Especean

Junior School

Children’s Ideas About Lent

This past week, I have been fielding some interesting questions about Lent from Junior School students. One thing I love about the questions primary school students ask is the insight they give you into the thought processes of the students asking the questions. Very young children tend to be naturally curious and their questions unfiltered. Here are some great ones I have been asked over the years:

  • Why are you so bald?
  • You’ve got a big head, but I like your shoes. Are they new?
  • I don’t believe you were a scientist but is it true you were in a rock band?

The questions I have been asked about Lenten fasting since Ash Wednesday have given me an insight into the developmental stage the children are at. I don’t want to break anyone’s confidence so I won't give authentic examples, however I can tell you that many questions have been technical questions like:

  • If I gave up X and Y for Lent, can I do X one week and Y the next?
  • I gave up chocolate, but I meant normal chocolate, so can I have a hot chocolate or Nutella?
  • I gave up morning tea, but I get hungry by then, so is it okay to have extra breakfast?
  • I gave up lollies so I’m having chocolate instead. That’s okay, right?

As I said, these questions reveal several things to me about the children asking. Firstly, that the children really want to do the right thing and keep their Lenten commitments. Secondly, that by looking for technical ‘outs’ and loopholes, the children want to test boundaries and get away with what they can while not breaking 'the rules’ (they may go on to become tax accountants). Thirdly, these children still require external validation of their efforts, which is important for parents to recognise and support (it will not always be the case; the time will come when their fasting is between them and God). Finally, a focus on ‘the letter of the law’ suggests that perhaps they have not yet understood the spirit of the law – why we fast. That is okay too - it is okay to fast out of obligation and in doing so, gradually grow into a deeper appreciation of the ‘why’.

 

I dearly hope you will all have a conversation with your young people about what they are doing for Lent and how it is going. While you are at it, say a few prayers together and if you have time, say one for me. I need them all!

Recent Events

I want to say a big thank you to Mr Locke for Monday’s Swimming Carnival and Mrs Young for last week’s Belonging Day and Year 5 Welcome Liturgy. They and many others put so much time and effort into these events for the benefit of the boys of the Junior School. Believe me, the boys are blessed to have these people working tirelessly at their service.

A Brief Note About Sleep and Learning

A teacher let me know last week about a conversation they had with a class about students feeling tired. A quick informal survey revealed many in the class were staying up late gaming (sometimes with their parents!), watching television, using their phones in bed and even doing homework. 

 

Please remember, as it says in the Student Diary, that students in the Junior School should be completing up to (not more than) 50-60 minutes homework per night including reading. If homework is causing undue stress or taking too long, a note to the teacher in the diary is appropriate and if this is a regular problem, a chat with the teacher can help to negotiate a suitable arrangement.

 

You might like to read this article on sleep from KidsHelpLine for some kid-friendly insights into how important this is for a young person. It can have a huge impact on their learning and many other aspects of their health and wellbeing. 

https://kidshelpline.com.au/teens/issues/why-sleep-so-important

 

Ben Munday

Director of Junior School

 

Belonging Day

Year 5 Belonging Day saw students travel to Parramatta and Hunters Hill on Thursday 18 February. The day was filled with many great activities, built around the theme of 'Jesus, Edmund and me'. These activities helped students to create new friendships in a different environment and deepen their understanding of what it means to be part of an EREA school, linking to our College touchstone of Gospel Spirituality. 

 

Thank you to the Year 5 teachers and staff who helped to make this day possible. Thank you to the eight Year 12 students who gave of their time to assist - what an impression they make on the young boys! A special thanks must also be given to Ms Daley and Mrs Spagnuolo for all their work behind the scenes to make the day possible.

Year 5 Welcome Liturgy

A highlight of becoming part of the College community for a Year 5 boy and his family is the annual Year 5 Welcome Mass. While the traditional Mass in the College Chapel was not possible this year, the virtual Welcome Liturgy that streamed live from the Chapel on Thursday evening was an equally special occasion. 

 

Thank you to all the Year 5 teachers, to the students who spoke or read and the parents and carers who brought them, to the musicians, to Fr Jack, to Mrs Poyaoan representing the P&F committee, and to all who assisted in ways large and small in what was a wonderful liturgy. A special thank you to Ms Daley who helped to facilitate the whole event.

 

We are very grateful to all the Year 5 families who understood the importance of the occasion and took the time to join in the liturgy. It was most disappointing, however, to see that nearly two-thirds of the Year 5 cohort did not join this compulsory event. 

 

A great deal of time and effort went into making this event happen for you and for your sons. We ask (and expect) that when a College event is being held, you demonstrate your support and commitment to our College community and join with us during these celebrations. When we do, we grow together. On this occasion, as a sign of good faith, a video will be made available for a short period of time on https://clickv.ie/w/uc1p. 

 

Jacinta Young

Junior School Religious Education Coordinator