The Star

Head of Junior School 

Mrs Jo Messer

Winter weather is descending upon us. This week has been a pretty chilly and wet one, with some inside play necessitated before school, at recess, and lunch times. Can I please remind you to send your son along with the warmer items of the School uniform to keep him warm throughout the day? There are also some reminders below about arrival at School and changes in uniform expectations.

Mid-Year Reports and Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews

This is the time of the year when our class teachers are writing reports and conducting final mid-year assessments for school reports. Teachers put a lot of time and effort into their planning, teaching, and assessing to make the curriculum engaging, meeting the needs of all students in the class while also meeting Australian Curriculum requirements. Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews are a time when you have the opportunity to formally engage with your son’s teacher. The next opportunity is on Monday 22 July. We encourage you to make an interview time so you are fully informed about his academic performance. Our specialist teachers are also available if you have questions about progress in Japanese, Art, Music, or PE. Reports will be released on Wednesday 3 July.

Virgilian Way Values Shine Through

Recently, two of our Junior School students displayed true Virgilian Way values. Silas Young and Lachlan Northeast (both Year 5) came to the rescue of a woman in need of help at Coles, New Town. Natalie’s shopping trolley became stuck and flipped over in the middle of the road. The two students were having lunch at Ruckus when they saw what happened. Without hesitation, they ran over to help Natalie. She offered to buy them their lunch or give them money, but they politely declined. In their actions, they exemplified our Virgilian Way values of Kindness, Justice, and Community. Natalie commended the students on their helpfulness and friendly nature. Congratulations and well done, Lachlan and Silas, on truly living out our school motto of ‘By Deeds, not Words’.

Busy Classes and Upcoming Excursions

Our classes have all been industrious in the last few weeks with excursions, sport, and woodwork. Read on, and you will find out more about some of those excursions. Stay warm, and I hope to see some of you on the side of a sporting event before the end of the term.

Before School Arrival Time

Recently, we have noted that a growing number of students are arriving at School before 8.15 am, some even earlier than 8.00 am. The School gates do not open and supervision is not provided until 8.15 am. We ask that you make every effort not to drop your son off this early. It is also extremely cold and occasionally wet while waiting in the driveway. Before School Care is available from 7.00 am, provided by Catholic Care. This would be the safest and preferred option for your son.

Mid-Year Assembly

Our annual Mid-Year Assembly is on Wednesday 3 July, in the Nagle Centre at St Mary’s College. You may enter the Nagle Centre from either entrance. Assembly commences at 1.00 pm. During the assembly, we will have performances from the choir and Years 5 and 6 bands. Certificates will also be handed out to students from each class, including specialist lessons as well as a class Virgilian Way Award.

Uniform Changes Reminder

In the last edition of the Star, I informed you about our changes in some uniform expectations. We understand that some items of clothing may be forgotten or left at a parent’s house or elsewhere at times. We will be vigilant, though, if there is a consistent pattern in these transgressions and will be in touch with reminders should the need arise.

 

Sports Uniform

  1. From now on, it will no longer be the expectation that the students wear their full tracksuit to and from school on PE and sports uniform day in Terms 2 and 3.
  2. It will be an expectation that the students wear their soft-shell jacket or pullover sports top to and from school, but not the tracksuit pants. This applies to all students from Kindergarten through to Year 6.
  3. On sports uniform days, the students must wear their House shirts under their polo tops; this expectation has not changed.
  4. If wearing track pants, the students must wear their sport shorts underneath.
  5. Students may wear the long sleeve training top as an additional layer under their polo; it is not to replace the House shirt and not to be worn with the formal uniform. This may only be worn in Terms 2 and 3.
  6. Beanies may be worn in Terms 2 and 3, only with sports uniform, and may be worn during recess and lunch. They are not to be worn indoors.
  7. Given the number of second-hand jumpers in lost property, we are relaxing the rule about the grey jumper. It is no longer compulsory to wear this to school under the blazer in Terms 2 and 3. The sports jacket may not be worn instead of the jumper but may be worn over the jumper as an additional layer.  

Cross Country Team

Thank you to Mr Tom Beard for assisting in the training of our Cross Country Team. Next week, some students have been selected to travel to Symmons Plains Raceway for the All Schools Cross Country Event. On Thursday 20 June, the recently postponed JSSATIS Cross Country Carnival will be held. We wish our students all the best for the carnivals.

Year 3 Music Excursion

Last week, Year 3 students went to see a music education concert at the Federation Concert Hall by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. The concert was called “Animal Kingdom” and featured an array of music inspired by animals. The musicians were elaborately dressed up in animal costumes, and students from the “Exit Left” theatre group did a wonderful job MCing the show. The students enjoyed seeing and hearing all the different musical instruments and learning how composers use the elements of music such as tempo, pitch, rhythm, tone colour, texture, and articulation to portray an animal and their characteristics.

Festival of Voices

Our Junior School Choir is gearing up to perform in “Young Tasmania Sings” at the Festival of Voices in Week 10. All Years 4-6 choir members will attend a 2-day choral workshop at the Federation Concert Hall, joined by many other local school and community choirs. They will perform in a public concert on Tuesday 2 July, at the Federation Concert Hall. Tickets must be pre-purchased from the Festival of Voices website. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend to support our wonderful school choir.

 

News from Year 2

In the last two weeks, our Year 2 students have been out and about in our local community. Last Thursday, we walked to Fullers Bookshop. The students had a fantastic time listening to stories, learning about the shop, and even having the opportunity to take a book home for free. This was extremely generous of Fullers Bookshop, and the students were very thankful.

 

On Tuesday, we went for another walk to the Hobart State Library. Students learnt how to use the library, and what sort of things they can borrow, and listened to another story. Before we left, students were given their very own library card and were given the opportunity to borrow some books.

 

A huge thank you to both Fullers Bookshop and the State Library for hosting us, as well as our volunteers who walked down with us.

Mini Vinnies Hot Dog Day

This term, the Mini Vinnies hosted a fundraiser for the Winter Appeal. Thank you to all the families that supported this fundraiser. We have estimated funds raised to be around $350. This will support people in our local community. Another day like this will be held in Term 3.