Junior School

Can you believe we are at the half-way point of term already? Happily, restrictions are easing and we are well underway in revising our planning for end of year events. Watch this space.

The first returning event for Semester 2 is the annual Tour de Montagnes Bleues (Wentworth Falls, November 12) and Tour de Vallee (Springwood, November 18). Please contact the Office if you need more details or check the portal for the letter sent home.

I am also excited to announce that the Athletics Carnival will be able to go ahead for our Primary classes on Friday, November 19. We will certainly need a number of willing, able and double vaccinated volunteers so if you are able to assist please email Mrs Arrell (karrell@bmgs.nsw.edu.au) and we will be in touch.

Cricket season is on again, and this week clinics kicked off at both campuses amid much anticipation and excitement. Coaches from NSW Cricket are running a 4 week cricket program and I am sure we will develop a few cricket fans and expert cricketers amongst the children. 

There is an opportunity to follow any interest in cricket by joining in some after school cricketing opportunities with Blue Mountains Cricket Association. For more information refer to the letter sent home from Mr Collins.

As announced by Mr Maynard, we are saying goodbye to three of our teachers at the end of the year. I would like to acknowledge each of them in the coming newsletters. Today we focus on Mrs Christie.

Mrs Christie has been a wealth of energy and enthusiasm as she has led her charges, the Stage 2 Cherries, through what has been a most unusual year. Teaming up with Mrs Standen, Mrs Christie has been keen to provide the children in her care an engaging, vibrant and growth-oriented learning environment to be a part of. Her expert instruction in the newly introduced Spell-It program has resulted in higher than expected growth in Stage 2 this year, despite the challenges of COVID wiping out a big chunk of instructional opportunity. Regular kahoots and an affinity with technology has led to a significant increase in the digital literacy and capacity of the children also. Outside the classroom Mrs Christie took on the role of Basketball Coordinator and was a regular at the Katoomba Sports Centre cheering on the Grammar teams as they competed in the 2020/21 summer season. She has offered valuable insights as a colleague and regularly brought her joie de vivre to our staff gatherings. We will miss Mrs Christie and I thank her for her many contributions this year and the value that she has brought to our team. We wish her all the very best for her ongoing career.

Student Awards presented this week

Bronze: Connor Diskin (S1 Coconuts), Carlia Diskin, Lucas Rutherford, Mikhaela Sommerville, Robbie Sommerville (S2 Geebungs), China Khoo (S3 Fuji Apples), Simeon Gee, Liam Mackie (S3 Raspberries)

Silver: Mariella Cigana (S1 Grapes), Isaak Brajkovic, Ezekiel Mamo (S2 Cherries), Rose Cottle (S2 Geebungs), Keeden Harrison, China Khoo (S3 Fuji Apples)

Gold: Xavier Stephens (S3 Raspberries)

Head of Junior School: Taylor Bohn (S3 Raspberries)

Mr Nigel Cockington

Head of Junior School