Junior School News
From the Head of Junior School
As we head into the Term 3 holidays it is a very good time to reflect on what has been achieved in a disrupted term and to look toward Term 4. Despite the disruptions to the traditional learning program that the Covid pandemic has forced upon us, our students have been able to adapt and continue their studies to good effect. I have witnessed many examples of flexibility and creativity throughout the lockdown. While checking in with one of the year levels I was invited into a class Kahoot, an online quiz that the teacher can create. It was competitive but fun. Students went on to create their own Kahoots to share with the class.
Mrs James has organised some excellent guest speakers during the Art lessons. Practicing artists have volunteered their time to share their knowledge and techniques with our students. We thank Margot Feast from the Bendigo Art Gallery, Sarah Gabriel sarah@lauristonpress.com.au, Julian Twigg juliantwiggart@gmail.com, James Lai jameslaiart@gmail.com and Corina Hazlett jandchazlett@gmail.com. We are very appreciative of their selflessness in giving up their time for our students.
Today we will have the final judging of the 2021 Girton’s Got Talent competition. When the idea of running a talent show for our students via Zoom was put to our teachers, they agreed that it would be a great opportunity for our school community to connect with an activity other than classwork. At a time when it would be very easy for our teachers to say “No, we haven’t got time” or “No, it’s too hard”, they have stepped up and organised Year level auditions. Our Student Representative Council teachers have taken on the complex task of arranging finals and assisting the SRC students to coordinate the auditions and work with the year level teachers to select the finalists for the Grand Finale. Parents of the performers have helped them to prepare and video or live stream their acts, also at a time when most are under added pressure due to the extended lockdowns. It is events and activities such as this that really illustrate the creativity and extra lengths that our community are willing to go to in an effort to help our students maintain connection and a sense of fun in their learning.
Those of you who attended our Junior School Assembly last week would have witnessed the efforts our teachers put into creating a fun video for our Junior School students. Thank goodness for the talent of our music teachers who recorded the music and took part in the video so that there was some semblance of musical talent! While our teachers (myself included) will not be leaving education to sign recording contracts any time soon, they were willing to give up even more of their time to produce a bit of fun for our students and to show them that, while we may not be able to see them in person, we still care about them and are still here to make them laugh (or groan).
Family Resources
While I am sure all of our families are looking forward to the holiday break as a time to rest after a very taxing term it is also a time when we can spend time making sure that our children are coping with the uncertainties that they faced this term and may face again in Term 4. We do not yet know what the Term 4 structure will be. What we do know is that whatever the format, we will be prepared for it and will be able to support our students and families with the best program we can provide. Our school has collated a variety of resources to assist our parents to support their children.
All parents can access these resources through their Astra logon at https://astra.girton.vic.edu.au/homepage/18513(Astra Support Resources Page). Last year we were fortunate to be given access to a video presentation on helping students manage Covid related anxiety produced by Yale University. It is posted on the Resources page or can be downloaded here: https://astra.girton.vic.edu.au/send.php?id=102718. There is a section early in the video where the sound quality drops out somewhat, but it does improve shortly after that and is well worth watching.
Independent Schools Victoria has also organised a range of support articles and sites for parents on their parent portal (https://theparentswebsite.com.au/) and the Commonwealth Government has an excellent resource site for parents called the Raising Children Network. The site has a podcast page with a range of very useful audio episodes. (https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/podcasts-and-webinars/podcasts)
Finally, for those students looking for some challenges over the holiday break I have found two excellent resources that appeal to both of my passions, Reading and Science and Technology. The first link is to an Open Source Library hosted in the US. It has free membership and allows users to borrow books that can be read online. Many also have a “Read to Me” download available. The books are actual books held by the library that have been scanned. Borrowers can access the books for 30 minutes at a time. If no one else borrows the books borrowers can extend the length of time they can loan the books online. There are a wide range of books available from The Famous Five to Tashi and even Harry Potter. I would suggest that parents make an account and then help their children select a book to enjoy, perhaps to read together. https://openlibrary.org/ The second resource has been developed by the James Dyson Foundation and is a series of Science and Technology challenges that can be undertaken at home. The Challenge Cards available at the site would be great holiday activities for our inquisitive students. (https://www.jamesdysonfoundation.com/resources/challenge-cards.html)
Enjoy the holiday break and we look forward to seeing everyone back next term, in whatever form that takes.
