Junior School

Laidlaw House Service

Congratulations to Laidlaw House on a commendable House Service on Monday.  The theme of compassion was well illustrated via poems, readings, plays and songs.  The 2025 Senior Campus Laidlaw House Captains Olivia Read and Jock Nicholls spoke about the importance of compassion and what it can look like.  Rev. Peter Cook told us about his recent experience showing compassion for injured wildlife.

Laidlaw House will host a ‘Crazy Hair Day’ on Friday, 8 November. Students are asked to bring a gold coin donation. At lunch, icy poles, jelly, and slices will be for sale. All funds will be donated to the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child. 

Spotlight On Myrniong Learning

Year 1 - In InitiaLit, we have been learning about prefixes and have used the prefix -un, added to base words to make new words.  It is unbelievable how unreal they are at adding prefixes! 

Year 5 - We have commenced Literature Circles during Literacy.  Their circles are formed based on the book the students want to read.  Each circle has a different book to read. Each person in the circle has a different role e.g. predictor, summariser, connector. The circle meets at the same time each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss the selected reading in that time.  Every member must have time to speak and contribute to the conversations.  Teamwork is vital as it is expected that every member must come prepared with his or her notes.  The idea behind Literature Circles is to help each other build understanding around the text.

Some thoughts about the Literature Circles from some Year 5 students:

Theo – “Having choice allows us to choose according to our interests.  It is fun.”

Tommy – “The circles are good.  I like being with new people and discussing our ideas.”

Johnny – “Interesting to have a selection but not free range.  The Circles work in a team and allow us to learn the different roles of each member.”

Adelaide – “It is fun.  You get to choose different books and roles.”

2024 Uniting Church Christmas Hamper Appeal

The Junior School supports our local Uniting Church Christmas Food Appeal each year. It is a beautiful opportunity for our learning community to assist those less fortunate in our Hamilton community. The following items have been requested to enable the Uniting Church volunteers to put together Christmas Hampers:

• tinned ham
• tinned vegetables
• tinned fruit
• Long life custard
• Long-life juice (no sugar added if possible)
• shortbread /chocolate biscuits
• chocolates
• savoury biscuits/rice crackers
• tea/coffee
• long life milk

Collection boxes will be in classes and the Early Learning Centre from the start of Week 5. We aim to deliver all donations to the Uniting Church on the day of our Junior School Nativity Service - Tuesday, 26 November.

Junior School Orientation Day 2025

On Thursday, 7 November, our ELC 4 to Year 6 students will step up to their 2025-year levels and meet their new teachers.  Our Year 6 students will spend the full day at the Senior Campus for the 2025 Year 7 Orientation Day.

Student Diary Art Competition

The Melbourne Cup long weekend might be a good opportunity for ELC 4 to Year 5 students to get out their colouring equipment and put pencil and pen to paper for the 2025 Student Diary Art Competition. A number of students have handed in submissions for the ‘Under The Sea’ theme. We will select two pieces for the 2025 Prep to Year 3 and the Year 4 to Year 6 student diaries. The competition closes next Friday, 8 November. 

Apsmo Mathematics Results

Congratulations to the following students, who placed first in this year’s APSMO (Australasian Problem-Solving Mathematical Olympiad) competitions. 

Maths Olympiad (Year 6)

Equal 1st - Fred Nagorcka and Hugo Toma

3rd - Poppy Edgar

Maths Games (Year 5 and 4)

1st - Alex Monsbourgh

2nd - Livvy Bell

Equal 3rd – Ed Whinney and Hugo Cameron

Maths Explorer (Year 3)

1st- Will Brown

Equal 2nd Chelsea Pickford and George Whinney

Office Closure / Pupil Free Day

Please note that the Junior School will be closed on Monday, 4 November, and Tuesday, 5 November, for the Melbourne Cup exeat weekend.

The Office will reopen at 8:30 am Wednesday 6 November.