Junior School Principal Report

Welcome back

Happy New Year! Welcome back to the 2025 school year and a very warm welcome to our new Year 7 students and families. It has been a very positive start to the 2025 school year in Junior School. 

Our Year 7 students enjoyed an engaging two-day Transition Program, with a focus on getting to know their peers and mentor teacher, whilst also supporting the students so that they feel ready to tackle formal classes. A big thank you from me to Ms Pratt and Mrs Kennedy for their work setting up and running the transition program. When contacting the school please utilise our Mentor teachers, they work with the students daily and welcome parent communication, the easiest way is through Compass.

Thank you to the families that attended our meet and greet BBQ on Tuesday. We hope you enjoyed the new format of our Information Evening. If you have any feedback, please contact Nicole Pratt. 

Our Year 8’s and 9’s have also settled in well with some positive messages from teachers around engagement. We are looking forward to the different opportunities that 2025 will provide them. Our team for Year 9 is Mr Given and Miss Bukojemski and at Year 8 is Mr Cole and Miss Jones.

Our focus as Mrs Harris suggested in our first assembly is on attendance, ensuring you are at school, engaged every period, every day. As always if your child is absent, please log it through Compass.

Microsoft to Do and Junior School Handbook

This year, we're excited to introduce a new way for students to stay organised and on top of their assignments—Microsoft To Do! 

As part of our move toward more interactive, digital learning tools, we’re replacing our traditional hard copy planners with this cloud-based platform, offering students a way to manage their tasks and homework.

With Microsoft To Do, students can create customised lists, set reminders, and break down larger projects into smaller tasks, all in one place. 

The best part? The platform syncs across multiple devices, allowing students to access their tasks on their school computers and then check or update them on their phones at home. While phones are not allowed during school hours, students can sync their To Do list on their devices at home, ensuring they never miss an important deadline or homework assignment.

If you are interested in modelling this at home, there is a tutorial video available.

The only downside of having no planner is the important information that used to sit in the front of the planner. To assist in that information students and parents have access to the Junior School Handbook. 

We look forward to hearing your feedback on 'To Do'

'A New Year of Learning' Webpage 

A new school year is an exciting time for students and families, but it can be a big step – particularly for those moving to secondary school.

The Department of Education has published a webpage with resources and information to help you prepare for the new school year.

Please consider reading through the resources, which include:

• tips to help transition between primary to secondary school

• what to expect at school

• help with school costs and fees

• health and wellbeing guidance to support children’s mental health. 

Please refer to the New year of learning webpage.