Junior School 

From the Head of Junior School

Innovating for Grandparents' Day

Before we jump straight into the term ahead I would like to reflect back to the final day of Term One where we celebrated Grandparents’ Day across the Junior School. In past years we have welcomed grandparents on-campus and into our classrooms so students could share a snippet of their world and have an experience together that celebrates the special bond between grandparent and grandchildren. COVID has presented many challenges for our community and stretched us to think creatively about how we can maintain the core elements of what is special to us whilst making appropriate adjustments to our practices to stay safe and look after each other. Whilst cancelling or postponing these sorts of occasions is an option to consider, there is also the option of doing something differently, innovating to create a new experience that maintains the core elements of what we value. We chose to innovate. 

Innovation is the ability to design or create new approaches, products or services to either add value or adapt to a changing environment. Many publications over recent years highlight the value of innovation as a skillset both for the present and the future, although I would also argue that innovation has been a valuable skillset throughout history also. Utilising innovative technologies has been truly life changing for us over the past two years specifically, enabling us to design different experiences that allow for family connection and learning through virtual mediums either pre-recorded or live stream. The learning curve of upskilling with technology and various software has been immensely valuable for everyone involved, and a gentle (sometimes not so gentle) nudge to extend ourselves beyond comfort zones in designing presentations and event formats that lend themselves to the virtual medium.  

Grandparents’ Day 2022 exemplified the power of innovation. We utilised a range of technologies combined with creatively crafted student presentations and classroom spaces to provide a sense of occasion and special connection between grandparents and grandchildren. Some classes presented as a whole group to their grandparents who were ‘sitting’ in a virtual gallery, whilst other classes organised individual virtual meetings between students and grandparents much like we did for the recent parent/teacher interviews. In either form, students loved sharing their learning with their grandparents and the resounding feedback from families and grandparents was that they thoroughly enjoyed the experience of being virtually welcomed into GSG classrooms. It was amazing to see how quickly the classes moved past the initial novelty of the virtual medium and started to engage with grandparents online in similar ways to that if they were in the room together in-person. For many grandparents this was a rare glimpse into their grandchildren’s school life as they live great distances from Albany (either interstate and overseas) and ordinarily wouldn’t be able to attend such an event on-campus. Hearing this sort of feedback affirms the value and impact that we know is there when we connect students with their families to share learning experiences, but seeing it played out in real time is wonderful. There are some photographs below that might provide some sense for the engagement and interactions between classes and their grandparents, enjoy. 

Upcoming Events

Junior School Camps

We are delighted to again be able to run our camp programs for Years Three to Six over the next three terms. Year Four are currently on their first night away at Camp Quaranup at the time this publication is being released. Next week's Anchor will share some of the stories and experiences from their time away, but needless to say – they were very excited to be able to have a sleepover at Camp Quaranup.

Year Five will be our next group of campers, travelling to Pemberton in Term Three. Followed by Year Six travelling to Rottnest Island, and Year Three enjoying their first overnight camp experience staying in the Junior School building. All camps provide a broad range of experiences incorporating Outdoor Education with units of inquiry the class has been exploring, and the personal development aspects of growing independence incrementally through each camp experience.  

Interhouse Cross Country

Next Wednesday 4 May, students will enjoy the opportunity to challenge themselves on their respective courses across the school. Whether the goal is to complete the course, achieve their personal best time, or to finish in the top five, Cross Country always provides something for everyone to aim for. It’ll be a great day. More information around the event times and course distances can be found here

Mother’s Day

To honour our wonderful Mums and mother figures in our lives, the Early Childhood Centre extends an invitation for Mums and mother figures to attend a Mother’s Day Morning with their children next Thursday 5 May from 9.00am, concluding approximately between 10.00am to 10.30am. In the spirit of the great outdoors (before it gets too cold), classes have organised activities that will connect us all with our natural environment outdoors. More information will be provided in a letter from Miss Claire Hard, Early Childhood Coordinator.

On Friday 6 May, a Mother’s Day Stall will be selling handmade gifts for $5 and $10 that Junior School students are able to purchase, organised and created by the Senior School Business Studies Certificate IV students. Funds raised will go towards a charity that will be determined by the Business Studies students during their research unit next term. There will be enough items for each student to purchase one gift (for either $5 or $10) for their Mum. We do understand that some children may require two gifts to purchase for Mums or mother figures in the family, this is perfectly fine and there should be enough gifts available to accommodate this.  

Horizons

Another popular uptake of Horizons activities this Term with activities including Dance, Orienteering, Mandarin and Technologies for the Years Three to Six students. For ECC students, Coding for Kids, Clever Creations and Crafty Kids activities to spark our youngest students creativity on a Wednesday and Thursday afternoon. For further inquiries about the Horizons programme please email Junior School Physical Education and Sports Coordinator – Mr Stephen Berryman, Stephen.berryman@gsg.wa.edu.au 

With warmest regards, and appreciation,

Mr Ken Raven | Head of Junior School