Mr Donald Thompson
Head of Junior School
NAIDOC Week
Last week the Junior school celebrated a virtual NAIDOC Week. NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is celebrated by all Australians and is a great opportunity to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The National NAIDOC theme for 2021 is: Heal Country, heal our nation. To Heal Country means embracing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of Australia’s national heritage.
Throughout the week, students had the opportunity to participate in a range of online activities. On the first day, students watched a live stream Ceremony held by local Dja Dja Wurrung members Rebecca Phillips and Jason Kerr. Rebecca presented a Welcome to Country. Jason Kerr shared a didgeridoo performance, and his son accompanied him with a dance.
Prep to Year Three students were fortunate to have Aunty Lyn Warren virtually revisit us this year. She live streamed an Aboriginal storytelling session. Aunty Lyn read a story about Bungil the Eagle. In Australian Aboriginal mythology, Bunjil the eagle is a creator deity, culture hero and ancestral being.
Year Three to Six students enjoyed listening to AJ Williams-Tchen, a Wiradjuri/Wotjobulak man. He discussed the meaning of NAIDOC Week and shared personal stories about the Stolen Generation.
A special thank you to Marana Murray for recording a Welcome to Country for the Junior school assembly. He shared his connection to the Country, and we are grateful for his courage to share this with the school community.
Students also participated in a range of remote learning activities for NAIDOC Week within their classes. Here are some photos of work 4M completed as part of their NAIDOC celebrations.
The children in Year 4M listened to a different Indigenous story every day and our favourite was definitely listening to the story The Shack That Dad Built. They loved watching the Smoking Ceremony (Ailiyah and Mysha Buttar’s baby brother loved it too! See attached photo) We also ran a colouring competition and each day the children were sent a different picture to colour in. I have attached some to the email and there are more on the 4M Astra page.
Mrs Catherine Stagg
SCIENCE VISITORS TO SCHOOL
Some of the students who were onsite remote learning had a different science lesson one day. Mrs Smith and Mrs Deed from the Senior School Science lab brought their friends into the Junior School to visit.
Year Five: Writing Effective Story Climaxes
The Year Five students have been honing their narrative writing skills by focusing on the climax of the story. The ‘climax’ is the most exciting part of a narrative, where the conflict in the story is generally resolved.
The students adapted climaxes from well-known tales or wrote their own versions. By experimenting with direct speech and the inclusion of strong verbs and adjectives, they aimed to capture the reader’s attention.
“Take that!”, Perian speared an Gutvine through the stomach. Panting, Katka sprinted over.
“You made it!” Katka would have hugged her but in the middle of a battle wasn’t the best time.
“Yeah, I also bought reinforcements”, Perian beamed. Katka tiredly smiled back, Perian’s optimism was infectious.
“Guys, focus!”, Catanna shouted over the violent yells of the Gutvine.
A glinting spear hurtled towards Perian but she swiftly dodged, twirling and hacking off a Gutvine’s arm. Katka sprinted towards a Healer, asking them to heal a team mate that had fallen to a Gutvine.
Adelaide Bolam (5 Riley)
“Ding, dong, ding”.
“Oh no”, whispered Cinderella. “I’m so sorry but I have to go!”, yelled Cinderella over the top of the music.
“But why?”, asked the Prince. But Cinderella was already running out of the castle.
“I need to be quick of he’ll realise….. t- oww, my glass slipper is gone!”, said Cinderella.
“Look, her glass slipper”, said the Prince. “We will hunt for her by making all the ladies try it on”.
A couple of hours later…..
“This is the last house- she must be here! ”
“Wow, you found me!” said Cinderella. They got happily married.
Ava Allan (5 Frew)
This Water Battle was intense - people were getting soaked left and right.
“Take that!”, screamed Joanna.
“Quick, come here!”, I said, “It’s a safe zone”. A few of my teammates came but not everyone. “Does anyone need a towel or a new water gun?”
A few said ‘yes’ but most were good. It was getting down to the last three on my team- me, Joanna and Lyla. There were still a few more on the other team. One of them got a super soaker but forgot it gets them wet too! Lucky for me I had an umbrella. We quickly got under, stayed dry and won!
“Yeah, WE WON!”, I screamed.
Charlotte Cason (5 Frew)
Valerie had waited her whole life for this. She had wanted to sing and be famous. Her hard work, all of it, had built up to this. Valerie took a deep breath and stepped on the stage, her hair shiny, her green eyes flashed confidently. Then she realised her duet partner was missing. She dashed backstage.
