Junior School 

From the Head of Junior School 

It's lovely to see the reaction on students faces when something exciting or new has happened or arrived. 

This week some new furniture for the Year Three to Five Junior School building arrived, courtesy of funds donated from the Parents' and Friends' Association. Eight pieces altogether; bench seats, rounded ottomans and curved couches. They have been set up to create inspiring learning spaces throughout our generous foyer area in this building. 

The furniture is bright, inviting and comfortable, all the necessary ingredients for students to engage in an independent task, conduct small group work together or work with an adult on a particular task. But most importantly, I feel, is that these furniture pieces create flexible learning spaces beyond the classroom for our students and their teachers to access easily.

We have wonderful classroom spaces purposefully designed with space, storage, good lighting, wet areas (sinks) break-out spaces and adjoining classroom doors. These features provide students and educators with great variety in how they design and utilise their classroom environment. We know though that learning occurs beyond the classroom, and our Early Childhood Centre classes champion this concept, complementing their classroom learning with fluidly organised activities that spill into foyer spaces, playgrounds, walks around campus and into the Wild Space. Our ECC students immerse themselves in learning across all of these environments. Students in Years Three and beyond value this also. The inclusion of the new furniture pieces allows students and their teachers to design spaces that will enrich their learning experience and provide multiple options for them to work on projects, complete tasks and learn together, or independently.

At the heart of any learning environment are the students and educators, this has always been the case. The resources we provide them simply enhance or enable the learning environment to create greater connection, ease of access or inspiration. The donation from the Parents' and Friends' Association to purchase these furniture items is sincerely appreciated; our students, with their teachers will use them daily. Thank you.      

With warmest regards, and thanks,   

Mr Ken Raven | Head of Junior School