Junior School

As we prepare for the final week of Term 3, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the College community for their tremendous support. We have experienced incredible challenges this term, the impact of which has been significant for many. It is a remarkable feat for students, with the support of parents, to have sustained teaching and learning with such perseverance, spirit and tenacity. With hope, we look forward to the upcoming term break, praying that you will remain safe, enjoy times of rest and look to Christ in whom we can trust.

 

As an avid photographer and scrapbooker, I have been amazed at the fantastic photographs and videos, shared by parents, of our students learning at home. Whilst we do not like this situation in which we find ourselves, these photos and videos are indeed evidence of resilience, creativity, and of making the best of a bad situation! I commend parents for making a record of this time in history, where the character and positive attitude of their child is on display. It made me wonder what memories we will carry into the future. I want to also remember the gift of this time, the ways in which our children truly demonstrated their capabilities in the face of challenge. Maybe, as a family, you may consider creating a time capsule these holidays which captures your memories of God’s faithfulness and protection over you, as well as the beautiful memories you want to always remember.

Farewell to Claudia Weller

Claudia Weller
Claudia Weller

We take this opportunity to also acknowledge Claudia Weller, a longstanding staff member and leader, who is leaving the College at the end of this term to pursue new opportunities in the creative domain. Claudia commenced employment at Oxley in 2008. During her time at the College, she has served in the following roles: Maths intervention, classroom teacher, Prep – Year 2 Coordinator, and more recently as the Junior School Visual Art teacher. Claudia’s heart for children and learning is second to none. At all times, she fosters a learning environment in which children can flourish. To staff, Claudia has been caring and collegiate. We will greatly miss her presence and say a big thank you for her contribution to the spiritual life of the College.

 

The College is pleased to acknowledge the appointment of Mrs Jacqui Kelly as the new Junior School Visual Art teacher from Term 4.

Term 4

It is so important that students have a well-earned break from remote learning and adopt a new routine by doing different things during the term break, preferably off screen. This is important for parents too, as you have worked so hard to support your child’s learning for such a significant amount of time. We pray that our students and their families, and staff, have a safe and relaxing holiday. We look forward to hopefully welcoming all students back to school for Term 4 on Monday 4 October. Further information about Term 4 plans will be forthcoming, especially in relation to the return of students, with details still to be confirmed by the government.

 

When students return to onsite learning in Term 4, they are required to wear summer uniform and their Oxley regulation sunhat. If possible, please ensure girls’ summer dresses are at the correct length, with the hem to the bottom of the knee. We do know that there may be challenges to get hems fixed without using the sewing skills of someone outside the home. Likewise, there will be a relaxing of expectations around hair length if students are unable to visit the hairdresser. We do ask that students have as neat a hairstyle as possible and continue to wear their uniform with pride. Please refer to pages 12-13 of the 2021 Student Diary for details of our Student Uniform Standards. As we draw closer to end of year events, uniform and hair checks will resume and parents will be advised accordingly of anything requiring attention.

2022 Class Placement

Parents are provided an opportunity to communicate in writing, to the Head of Junior School, any specific information which could have a significant impact on their child’s class placement for 2022 (e.g. cousins, neighbours in the same level, etc.). As situations can change, requests made in previous years are not taken into consideration. Staffing for each year level is not yet confirmed, so specific requests for teachers will not be considered. All correspondence should be addressed to the Head of Junior School, marked confidential, by Friday 16 October to be considered.

 

Psalm 25:5 Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Saviour, and my hope is in You all day long. 

 

Sharee Gaiser

Head of Junior School


What Did You Do at School Today?

Prep

We cannot believe that the end of term is nearly here. Prep students are working so hard when learning at home. It is great to see their friendly faces each morning and hear about all the exciting things they are doing with their family at home. Preps have done an amazing job at becoming poets. We found out that there are different types of poems we can write, such as sensory, rhyming and colour. Mrs Lee and Mrs Rodgers cannot wait to see what poem each student chooses to write for their published text.

 

Year 1

We cannot travel in real life, but that hasn’t stopped us learning about faraway places, as we Celebrate Differences in Integrated Studies. While learning about China, we made a lantern. Our focus on Nigeria included constructing a drum. We made pasta and played Bocci during Italian week. We also thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to create Indian artwork. It will be so exciting to share our learning in small groups during the last week of term.

Heinz making pasta
Sarah with the drums she created
Heinz making pasta
Sarah with the drums she created

Year 2

Wow! Our Year 2 students have been working so incredibly hard during remote learning this term. One of our highlights has been planning and writing creative, descriptive and mind-blowing poems. We all tried our best to add poetic devices to make them extra special. We think that similes are as good as Vegemite on toast!  Miss Newton and Miss Wynne miss seeing every student’s shining face in the classroom. However, we are grateful to God for the ability to see everyone in our virtual online classroom. We are praying for a safe, joyful and relaxing school holiday for every family. May His face shine upon you all.

Rueben's sensory poem (2W)
Sammie (2N)
Logan (2W) with his rhyming poem
Ari (2N)
Rueben's sensory poem (2W)
Sammie (2N)
Logan (2W) with his rhyming poem
Ari (2N)

 

Year 3

Students have been incredible poets over the last couple of weeks, writing a range of creative and engaging poems! Limericks, haikus, diamante and sensory poems have taken shape. It’s been wonderful to learn new ways to digitally present our work online. We have enjoyed seeing each other online, sharing Dad jokes, solving emoji clue puzzles and locating where in the world is Mr Ashmore?

 

Year 4

It’s amazing how savvy students are when working with money! They enjoy learning more about it and how to handle change. Their ability to round up and down has improved greatly, all that despite lockdown and the reality of EFTPOS. You may want to set them a little task this week. Give them four items to potentially purchase from a supermarket catalogue, and ask them if it is cheaper to buy them individually or altogether. The answer may surprise them and you! 

 

Just make sure they know that they have to give the change back to you!

 

Year 5

We have been busy online in Year 5, writing poetry about our Integrated Studies unit linked to children’s rights. We are performing our poems online to each other, calling our audience to action against issues such as poverty, malnutrition, sanitation and illiteracy. It has been amazing to see what our incredible students have been able to achieve, and some of the phrases they have created to express their point of view are breathtaking.

Everybody’s Right by Matthew King (5M)

 

Year 6

How wonderful it has been to see each other’s faces every day! We have explored new ways of collaborating with each other, especially through the giving of feedback to prepare for our Slam Poetry performance. We are proud of how we have refined our writer’s craft to invite our audience to make a difference in the life of someone in need. It has been so much fun to explore the use of verbal expression, body language and gestures to support the main message of our poetry. Furthermore, Mr Clarke has been raving about our phenomenal leads in Annie Jnr and the way they confidently demonstrate these same skills during online rehearsals. Such exciting times in Year 6!

The Hidden Monster by Isabel Alcordo (6G)