“Colleen!, Coll! We’re live. The crowd’s waiting.”
Her producer rushed up. “You need to start! Without Col!”
“What? No!”
Valerie’s producer pushed her on stage. “Hello America!” They cheered. “Coll is not with us tonight “. They booed. “But I’m still here!” The crowd was aggravated.
Suddenly, a hand touched her shoulder. She turned, Coll smiled at her. “Hello America!”
Charlotte Thomson (5 Aherne)
“Grover!”, I screamed, but he’d already fallen off the cliff. I glared at Luke. “Why?”, I asked, “Why did you push him off?”
Luke chuckled. “Just a harmless joke”, he said.
Suddenly, he toppled off the cliff. In his place was Annabeth, my girlfriend. Tears stung her eyes and I knew she wasn’t the only boy she liked.
I tried to comfort her but she pushed me away and said, “ It’s Okay”. I hated being a demigod now.
Lucas Chen (5 Jenkin)
“Quick!”, shouted Harley, “They’re coming. I see them”. Sophie ran towards the weapon room and grabbed an axe for hers and a sword for Harley. “Here, take this”.
The Black Panther’s leader shouted “Charge!” and as they all ran forward.
“What are we going to do Harley?”, yelled Sophie.
“Only one thing- CHARGE!” The Red Riots charged forward and the Black Panthers then sprang into action.
There was suddenly a deafening scream. “Aaaaah!” It was Sophie, she’d been stabbed.
Poppy McIntosh (5 Jenkin)
“Tell me mirror, where is that Beast?”. Asked Gaston desperately. The mirror pointed at the castle. The whole town was marching toward the castle where the Beast lived.
“No, I’m begging you! He’s good. Please don’t go there!”, begged Belle. But it was too late. They chucked Belle into the back of a car and then she was her Dad.
As soon as the towns people got to the castle, Gaston ran to find the Beast to kill.
“There you are Beast, I’ve heard so much about you”….
“Do you have something to open this, Dad?”
“Yes, I have a bobby pin, I think”.
Sarah Cooney (5 Jenkin)
“Hey, Tim. Come over here!”, hurried Jacob. “The radar says there’s a robbery at the jewellery store”, exclaimed Jacob.
All of a sudden, a big explosion erupted out of the massive jewellery store across the other side of town. When they got closer, massive chunks of debris lay in front of the store.
“Looks like we have to walk on foot”, realised Tim.
“I will go in and you stay outside”, added Jacob.
Jacob rushed up the never-ending grey stairs, but there was no sign of the robbers.
Thom Hosking (5 Frew)
Year Six M Letter Writing
This year in Term 3 we have been in Lockdown. It has been a rough time for everyone so Mrs Bath and Mrs Milnter decided that they would help us stay in contact with our friends.
I guess you could say that’s how our little experiment started.
First, our teachers sent a letter to every student in 6M asking us how we were going in Lockdown and the instructions for this experiment. Then, after we knew what to do, we started writing letters to the people we were given (luckily they had also sent us addressed envelopes).
After a couple of days, everyone started to receive letters from other students others with jokes and lots of things that just make you laugh. It was so much fun receiving a letter in the mail. We then wrote letters to each of our Prep buddies – telling them we were missing them and that we would see them at school soon.
Overall I think this experiment couldn't have turned out any better.
Mackenzie Trotter (6 Jones)
No Longer On Mute – Bendigo Venues and Events
Young people aged 2-25 living in the City of Greater Bendigo were invited to submit a short text for an outdoor Art display in Pennyweight Walk. Year 6 M students created a short text with a maximum of 50 words, and below are some of the short stories!
Gone are the days immersed in laughter and the excitement of fun and games with friends. Depressed, drained, discarded, deprived of human touch. Textbooks, Zooms and remote learning fill the day. When will my life be restored? Finally, life pulses through me. PowerPoint on ... PlayStation activated ... GAME ON!!!!
Jackson Forder (6 Millward)
It was more than just a little cough,It was more than just a dead body,It was more than hundreds of families being torn apart.Torn apart because of the year 2020.It was much more than all of that.And it will always be much more than that.By Misha :)
Misha Gupta (6 Millward)
It was chasing me. A shadow over my life. It darkened the world wherever it went. Everyone was afraid of it, not knowing where it would strike next. It created fear among the society. People tried to escape it, but it knew what to do, and this shadow is Covid-19.
