From the Head of Junior Schools

Returning to school after term break is always such fun for all who work in the field of education.

It is so heart-warming to see classmates reconnect with each other, with their teachers, share their holiday stories and wonder what the new term will have in store for them. It is also wonderful to hear the sounds that come with school, the laughter, the squeals, the songs, the discussions, the conversations, and the negotiations. And yes, sometimes there may be tears and disagreements, and these too have their place as children learn to exist together in a community, preparing them for life. On Tuesday 9 May, you are invited to the online presentation of The Language of Friendship. The UR Strong’s whole school friendship strategy serves to enhance the social climate in schools.

Please click on the attached URSTRONG Invitation below:

Welcome

I am thrilled to introduce our new members of staff, Mr Dean Edwards, who will be teaching P6D and Mr Justin Roberts, our new PDHPE teacher and PISA sport organiser. We warmly welcome both gentlemen to our School and broader community.

Cross-Country

Due to the construction taking place on campus, our School Cross-Country races will take place during PE lesson time for student safety. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate parents on campus to watch the races due to the restricted spaces and building works.

SRC Initiative – Wrapper Free Food

Our thanks and gratitude are extended to all families for supporting the splendid SRC initiative to reduce the rubbish at school. Students are considering the amount of waste that is produced from wrapping food, both commercially and at home. There are well-designed lunch boxes with separate divisions to accommodate different types of food in the one container. This, along with a refillable water bottle (all clearly named) will go a long way to reducing the rubbish at school, and the flow on effect, for our local waterways. Our playground drains directly to Dee Why Lagoon. Building an environmental conscience at this age, will surely be a huge benefit for the global citizens of the future. Please support your children with this Waste Free Food.

Camp

This week Years 3 and 4 will be learning about their OEG camp experience when they meet with Mr Addrian Rhodes, Client Program Manager, for OEG. The Year 3 camp is in Week 5 from Wednesday 24 May until Friday 26 May - focusing on developing independence and confidence. The Year 4 camp is in Week 4 from Monday 15 May until Wednesday 17 May - focusing on Having a Go.

I am looking forward to an exciting and dynamic Term 2 where School and home work together to provide the best possible HEROIC learning journey for each student. 

Chess Club

Please click on the attachment below for details regarding Chess Club.

From the Junior School Curriculum Co-ordinator

Robokids

This week the Junior School participated in their first sessions of robotics with Robokids. These workshops use STEM education to challenge the students to develop their problem solving through the integration of Digital Technologies, Science and Maths. 

Here, the boys in P6T are developing their critical thinking, creativity, curiosity, and resilience. They used Lego Spike Prime to turn wind indicators into speed boats with added propellers or turbines. These were coded with Multiple Coding blocks in Scratch.

Deep Learning Unit - Geography

Year 6 have launched our Deep Learning unit for Geography this term with the driving question, “Why should Australians develop their understanding of Asia?” To examine this complex provocation, we will scrutinise the 4 T’s : Trade, Tourism, Technology and Treaties. As an introduction, we have begun to compare and contrast our relationship with China. The students in P6T were asked to summarise their findings in the form of a PEEL paragraph by articulating their POINT, with the inclusion of EVIDENCE, an EXAMPLE and a final LINK to the topic. Here is their summary: