Learning Across the
Junior School

From the Assistant Principal: Head of Junior School

This week's liturgy, led by the Year 5 Blue class and the Year 2 Chapel Mass, focused on Social Justice, Truth and Peace. Justice isn't only about grand gestures; it's also reflected in the small acts of kindness we show daily. At Loreto, justice is one of our core values, guiding everything we do. The girls express how there are many ways to be a messenger of peace:

- Showing kindness through your words and actions.

- Taking the time to listen with patience and understanding.

- Sharing and including others.

- Resolving conflicts peacefully, using calm words, taking turns, and seeking compromises.

- Being honest and trustworthy.

- Leading by example and encouraging others to be peaceful.

Being a messenger of peace isn't always easy. Together, let's work to bring understanding, kindness, and harmony into our daily lives and those around us.

Inspired by Mary Ward and her followers, may we all strive to be advocates for justice and peace in everything we do as members of the Loreto community.

IPSHA Collegial Gatherings

Last week, our Junior School staff gathered at various independent schools across Adelaide as part of the Collegial Network. This network provided them with the unique opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions with peers, share effective classroom strategies and insights, gain fresh perspectives and new approaches to teaching and learning, and build a strong professional network within South Australia's Independent Schools. We look forward to continuing this enriching experience and are excited about the prospect of hosting in the future.

Pre-School - Year 4 Musical Showcase

This is just a reminder that our Preschool to Year 4 students will be performing a Musical Showcase on Thursday, September 5th, 2024, in the St Anne’s Performing Arts Centre. During these performances, our students will demonstrate a celebration of their classroom curriculum through music. This event will also provide an opportunity to showcase our instrumental immersion programs, our training choir and solo performances. Please note that the Pre-School students will only perform in the matinee at 1.45 pm.

To book tickets please visit the following Humanitix link: 2024 Preschool to Year 4 Musical Showcase | Humanitix

Please be mindful when booking tickets; only select the number you require, as tickets are limited, and we want to ensure everyone has the chance to see their child perform.

Performance Schedule:

Matinee: 5th September at 1.45 pm (Pre-School to Year 4)

Evening: 5th September at 6:30 pm (Reception to Year 4)

This showcase promises to be a delightful celebration of our students' hard work and creativity.

Ms Lisa Sexton

Assistant Principal: Head of Junior School

Book Week Wrap-up

Just like our Junior School, our Book Week celebrations also continue to grow!

45 wishing wands,

40 magical top hats,

35 mysterious masks,

40 fantastic fuzzy bookmarks,

hundreds of sparkly stars, pipe-cleaners,

Book Week Bingo,

...and too many other bits & bobs to mention... And that was just the lunchtime activities!

Our visiting Authors Allayne Webster and Tania Ingram were absolute stars and the engagement shown by all the students was a credit to the College. The Author in Residence Program funded by the Loreto Parents & Friends, is a very special opportunity for the girls and was a popular feature of Book Week in the Junior School.

As always, the students loved dressing up for our assembly and it was a fantastic opportunity to show the school community their love of literature and their learning around this year's CBCA Shortlist. After a quiet few years following restrictions, we were blown away by the number of parents who attended the assembly, and the students were very excited to be able to present to their families and special friends.

Our Micklegate Short Story Competition attracted quite a few brilliant tales, and we congratulate Delilah G, Helen C and Harriette C on their winning entries. Each student won a selection of books, a journal and a magical pen to keep up the great work.

Ms Julie Staley

Information Resources Coordinator R-12

Science Gets Real: Investigating Blood Splatters in the Lab

This week the Year 6 students attended the Senior School Labs. The lab sessions were designed to introduce the processes of creating, measuring and exploring blood splatters. They used a solution of water with a soluble red dye and gelatine to simulate blood.

The girls measured the results of dropping blood from various heights and by varying the angle of the surface from 0 degrees to 30 and 70 degrees. They also examined any variations between running and walking samples. They discussed the formal names of blood splatters and saw an example of LUMINOL, used to detect microscopic droplets in a crime scene. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves while developing collaborative skills, following instructions, hypothesising, testing and classifying.

Ms Annelies Roe and Mrs Amanda Smith

Year 6 Teachers

Our Liturgical Life

This term in Year 2 Religion, we have focused on the significance of prayer. The students delved into the meaning of prayer as a way to communicate with God, learning to express their personal needs and gratitude. They reflected on the blessings in their lives and the areas where they sought guidance, translating these reflections into heartfelt prayers. As part of their learning, the students wrote their own asking and thanking prayers, which helped them explore their spirituality and articulate their thoughts with sincerity. We have loved sharing these prayers as part of our Morning Prayer each morning.

This journey in prayer also helped prepare students for our Year 2 Chapel Mass, held in honour of Social Justice Sunday. During this special Mass held in the Chapel, students took part in a service dedicated to reflecting on the principles of justice, compassion, and care for others.

Ms Sarah Shaw

Year 2 Teacher

Chinese Language Awards

We are delighted to celebrate the exceptional achievements of three outstanding students who have recently been honored with the prestigious Chinese Language Awards. Lily Faraonio and Izzy Harris has both been recognized in the Second Language Learners of Chinese category for their remarkable progress and dedication as a non-native learner of Chinese. Despite the challenges of mastering a new language, Lily’s and Izzy's commitment and enthusiasm have set them apart. Furthermore, Linyi Huang has earned an award in the Background Language Learners of Chinese category. Growing up with Mandarin spoken at home, Linyi has shown impressive growth in her language skills, demonstrating both her deep cultural connection and her hard work in expanding her proficiency.

Congratulations to Linyi, Izzy, and Lily for their outstanding accomplishments and their contributions to the study of the Chinese language!

Ms Magdalene Kho