Junior School News

From the Head of Junior School

What a fabulous day we had at the Junior School Cross Country last Friday.  We had 40 Year 8 students, parents and Junior School staff working hard to make the day the successful one that it was. A highlight for me was seeing the Year 8 students, as well as our Year 5 and 6 students, encouraging the students in Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 to complete the course. I thank Mr Doherty, Mr Robertson and Mrs Henery for their work in preparation for the day.

Inclusion

In Friday’s Assembly I spoke about one of our RULER Badges - Inclusion. We showed the students an animation that explained what inclusion means and why it is important. The video explained that inclusion means treating everyone with kindness and respect. It means accepting people for who they are and making sure everyone feels like they belong. It also explained that inclusion is not just about being kind to people who are like us, it's also about being kind to people who are different from us. 

I encouraged students to be mindful of all these things and to be inclusive in the classroom and in the playground.  Their invitations to play or be involved in a game could be the difference between another student having a good or a bad day. I encourage parents to continue these conversations at home.

Parking

In recent editions of eLink we have asked parents to obey the parking restrictions on MacKenzie St when they drop off or pick up students.  The excellent response to this request has meant that our students are in a much safer environment. However, it is imperative that parents or carers drive to the next available car park rather than parking closest to the MacKenzie St gate.  Your support with this is much appreciated.

If you are picking up your child in Vine St, please note that you are not permitted to park in the Disabled or Bus zones. 

Bendigo City Council has been alerted to our concerns and is sending parking inspectors to the School on a regular basis. A reminder that it is also illegal to park in any of the driveways opening onto MacKenzie St.

Mrs Viv Bath

Acting Head of Junior School

Cross Country

The Junior School Cross Country Carnival was held on Friday 26th May at Beischer Park in Strathdale. In almost perfect conditions, students from Preparatory through to Year 6 participated in the event with enthusiasm and vigour. They huffed and puffed their way over varying distances ranging from 1km through to 3km. It was wonderful to see so many parents, grandparents, and carers who came along to volunteer their time at checkpoints as well as supporting and encouraging students throughout the day. In addition, our students and staff were supported by a large group of Year 8 students from the Senior School. They were perfect role models for their junior counterparts and the carnival could not operate without them. A big thank you goes out to all involved in the day.

Results:

Prep:

Year 1:

Year 2:

9 year olds:

10 year olds:

11 year olds:

12/13 year olds:

The winning House was Jones House!

Performance Choir

On Friday 2nd June, the Performance Choir attended their first competition for the year.  Students have been preparing well under the watchful eye of Mrs Dusseljee in Term One and Mrs Begg in Term Two and supported by Mrs Moon on the piano. 

The competitions brought much excitement, and our students should be very proud of the way they conducted themselves and performed on stage at Ulumbarra Theatre.  Thank you to Mrs Begg, Mrs Moon, Mrs Bartlett, Mrs Milner and  Mr Gibbs who attended on the day to support our students.  A huge congratulations to the Performance Choir for achieving GOLD in their section.  They now look forward to performing at the Victorian Schools Music Festival and South Street Competitions next term. 

Advanced Band Visit to Preschool

On Wednesday afternoon, the Junior Advanced Band performed for the staff and kids of the Bendigo Pre-school in Myrtle Street. It was great to go back there and perform after not being able to the past three years due to lockdowns and COVID restrictions. 

Girton students performed two pieces of music and also presented demonstrations of their instruments. The pre-school audience was mesmerised. 

For the final piece of music, the pre-school children were invited to stand next to their favourite instrument which tended to be the trumpet and flute. It must have been Mr Normington's performance of the Bluey theme song that got them hooked.

Our Girton students presented themselves beautifully and performed their music with a great sound. It was good fun and we look forward to doing it again soon.

National Simultaneous Storytime

On Wednesday 24th May all students from Prep to Year 6 gathered in the Junior School Library at 11am.  They listened to the story ‘The Speedy Sloth’ as part of the National Simultaneous Storytime Event.

