Junior School update

With a lockdown announced on 27 May, Junior School staff and students found themselves learning from home again. It has been amazing to see students and families pivot so quickly to remote learning. Your support and understanding during this challenging time have been much appreciated by teachers. As you are aware, we are following our regular timetable with shortened periods to give your daughters time away from the screen and a movement break. Teachers have worked diligently to provide interesting online tasks that ensure learning is happening at home. Below are some snapshots of what has been happening online around the Junior School.

Music

In online choral classes, much of the Junior School has been doing a range of traditional children’s movement songs, to get everyone moving out of their seats. Older students have also been listening to other choirs and analysing their presentation and singing. Thanks to everyone for their happy smiles and enthusiasm!

Birthday celebrations

This lockdown did not stop the Year 2 students putting together a surprise celebration for Mrs McKenzie! Students came to their online class with signs, messages and party hats!

Keeping active

Online learning has not stopped our PE department from trying to keep our students active; although sometimes pets are getting in the way! Students in Year 3 were doing push-ups and tuck jumps in their lesson with Mr Whitehead this week. Year 5 and 6 students kept active on their Wednesday afternoons by choosing a task from their Sport grid.

Art

Year 2 students have been investigating an artist called KAWS, looking at his BFF characters (a well-known bright blue creature called BFF). The class decided to create a range of friends for BFF based on three different personality traits – cheeky, shy and kind. The girls thoroughly enjoyed the session. Alice described having tingles in her body because she felt so proud of her work!

Writing and Humanities

The Year 3 and 4 students have continued working on their descriptive writing during remote learning. They have been using STACKS to describe characters and settings.

Her hair swept over her face and her glasses fell down her slender nose. Her face was cracked with sadness. Her black rimmed circular glasses fogged up, no one felt her pain. Clara B 

Wispy red hair and round glasses. A young short but lean girl can enter her school with a big smile and smooth skin but exit with a droopy frown and cracked skin. Lucy M

In Years 5 and 6 students have been looking at persuasive devices in advertisements. They have created their own ads using ethos, logos and pathos. 

Year 6 have produced Aboriginal Rights posters in Humanities. They are examining Federation from the viewpoint of Indigenous people and have learnt about the Referendum in 1967, Sorry Day, Kevin Rudd’s Apology and the impact of the Stolen Generation.

Sarah McKenzie, Head of Junior Discovery Centre

Jacqui Sidaway, Head of Years 3–6