This activity combines the skills of map reading, strategy and teamwork with fitness and fun. Students will learn how to navigate around set orienteering courses on-campus in small groups.

Technology – Thursday afternoon

Students will learn the coding fundamentals and operational skills for Sphero bots, and Tello drones.

School Sport

Running Club, Monday morning

A Running Club will also be offered for Junior School students to participate in for the fun of exercising with friends and building aerobic fitness. The Running Club will operate on Monday mornings from 8.00am to 8.30am and is open to students from Pre-Primary to Year Six.

Road Closure for Final Week of Term

The main entrance road to the School will be closed for Week 10, Term One as the surface will be upgraded in readiness for the start of Term Two. This will require changes to the way we access the campus. Please use the Multi-Purpose Sport Complex (Gym) entrance. Please note the following changes to our regular traffic operations, of particular note is the bolded information for ECC parking:

The Gym carpark (usually a set down and pick up and parking zone) will be used for bus pick up and drop off only. This area will be closed to cars.
Parking for ECC parents will be in the existing staff parking adjacent to the Middle School play area with the climbing ‘spider’ and the bridge/leaf deck.
Parking for all other parents will be in the existing student parking area.
Student parking will be moved and students advised of the new area.
Signage will be installed to indicate these changes.

Warmest regards, and appreciation,

Mr Ken Raven | Head of Junior School

Canteen News

Week Ten Specials

Daily Specials: