Primary Happenings

Step Into Prep Begins

Jo Bryant, Head of Junior Primary & Operations

I’m not sure about you, but the thought of walking into a large group of unfamiliar people ranks fairly high on my list of daunting experiences. Yet each year, I am amazed by the confidence and resilience of our four and five-year-olds as they arrive for their very first Step Into Prep session with smiles on their faces and very little fuss.

There is something special about these mornings. We have the privilege of meeting our future students, welcoming them into classrooms, and providing opportunities for them to learn, play and begin forming friendships. At the same time, we start building connections with families as they commence or continue their Donvale journey.

These sessions are made possible by an incredible staff team who willingly navigate disrupted timetables, changing routines and countless behind-the-scenes details to ensure every family experiences the warmth and care of the Donvale community. 

With four sessions still to come, we look forward to continuing these connections before our newest students are formed into class groups and begin their 13-year journey of learning what it means to be made in God's image and for His special purposes.

Year 5 Leadership Incursion

Hannah Simpkins, Year 5 Team Leader

“It doesn’t take a badge to be a leader.”

This is a message we’ve been exploring with our Year 5 students this term as they prepare for their final year of primary school. We've been looking at examples of leadership throughout the Bible and considering what it means to lead in a way that reflects Jesus. Students are discovering that godly leadership isn't about titles or recognition, but about using our God given gifts to positively influence and serve others.

Last Friday, we were excited to welcome Burn Bright for their Superhero Leadership incursion! Students heard personal stories from the facilitators, participated in collaborative challenges and explored what it really means to lead well.

Throughout the session, students reflected on their own strengths and explored the importance of building trust, fostering positive friendships, making responsible decisions, showing resilience and serving others. These themes connected wonderfully with our discussions about biblical leadership.

We asked some of our students to share what they took away from the incursion:

“I learnt that good leaders think ‘we not me’. They make decisions not just based on what they want, but that will benefit everyone around them.”

“Good leaders collaborate well with everyone, not just their best friends.”

“Leaders should appreciate and celebrate others’ talents and differences.”

“Being a leader isn’t about being the boss, it is about being a positive influence in others’ lives.”

It was a fantastic opportunity for students to reflect on the leaders they are becoming. We look forward to seeing them continue to grow as they prepare to lead and serve our school community in 2027!