Junior School Update

Year 6 Induction Ceremony 

The Year 6 Class of 2024 was inducted in a beautiful ceremony on Friday 16 February which saw our Co-Captains, Alicia N and Ariana F leading the Acknowledgement of Country, School Prayer and reciting a poem composed by Ariana. We look forward to a wonderful year of outstanding leadership from this talented cohort of students. 

Wellbeing Update 

Because it is in the primary school years that the foundations for lifelong emotional intelligence are established, the Heads of Junior School presented a brief talk at the Shelford Community Evening on supporting young people’s social-emotional capabilities to enhance their wellbeing and learning readiness. 

Some building blocks of social-emotional competence they explored include: 

• self-awareness, which is fostered through the recognition, naming and expression of feelings and understanding that there are degrees of feelings e.g. downhearted, sad, devastated 
• self-regulation – being able to manage feelings of stress and frustration in an emotionally intelligent way. This can be augmented with self-calming strategies, such as breathing exercises, and through mindfulness activities 
• building positive relationships through empathy and a sense of understanding about others' emotions – these are learned skills. Interpersonal skills are taught with a focus on things such as positive and respectful communication, showing consideration, active listening and factors like tone of voice, volume of voice, body language and facial expression   

Year 1,2 and Year 5 Buddies 

Last Thursday we had a fun session with our buddies. Our buddies arrived and we were given a creative challenge. We were asked to use tissue paper to make something as creative as we can. Some groups made dresses, others created landscapes and one group even made a cake! All our buddies and creations looked dazzling. Even better we had time to show off and tell everyone about our awesomely fabulous creations. As well as it being fun it was also messy, but it was totally worth it. This was only the second meeting with our buddies, so it was a good way to get to know them and work together.  

Hats Please

Please ensure your daughter stays sun smart and protected and always has a hat at school or in her bag. Thank you. 

Vicky Gemmell

Head of Junior School – Student Wellbeing and Development

Jacqui Sidaway

Head of Junior School – Teaching and Learning