From the Assistant Principal 

Junior School

Year 8 and 9 subject selection process 

It was an exciting time for our Year 8 and 9 students this past week, as for the first time in their high school careers, they have had the opportunity to make choices as to which subjects they will do next year. Year 8 students listened attentively and enthusiastically as teachers presented an overview of the different electives open to them in 2024 such as Coaching, Drama, Journalism in French and Positive Ageing Intergenerational Storytelling Project to name just a few. The presentations included some highlights of each subject and links to interest areas and career pathways. There was a fantastic atmosphere in the assembly as teachers shared their passion and excitement for their subject areas. We really are fortunate to have such a dedicated teaching staff! Thank you to Cassie Mahoney, Leading Teacher of 7-9 Curriculum, for organising this event; a first for our school. 

Year 9 students joined their Year 10 and 11 counterparts to attend the Senior School Expo, where they visited information booths outlining the numerous options open to them next year. It was great to hear them chatting about their Morrisby interviews, how they went on their semester reports and what teachers said in the subject recommendation letters as they toured the stalls. Each booth featured examples of student work, curriculum overviews, textbooks and other resources as well as having teachers and current students present to answer questions. Subject selection emails have been sent home this week. Parents/ guardians are encouraged to discuss this with their child. Our new digitised Curriculum Handbook is available here. 

Time and Space sessions 

Year 7, 8 and 9 parents/ guardians will have received some information in the Newsfeed about our upcoming Time and Space sessions. We are very pleased to be introducing this unique and very special opportunity to our community next month and look forward to making this a tradition at our school. There are three different evening sessions in the series. 

 The first is open to Year 7 students and their mother or mother-figure, the second is open to Year 8 and 9 students and their father or father-figure, and there will be a session for Year 10 families later in the year. The intention is for these to run each year, giving parents and their children valuable opportunities to connect and discuss the particular challenges and achievements of that age and stage in a structured and supported format.  

Bill Jennings from Time and Space introduced the program to our students at year level assemblies last week where students wrote hand-written invitations to their special person, and these were posted home. We hope these will be a lovely memento to keep. 

We are very mindful of the diversity of our families, and these events are intended to be inclusive and welcoming. For example, a single mum would be warmly welcomed to the father-figure evening, as would an uncle, family friend, football coach or other mentor in the child’s life. We are also mindful of those students who may have recently lost a parent. Our Wellbeing Team are here to support all our students to feel included in these events and this has been carefully explained to students. Feel free to reach out to either myself or Leah Rintoule should you have any questions about this.  

Please register via the links on the fliers in this newsletter. 

Puffs opening night  

Chookas to our Production cast and crew as they bring the AHS production of Puffs to the stage this week. They have been hard at work in rehearsals for weeks and the show is looking great. Tickets to the Thursday night opening and Saturday matinee are on sale via the QR code below. Hope to see you there! Huge thanks to Luke Jedd and the team for all their work behind the scenes and providing this memorable opportunity to our students. 

Bastille Day 

Friday July 14th was a sea of colour, music and movement as we celebrated Bastille Day. I’d go as far as saying it was the best one yet! There were croissants (of course!), French music, a mime performer, face-painting and the highlight – a huge student choir performing at recess on the main staircase! The Student Entry was full and there was a burst of applause to acknowledge the excellent effort of these students, who practised diligently in class in readiness for the big day. Sounded fantastic! 

Merci beaucoup to Mme Oldfield and the French team for their outstanding collaborative effort in bringing this event together. It was a wonderful celebration of French culture, which is such an important aspect of our school.