Junior School Update
Book Week 2024 Reading is Magic
We are kicking off this year’s CBCA Book Week with a dress-up day on Monday August 19! Students are invited to dress up as their favourite characters or wear something inspired by this year’s theme; Reading is Magic.
Kids News 2024 Short Story Competition
Congratulations to Ariana F in Year 6 who was selected as runner-up in the Year 5/6 category of this year’s Kids News competition for her short story Shauna’s Story. Renowned children’s author and competition judge Jackie French helped choose this year’s winners from 400 entries in the Kindergarten to Year 9 national competition. The judges said the following about Ariana’s story "This is an ambitious story about PTSD, multi-generational storytelling and compassion. For a primary school story, it shows some real depth of thought and feeling."
Congratulations Ariana – perhaps we’ll see you as a published author one day!
Primary Schools Parliamentary Convention
Do you think students should be taught how to use artificial intelligence tools in the classroom?
Last week, six of our Year 6 students participated in the Online Primary Schools Parliamentary Convention to discuss just this issue. Ariana F, Grace N, Anna K, Chloe W, Luisa R and Karen T researched the topic in their own time, discussed the issues, prepared and presented an opening statement. With 600 students from around Victoria, they listened to experts outline the positive and negative arguments and then used the information to formulate their own conclusion. The students gained a deeper understanding of our democracy in action and represented Shelford very well.
SSA National Swimming Championships
Anna K in Year 6 is congratulated for achieving a bronze medal in the 100m breaststroke event at the Schools Sport Australia Swimming Championships. Below is a recount of Anna’s wonderful experience.
Two weeks ago, I participated in the SSA Swimming Championships representing Victoria with a team of other talented athletes. This event has given me a whole new level of a new experience that I could never have imagined. As team captain, it gave me more leadership opportunities that will last in my memory forever. Just being in that moment, surrounded by all my teammates and competitors, I felt like my heart lifted. It has been such a thrilling experience, and I feel that I could now go through anything!
Year 6 French
Our Year 6 French class has been working on researching and collecting artefacts about France and French culture, such as typical food items, famous artists, painters or scientist, designers, historical facts, touristic points with specific interests, etc. Their task was to collate their findings in a scrapbook, together with an introduction in French introducing themselves and a paragraph to explain why they have chosen to learn French. This work was completed during Term 2 in class and at home. The result is fantastic, thanks to their hard work, creativity and curiosity.
Mme Durant de Mareuil
Matilda Jr Reminders
Our production of Matilda Jr. is just around the corner, and excitement is building! The performances will take place on Thursday 15 August and Friday 16 August. We will have a 9.30am start for Junior School students on Friday 16 August. Care will be provided for those students who are not able to arrive late. An Operoo will be distributed next week for families to register. If you haven't already secured your tickets, please do so soon to ensure you don't miss out on this fantastic event and Shelford's last ever production.
You can purchase tickets HERE.
In preparation for our first dress rehearsal this Friday, we kindly remind you that students need to bring their white shoes and crew socks (just above the ankle) this week if they haven't already. Additionally, students need to have their hair done for the dress rehearsals this Friday 9 August and next Tuesday 13 August.
Our Matilda Jr. t-shirts have arrived, and they look amazing! There are a limited number of spare t-shirts in each size, so if you did not order one for your child and would now like one, please email Kelsey Holden as soon as possible at kholden@shelford.vic.edu.au. Upon receiving a confirmation email, please bring cash in a clearly labelled envelope with your child's name and size, and have your child give it to their classroom teacher. Each t-shirt is $16.
We Need Your Help
The Year 6 students are embarking on a project from which all Shelford students will receive a keepsake at the end of 2024.
We are hard at work on our secret mission but need your help! If you have any Shelford uniforms (especially summer dresses and things in Shelford fabric), or school colour ribbons, buttons, decorations etc that can be hand sewn onto another item, we would love to take them off your hands!
We will place a collection box on the landing outside the Year 6 classrooms (C11 & C12 at the top of the IRC staircase) and would love to receive any donations you may have hidden away in a cupboard or drawer at home.
Thank you,
From the Year 6 class of 2024
Vicky Gemmell
Head of Junior School – Student Wellbeing and Development
Jacqui Sidaway
Head of Junior School – Teaching and Learning