Junior School Report
Message from the Director of Learning
- Ms. Alice Paget
Junior School students have had an exciting start to the semester beginning their new electives, Food Technology, Visual Arts, Drama and Digital Technology. They have also commenced their new sport for Term 3, where they will be competing against other schools in the Kingston District. The sports this term include Futsal, Hockey, Table Tennis and Basketball. Good luck to all the teams! There are many exciting opportunities and activities for our students to participate in this semester, such as, Science Week, Literacy/Numeracy Week, the Athletics Carnival, ICAS and the Australian Mathematics Competition, and our school musical, The Addams Family, which will take place in the last week of Term 3.
Junior School students have commenced their course selection process and will be making important decisions regarding their pathway through secondary school, including their elective and iCreate subject they will study in 2018. It was great to see some many students and parents at the Information Night on the 24th July. Studying a broad range of subjects, while in the junior school, will assist them in making informed decisions, based on their passions and interests. Year 8 students will need to ensure they have had discussions with the parents/guardians prior to their Course Counselling Interview on Thursday 9th August, regarding their elective choices for 2019. All Junior School students will also need to consider their iCreate choice, and complete their Course Selection Form with the 3 preferences. All the information regarding course selection and subject information can be downloaded from Compass under School Documentation.
I wish all the students in the junior school have a successful second semester. Keep striving for your personal best!
Cyberia Workshop
On the first day of Term 3, all Year 7 and 8 students were involved in a bullying and cyber safety program called ‘Cyberia’. This interactive theatre production addressed a range of adolescent issues including: cyber bullying, digital citizenship, appropriate social media usage, internet security, exclusion, internet addiction, online reputation and cyber safety. During this educational theatre, the Year 7s and 8s were transformed through the life of 2 teenagers, Ruby and Tim. Ruby loses her moral compass on blogs, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and MSN. She is instantly banished to "Cyberia". Tim is in self-imposed exile playing online games. When they indulge in cyber bullying and anti-social behaviour, it creates havoc in the real world. They suddenly realise they can't just press the "undo" button to retrieve their relationships, reputation, dignity and, most of all, their privacy.
The workshop by Brainstorm wove together true stories of Gen Y/Z's internet experiences. It posed questions about how the digital age can affect our brains, our humanity and our future. The students then had an opportunity to discuss the implications of the characters' behaviour and debrief about the compelling performance.
Ms. Alice Paget
Salaka
(African Drumming Workshop)
On Friday the 27th July, Year 7 and 8 students were fortunate enough to take part in a drumming performance by one of West Africa’s top cultural troupes, The Salaka Ensemble. “Salaka” means “Sharing” in the Ga language of Ghana. The students learnt a traditional African song to accompany the drumming rhythm and experienced African dancing. The folk tales and stories integrated throughout the show, gave students an informed perspective on village life and culture in Africa. It was a meaningful and valuable way for students to gain cultural sensitivity for their counterparts on the other side of the world.
Our Year 8 Junior School Captain, Gloria Kiden, has shared her experience of the workshop below:
Sami and Eazi are the best best Ghanaian drummers. During their performance, they showed us some of African dance moves and we all enjoyed it, it was fun having them around. They also taught us how to drum and the rhythm. In Africa, people party, dance and sing everyday. Having them around reminded me of the good times back in Africa. Sami pulled me out to dance and I just did the Akwaaba dance (Akwaaba means thank you in Twi language in Ghana). They taught us how to drum and all the teachers who were watching also went and did drumming, including Mr Lanarus and Mr Henderson. They gave us a paper that had their website to go on and practice our drumming. In case you want to check it out, go to africanbeat.com.au/practice. It’s a great website for those who want to become drummers in the future. I really enjoyed their performance and so did everyone else.
Gloria K
Junior School Captain