Junior School

Learning in the Junior School is well and truly underway! My regular visits to all of the classrooms at Wentworth Falls and Springwood always show students busily engaged in their learning. This doesn’t always look the same, and might not look at all like the learning that happened when parents and grandparents were at school.

Apart from the use of computer technology, which is regularly used in classes when it’s the best tool for the job, our teachers use all kinds of interesting methods to teach the children. 

This week Stage 2 Gudugulung harvested corn that they grew last year and compared it to store bought corn. Lots of Maths went along with the lesson and apparently our BMGS-grown corn was a winner! Stage 1 Wirambi read a book about bower birds and built their own habitats for birds in the Adventure Playground.

At Springwood this week, the students had an opportunity to learn about wildlife up close. A regular possum visitor was very bold (and hungry, we think) and visited us just after recess. The Stage 1 Wali class (Wali means ‘possum’ in Dharug language) were delighted to see the possum and had lots of expertise to share with the other children. We think our resident possum should be named Wali and they are investigating why a nocturnal animal is so intent on visiting us in the day. Perhaps Wali knows our school hours?

An evidence-based approach to learning includes learning in environments that are natural and provoke wonder in children. With our school nestled in a National Park city, we are blessed indeed. Our students are regularly learning outside and our teachers are looking for more and more opportunities to take advantage of the ‘outside classroom’. We also respectfully bring it inside – Kindergarten recently exploring Maths concepts with things they had collected on bushwalks at Wentworth Falls and Springwood. This kind of learning feels playful and exploratory, while also promoting a respect for the environment. I look forward to sharing more and more about this kind of learning with our school community, although I know that very often our children come home and tell parents first!

This week both campuses reflected on the question “What makes a Grammar kid?” in our well-being focus at assembly. Being respectful was the topic that Stage 2 Garaabara and Stage 1 Wali presented on, and it was wonderful to hear about the children understanding this concept. Respect for ourselves, for others, for our things and for our environment are all important lessons learned in the Junior School.

Mrs Rachael Newton

Head of Junior School

Junior School Basketball

Term 1 Week 3

Mrs Lori Gerrard