Junior School Update

Junior School Showcase 

On Tuesday, the hard work our students have invested in practicing culminated in the Junior School Showcase. It was a wonderful evening full of beautiful music, dancing and fun performances! We would like to thank all the teachers in the Performing Arts Faculty for working tirelessly with students. We also appreciate the support of our Junior School families – we hope you enjoyed the show! 

Behaviour Commendation

The exemplary behaviour of Shelford Junior School students on buses that transport students from a range of schools has been noticed and commented on by many staff from other schools who travel on the buses, as well as the bus drivers. This is an outstanding demonstration of integrity by our students who model this school value, along with that of respect. 

Principal Katrina Brennan’s Visit to the JDC 

We are thrilled to share the highlights from our Principal's visit to the enthusiastic Prep and Year 1 students on Wednesday 31 May. The students greeted her with beaming smiles and a cheerful "Good Morning, Mrs Brennan!" as they eagerly prepared to showcase their literacy learning. 

First, the students impressed everyone with their blossoming Phonemic Awareness skills. They confidently demonstrated their ability to identify and manipulate individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words by reciting the nursery rhyme, 'Baa Baa Black Sheep,' with clear articulation and expressive delivery. 

During the past week, the students delved into various versions of the beloved fairytale, Little Red Riding Hood. They discovered that the tale dates back over 300 years and explored a modern 2021 rendition featuring 'Little Red' as the courageous hero in her red hoodie! Mrs. Brennan read a more traditional version, sparking discussions about its underlying messages. Students reflected on the importance of independence, making wise choices, and listening to their mothers' advice. 

Adding to the excitement, Sophia B, Matilda B, and Phoebe X proudly shared their own published versions of Little Red Riding Hood with Mrs. Brennan, showcasing their creativity and writing skills. 

To conclude the morning, all students demonstrated how they utilise Decodable Readers Australia online for personalised phonics lessons, reading books at their respective levels, and even grooving to a phonemic awareness video, making the learning experience engaging and enjoyable. 

Before bidding farewell, Mrs. Brennan spoke with each student, expressing her appreciation for their fantastic reading and wishing them a wonderful morning ahead. 

End of Term 

What a busy, fun-filled, learning-rich term the Junior School has enjoyed. It’s nearly time for a well-deserved break. We wish all of our students and families a restorative break when term ends on Thursday 22 June at 3.15pm. We remind all families that Monday 17 July is a staff day. We look forward to welcoming students back into their classrooms on Tuesday 18 July. 

Vicky Gemmell

Head of Junior School – Student Wellbeing and Development

Jacqui Sidaway

Head of Junior School – Curriculum and Innovation