From the Head of Junior School

It was great to get back into the yard last week having spent the first few weeks of the year travelling on Long Service Leave. I thank Mrs Bath for her excellent leadership in my absence. On my first day back the energy and enthusiasm with which I was greeted at the gate by the students in the morning was very special. It made coming back to work after an extended period away with family quite easy indeed. At assembly I spoke of some of my observations of students in other places while travelling and it was very clear that our students are fortunate to have access to the opportunities and facilities that they do. While visiting classes it was also wonderful to see the levels of activity and engagement in each class. Our Specialist Teachers have worked hard in the first few weeks of term to create stimulating learning spaces which I am sure are appreciated by the students.

Mr Donald Thompson

Head of Junior School

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Lightning

This is the time of the year when we can get unusual weather. That was the case last week when we had a lightning storm at the end of the school day. It is school policy to keep students inside whenever there is lightning. When there is a chance of lightning at the end of the school day we keep students undercover in the Thomas Building Courtyard and ask that they be collected from there. We will not allow them to wait out at the gate or in the playground. Of course, should there be a lightning storm at the end of the school day they will be kept in their classes until the storm has passed. We ask that parents be aware of this policy and assist us by not expecting children to walk out of class during a lightning storm.

Visiting Author: Elise Hogan

On Thursday and Friday this week Girton Grammar Junior School students were privileged to spend time with local Bendigo Author/Illustrator Elise Hogan. Elise is a school teacher and has also played basketball for the Lady Braves and AFLW Football for Melbourne, Geelong and Richmond Football Clubs.

Her new book ‘Rocket Rosie’ is a fantastic book discussing the important subject of ‘Inclusion’ and feeling like you belong. Students talked to Elise about inclusion and how it feels to be left out and different. After listening to Elise read her story students spent time with her talking about how we all need to feel included and the tips and ways that we can support each other to feel included. Elise’s activity involved students identifying their own strengths and challenges that they face in their lives.

Students enjoyed listening to the story and were happy to discuss their experiences with Elise. The story ‘Rocket Rosie’ has a valuable message for all students and it was wonderful to see the students listening and engaging with an author reading her story aloud.

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Swimming Carnival

The 2019 Junior School Swimming Carnival was a great day with some fantastic results. We wish those students who are representing Girton at forthcoming Swim Meets all the best.

Congratulations to Jones House for winning both the House and Spirit Cup and to our school Swimming Age Champions for 2019.

Age Champions:

9 Year Old

Ruby Flanagan (Jenkin)

Spencer Snell (Riley)

10 Year Old

Stephanie Carlson (Frew)

Jack Joynson-Baker (Millward)

11 Year Old

Isabel Mulder (Aherne)

Fraser Allan (Frew)

12 Year Old

Zara Paul (Riley)

Andreas Ginis (Riley)

Riley Sterenberg (Riley)

The staff and students are now getting ready for our Athletics Carnival which will be held on Wednesday 27th March.

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Bells

Thank you to the Friends of Junior School for their donations of new Choral Bells for our Bells Angels Bell Choir. The children are enjoying the new sounds and vibrations of these instruments. The generosity of the Friends of Junior School is very much appreciated.

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Relay for Life

Girton Grammar School has once again entered a team in Relay for Life 2019.

This year's event will be held on Saturday March 30th at Backhaus Oval, Fir Street Golden Square. Girton Grammar Junior School will have a marquee at the event from 9.00 am until 3.00pm.

We encourage parents to join the team to participate alongside their children. Just by joining the team you will receive a Relay for Life polo shirt to be worn on the day.

Cost to join the team is $25.00 for students and $35.00 for adults. Please note: All students wishing to participate must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the event.

Participants are encouraged to walk, jog, or run around the track as many times as they wish. A tally of the laps will be kept for all participants.

To join the team please use the link supplied and start us on our fundraising journey.

Girton Grammar Junior School team page link is:

https://secure.fundraising.cancer.org.au/site/TR/RelayforLife/CCVIC?team_id=63508&pg=team&fr_id=5712

CLICK on the “Join Our Team” tab to enter.

This is a wonderful opportunity for our students and parents to support the community as well as a chance for parents to get together.

We encourage the Girton Grammar School Community to support this worthy cause. Our goal this year is to raise $1000 or more for this very worthwhile cause.

Mrs Mardi Polidano

Girton Grammar School Team Captain

Year 5 Excursion to Melbourne

On Friday 1st March, the Year Five students visited the State Library and Melbourne Museum. They had a wonderful day.

I liked learning about Robert Hoddle’s trundle wheel and chain.

Tadhg Hughan (5 Jones)

I liked the Cole’s Book Arcade with the mechanical chicken. The building looked very fancy.

Will Thoma (5 Aherne)

I liked learning about the history of Ned Kelly and seeing the mask of his face.

Ethan Fletcher (5 Millward)

I really liked the Latrobe reading room at the State Library. It was very pretty.

Charli Hosking (5 Frew)

At the Museum I thought the animals and dinosaurs were very interesting. It was amazing to see the size of the animals.

Emma Smith (5 Jenkin)

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Drama Department News

One Act Play