Junior School

What an amazing start it has been to the year! We have really enjoyed welcoming lots of new families into our school community and we have loved getting to know students and parents alike. We are so pleased with the sense of peace, anticipation, fun and learning that has been prevalent in these first two weeks and we pray for God’s continued blessing on the school in this regard. We also thank him for our amazing teachers who craft engaging and dynamic learning experiences for the students.

We have already enjoyed lots of fun things such as the Geelong Cats players coming to run a Footy clinic, our PTFA Picnic and Information Evening as well as our first Junior School assembly. We’ve also had some Swimming sessions and we look forward to the Year 4-12 Swimming Carnival next week!

Just a reminder to ensure that students are in the correct uniform including correct school shoes, school shorts for Boys, school colour hair ties and studs or sleepers if wearing earrings.

I am especially impressed with our littlest cohort of students, the Preps! Miss Agnew and our learning support staff have commented on how wonderfully they have settled in and how delightful they are to teach. Preps, we think you’re great! Here are some photos of our 2023 Prep students:

Alex Burgess

Head of Junior School

Year 1

The Year 1 students have begun the school year on a positive note. They have enjoyed making new friends and demonstrated many creative ideas during class activities. Thank you to the many families who were able to attend the PTFA family picnic and join the class information session afterwards. We are very excited for a wonderful year of learning ahead.

Kerry Snook

Year 1 Teacher

Year 2

The Year 2 students have had a wonderful first week back at school as they have settled into their new classroom with their new teacher. They have welcomed new friends, enjoyed playing new games, and learning new skills. A particular highlight has been the visit from some Geelong Cats players on Tuesday! We are very excited about the year ahead!

Alissa Griffin

Year 2 Teacher

Year 3

The Year 3 students have kicked off the year by becoming Science explorers and have found examples of living and non-living specimens. They drew and labelled pictures of their specimens as well as applied reasoning as to why they thought it was living or not. Together,  we came up with a list of claims for things to be living. It's so wonderful hearing of their discoveries.

Carolyn McDonald

Year 3 Teacher

Year 4

The Year 4 class has hit the ground running with lots of in-class testing, Swimming and building weapons of mass destruction (not really). However, we have been having fun with our "Smooth Moves" unit in Science creating miniature Catapults. From all reports everyone is having a good time and there is some quality learning going on. It was really nice to meet up with families on Tuesday night and we really appreciated the positive feedback. This term we have commenced our Inquiry Unit "What Makes Me Special?" looking at the Biblical view as well as our family histories. It is our privilege to be part of your child's education and we look forward to what lies ahead.

Steve Griffin & Christie Stephen

Assistant Head of Junior School / Junior School Teacher

Year 5

Year 5 have had a wonderful start to the year, quickly settling into routines. A highlight of this week has been music, where they enjoyed playing guitar. 

We have also asked ourselves: "What makes a good team?" We worked in groups and as a whole class to create cup towers that could withstand the wind. Tyler summed up class sentiments by saying, "we've made a cup tower we are proud of". Well done team.

Tricia Iles

Year 5 Teacher

Year 6

Year 6 have started the year well. They've had lots of beginning of the year testing while learning the new routines of Year 6. They've taken over the Year 6 jobs with finesse and are confidently collecting Compost from all the classes and putting the flag up and down each week in amongst the many other responsibilities of Year 6. They've also managed to have some fun in amongst the testing by starting their Design Technology classes in Wood and Food, taking turns on the much loved Cloudsac and making origami Dogs for their Prep buddies. On the whole it's been a busy, productive and fun start to Year 6.

Coral Robertson

Year 6 Teacher

Junior School Art

This year we are blessed to be able to have our very own renovated Art room at the front area of the Junior School. For the first time the specialist teacher, Mrs Greene is looking forward to teaching students Art from Prep through to Year Six. Her main focus is for students to enjoy expressing themselves in this area of the Arts, while having a chance to really develop skills and abilities in Art processes during each weekly double session.

Here are some photos of our Art room beginning to take shape:

This year in Art, students are going to explore:

• Artists
• Art processes - in particular, different types of painting (water-colour, acrylic), drawing and pottery.
• Keeping an Art Journal and planning ideas
• Presenting/communicating/expressing their art in the form of displays, class presentations etc.

Watch this space. We can't wait to show you what the students create!

Andrea Greene

Junior School Art Teacher

Benefits of Family Reading Time

Connect With Your Kids

Like hot chocolate on a cold winter’s day, snuggling on comfy pillows with an adventurous book generates precious love.

Nurture Emotional Development

“Reading as a family lets you embark on a shared quest, prompting powerful conversations as you navigate turbulence, joy, and adventure together.”

Spark Endless Rewards

“A rich vocabulary, the ability to actively listen, deep critical thinking skills, a heightened capacity for empathy and compassion, the courage to express what they mean and mean what they express, and the urge to understand a world beyond their imagination and experience, these are the rewards of reading out loud.”

(Excerpts from an article by Nadia T & Scholastic Online)

Julie James

Learning Enhancement Coordinator