Kira Collins (6 Jones)
I walked in, it was chaos. Books everywhere, clothes all over the floor. My family was running around like the world was ending, I didn’t know what was going on, I was scared I yelled “WHAT’S GOING ON? WHY ARE YOU RUNNING?” Then mum said, “We are going into lockdown.”
Stephanie Carlson (6 Frew)
Last Day Football Colours
As a little celebration of the last day of Term Three, Junior School students were encouraged to dress up in their favourite footy colours. Preparatory to Year Two students and those remote learning onsite came to school with a splash of footy colours over their uniform. Students learning from home, joined their zoom classes showing their passion for their favourite footy team. Mrs Bath even added a touch of her favourite team to the school flagpoles!
MICHAEL GROSE: Appreciation – a parenting skill for the ages
POSITIVE PARENTING by Michael Grose
Do you have a child who craves attention? Does their attention-seeking at times deflate and overwhelm you? If so, you are not alone. Attention-seeking is perhaps the most common misbehaviour in families.
“Look at me, Mum” and its many variations become like a nervous tic driving parents to distraction. It’s good to give kids your undivided attention but there are limits to how much attention you can give. Unfortunately, attention-seeking becomes a pattern of behaviour that’s hard to break.
My first parenting mentor Prof. Maurice Balson, author of Becoming Better Parents, believed that children who constantly seek attention are generally discouraged. “I am not good enough” is their belief.
The antidote to discouragement according to Balson, was to increase the amount of encouragement that a child or young person received. Encouragement, literally meaning ‘to give heart or courage’ focuses on the processes of improvement, effort, enjoyment and contribution.
The latter, contribution, is the most potent of these processes. Kids will usually belong to their families in two ways. They are either contributing members, or are known for their poor behaviour. For kids known for poor behaviour, their usual way of operating shows a mindset of “If I’m not appreciated, at least they’ll know I’m around”.
Attention or appreciation? There’s no contest. Appreciation is the genuine deal when it comes to helping kids feel good about themselves.
Why appreciation works
Appreciation is highly motivating. Even adolescents will generally respond to a parent’s appreciative comments, although their faces won’t always not show it.
Appreciation has an old-brain connection. The job of our old brain or survival brain, is to keep us safe. Our safety can only be guaranteed if we are a part of a group, so parent appreciation helps kids feel secure, preventing them from resorting to negative attention-seeking behaviour to feel part of the group.
Appreciation is approval on steroids
Approval says I like what you do. Appreciation means much more. It shows how behaviour impacts on another person on an emotional level, which has a stronger impact.
Showing appreciation is a wonderful way to shape a child’s behaviour in positive ways. “Thanks so much for cleaning your toys away without asking. It makes my life so much easier.” This type of comment will usually generate a dopamine (feel-good chemical) response from a child, which means they are likely to repeat the behaviour to replicate the feeling.
How appreciation works
There are four rules to be mindful of, when you show appreciation:
- It must have meaning
Appreciation must be real and related to a specific behaviour for it to be effective.
- It should let child know the emotional impact of their behaviour
Either with words (“It makes me feel happy”) or through non-verbals (a smile, a hug or high-five) your child should see that their behaviour has had a positive impact on you.
It should be genuine
You can’t fake sincerity with a child or young person as they are generally adept mood detectives.
- It’s best if it has small differences
Showing appreciation is not a one-size fits all behaviour. Appreciation should be shown a way that matches the situation and suits your child. Consider writing a note to show appreciation for something special. Boys often prefer private encouragement rather than public acknowledgement so consider when and where you shower them with encouragement.
- Positive side effects
There are plenty of positive side effects to showing appreciation for a behaviour. An appreciative parent comment helps create a healthy, happy family atmosphere. Appreciation can change the mood of the giver and receiver and it’s a behaviour that if adopted by children can be experienced by the next generation. That makes parent appreciation a behaviour for the ages.
Michael Grose
Michael Grose, founder of Parenting Ideas, is one of Australia’s leading parenting educators. He’s an award-winning speaker and the author of 12 books for parents including Spoonfed Generation, and the bestselling Why First Borns Rule the World and Last Borns Want to Change It. Michael is a former teacher with 15 years experience, and has 30 years experience in parenting education. He also holds a Master of Educational Studies from Monash University specialising in parenting education.