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. 

Now in its 23rd successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the National Curriculum for Foundation to Year 6.

Year Two Gym Program

Year 2 students have completed their five-week program at Jet’s Gymnasium as part of the physical education syllabus. The Gymnastics Program provides students with exercises in flexibility, strength, and teamwork activities.  The program increases coordination and encourages proprioceptive awareness.  A longstanding part of our physical education program, each week students looked forward to the sessions and developing their skills. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Year Four Special Guest

On Thursday, 4M had a visit from Detective Senior Sergeant John Dalton and his partner “Constable Jimmy Dalton”.  They were very interested to listen to Constable Jimmy Dalton explain why it is important to wear a hi-vis vest and to have a close look at the ID badge. He even brought his black book out and showed them where he writes his notes and evidence when trying to solve a case.  

The children gained new knowledge about DNA, the 100 different roles in the Police Force, what breed of dogs make good police dogs, and the important skills a detective needs. Then they helped solve the mystery of Mrs Fisher’s missing drink bottle. 

The class walked Detective Senior Sergeant Dalton to  his car and some were surprised to see he drives a normal car... until Constable Jimmy Dalton opened the car door and to their surprise turned on the lights and the siren and showed them the radio. The car wasn’t just a normal car after all. 

Thanks for the visit and presentation. 

Year Five Exploring Literary Theme in Mulga Bill's Bicycle

The students of 5M have been learning that in literature, the theme is the ‘big idea’ or ‘life lesson’ the author wants the reader to grasp.

To deepen their knowledge of this device, the class read Banjo Paterson’s classic poem, ‘Mulga Bill’s Bicycle’. This poem was written at the height of the cycling craze in 1896 and, as such, tied in with our Humanities work on the colonial years of Australia, pre-Federation. 

Here are some of the ideas the class shared about their thoughts around the theme of the poem:

I think the theme of the story is to never boast because in the story Mulga Bill said he could do anything. Although, when he tried to ride the penny-farthing bike he failed and made a fool of himself.

Sean Morse (5 Frew)

I think the theme of Mulga Bill's Bicycle is don't jump into the heat when you're not ready for it. I think this is because he thought he could just jump on his bicycle and it would be easy to ride and then guess what happened.... he flew into the creek and wasted his money on a bike he would never use again.

Henry Cooney (5 Jenkin)

I think the theme of the story is don’t boast or you’ll look like a fool, because in the story Mulga Bill boasted and then looked like a fool when he fell in the creek. I think instead he should have just taken things one step at time. I also think he shouldn’t have followed the crowd and he should have been an individual. I think Mulga Bill was very arrogant and that was his main problem.

Gracie Seipolt (5 Riley)

I think the theme of the story is take your time with things because Mulga Bill got hurt because he didn't learn how to ride. I think he should've taken his time to learn how to ride the penny farthing.

Lilly Hetherington (5 Riley)

I think the theme of the story is don't get cocky or boastful because it shows in the story that Mulga Bill boasted that he would ride the penny farthing easily, but then he couldn't ride it and he crashed it into Dead Mans Creek. I think he should've practised his riding before he went boasting about it. 

Noah Kroschel (5 Jones)

I think the theme of the story is take things slowly and practice. Otherwise, you will have an accident and badly hurt yourself. If he had practiced, he would have had a better chance of not falling off his bike.

Poppy Crameri (5 Frew)

I think the theme of the story is don't boast too much because in the story Mulga Bill didn't know how to ride a bicycle. However, he still told the shopkeeper that he knew how to do everything in the world, including riding. When the creek came in his way he made a complete fool of himself.

Aisha Prabhu Dessai (5 Jones)

I think the theme of the story is don’t be a boaster because it will probably won’t go well like Mulga Bill landing in the creek. So the lesson is that you should never be a boaster.

