From the Head of Junior School

UNSW GERRIC Mini Certificate in Gifted Education

Strengthening teachers' pedagogical knowledge is key to the ongoing success of all students. In August, Ms Amanda Dodson (Assistant Head of Junior School) and Mrs Brooke Church (P-6 Learning Enhancement Coordinator) participated in a 2-day intensive course with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) to complete their Mini Certificate in Gifted Education (Mini-COGE). GERRIC’s (Gifted Education Research Resource and Information Centre) Mini-COGE is a practical course that supports teachers to enhance their differentiation skills and abilities to cater for all learners and particularly our high potential learners. Through completing this course, we aim to focus on how to further engage and support students to reach their potential through innovative curriculum design and differentiation. 

“Fulminare” – to flash with thunderbolts

In our pursuit to provide rich, rigorous and diverse educational opportunities at Kinross, this term we have commenced an enrichment opportunity for students in Year 4, 5 and 6 to explore Greek, Latin, and Roman languages. Our lessons aim to ‘fulminate’, meaning to excite passionate conversations centred around Greek and Roman mythologies. This program is for high potential learners and is attended by a small group of students under the guidance of Ms Amanda Dodson – Assistant Head of Junior School.

There are many benefits to learning classical mythology. Not only does it help students to understand and enrich their vocabulary, but it also provides a context to understand world history, art, literature, culture and philosophy. Our classical mythology program is available to selected students. The program will run during Semester 2, with the opportunity to sit the Pegasus Mythology Exam in early Term 1, 2025. 

Some of the key content points students are learning about include; Olden Times, Gaea and the Titans, Zeus and his Family, Minor gods and mortal descendants of Zeus. Students eagerly await their weekly lesson as they embrace this unique learning experience. 

Learning Enhancement Aide Celebration

Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week was the perfect time to celebrate the wonderful work teacher aides do within our school. We recognised the enthusiasm and dedication our Teachers Aides bring to the classroom with a celebration morning tea, bringing both Senior School and Junior School aides together to celebrate in the recognition and appreciation form their peers. 

https://www.australianteacheraide.com.au/faq/when-australian-teacher-aide-appreciation-week