Allegra Krelle (5 Aherne)

I think the theme of the story is don't be a show-off because Mulga Bill was a show-off and he ended up in Dead Man’s Creek with his penny farthing and got hurt. He learnt his lesson to not be a show-off.

Priya Lewis (5 Jenkin)

I think the theme of the story is that you shouldn't get too cocky because you can get hurt, like in the story. Mulga Bill said he can do everything including riding, but he couldn't. When he boasted to the shopkeeper, he rode the bike and then fell in the creek. I think he should have done stuff step by step and he could have avoided falling off.

Steel Austin (5 Millward)

I think the theme of the story is, don't be too cocky because in Mulga Bill’s Bicycle he boasted a lot and ended up crashing in the creek. He ended up wasting a lot of money on the Penny farthing.

Milan Shetty (5 Jenkin)

I think the theme of the story is not to boast about things you can’t do because in the story Mulga Bill did that and got hurt. If he did not do that he would be able to ride a bike.

Digby Snell (5 Riley)

There are lots of important morals in this story. One that is really hidden between the lines is to not follow everyone else and be your own person because in the story Mulga Bill followed a craze and tried to be like everyone else. He thought that if he had a bicycle he would be cooler but then he got cocky and started boasting and built his confidence. He  then ended up in a creek. The moral of the story is to not follow what other people do, start your own crazes. Another moral is don't boast. Mulga Bill boasted and said he could cycle any track, anywhere in the world. He built up others' confidence and built up his and ended up embarrassing himself. I think, instead, just take things step by step and be humble and honest. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Maybe you might start your own craze like falling in the creek!

Alice McIntosh (5 Frew)

I think the theme of the story is to always practice before you tell everybody you can do it, because if you try and fail in front of everyone, you will make a fool of yourself. Like in the story Mulga Bill said he could ride a Penny farthing, but in the end he fell in the creek. 

Mikaela Hall (5 Jones)

There are many life lessons built into the story and this is the only one I'm about to explain. One theme of the story is take things slowly. Don't rush ahead like Mulga and think you can easily do everything. Mulga Bill thought he was the best and needed no practice which ended badly, and he hurt himself. He also should not have boasted because people will never believe him or want to be friends with him. It would also make him feel embarrassed. Mulga should have listened to the questions from the person he bought the bicycle from, but he didn't.

In conclusion, be yourself, don't follow trends all the time and take all the time you need to become ready.

Zoro Tamangani (5 Aherne)

BASS Band

The BASS Band had their debut performance for an enthusiastic audience of Preparatory D and Preparatory M classes on 24th May. The Band, most of whom began learning at the beginning of the 2023 school year, played a selection of nursery rhymes for the younger students that included Mary Had a Little Lamb, Old MacDonald, and Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

Murphy

The Junior School will be celebrating Murphy turning one on Wednesday June 7th.  We have some exciting activities planned for the Junior School to celebrate. 

Student Artworks

Ruler

The RULER approach consists of four anchors. These core tools are the Charter, Mood Meter, Meta-Moment and Blueprint.

Class Charter 

At the beginning of the year, each Junior School classroom creates a Class Charter. The Class Charter builds and sustains a positive emotional climate by creating agreed-upon norms for how people want to feel, as well as how they can help each other to experience those feelings. These Charters are shared with specialist teachers and are referred to in classrooms frequently.

Mood Meter

The Mood Meter enhances self and social awareness. This tool supports the development of extensive emotional vocabulary and a range of emotions to shift, maintain or enhance emotions.

The Meta-Moment

A Meta-Moment is a strategy available for students which helps them to regulate their emotions. As required, students may choose an appropriate strategy to achieve success. A Meta-Moment enables all participants to manage a response when triggered. 

The Blueprint

The Blueprint helps students and educators manage conflict. It is a tool used to help develop empathy and consider a disagreement from another person’s perspective. The Blueprint helps people work together to identify healthy solutions to conflicts.