From the Head of Junior School

“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.”

Plato (427 BC – 347 BC)

Music can lift our spirits when we are down, can calm us when we are excited, can match our mood or change our mood. It can be both a complementary medium, adding value to a visual narrative or it can stand alone to create its own story. One of my first memories of the way music can complement a narrative was watching a movie and hearing the foreboding bass that increased in intensity as an unsuspecting swimmer drifted lazily across the surface of the ocean. While watching this movie I quickly learned that the music signified a monster shark lurking beneath. The music was so effective that well into my twenties this movie score played in the back of my mind whenever I was diving!

At our recent Junior School Ensembles Evening I reflected on how certain musical scores evoke an emotional response, for example, the score from a television program from our childhood. I also discussed that there are certain pieces of music that can provoke a physical response, for example, We Will Rock You which, when played at the event, inspired immediate foot-stomping and clapping. We also discussed how the combination of notes and the way they are played creates patterns that become familiar to us, patterns that define certain types of music within our culture. Music and performance at Girton is more than just entertainment. It is an important element of our educational program. We are very thankful for our talented Music teachers and for our parents who support their children’s musical journey through patiently listening to countless practice sessions and attending our performance events.

We would also like to extend our congratulations to our Junior School Performance Choir who were recently recognised with a Platinum award at the 2019 Victorian Schools Music Competition. This was the highest award that can be conferred at the competition. They have had a very successful year so far having been awarded a Gold Standard at the Bendigo Competitions last term.

Mr Donald Thompson

Head of Junior School

Girton's Got Talent

Friday 9th August saw the running of the hotly contested Girton’s Got Talent. Each year level had auditions that were judged by a combination of SRC students, House Captains and classroom teachers under very strict guidelines. One act per year level was selected to perform at Assembly. We saw the amazing talents of the Aerobic Team who perform and Ruben Fields who wowed the crowd with flaming knives!

Congratulations to all our year level winners and to Oscar Minion, Raffay Jeddi and Eleanor Jackson who were awarded the Performance Trophies.

Prep – Soifra O’Malley

Year One – Evie Kruger, Caroline Batters and Alice McIntosh

Year Two – Rafay Jeddi and Oscar Minion

Year Three – Marana Murray

Year Four – Sanali Wickramasinghe

Year Five – Ruby KerriganVale

Year Six – Eleanor Jackson

Please click on the above images to view the gallery

Girton's Got Heart

Friends of Junior School hosted Girton’s Got Heart on Friday 9th August at Fortuna Villa. It was a terrific night had by all with everyone donating to their favourite charity. The Silent Auction items were all sold, and many for over their value, which shows the wonderful generosity of our community. The evening raised over $6,000 for charity. These funds will be dispersed to the relevant charities over the coming weeks. Thank you to the parents in Friends of Junior School for their hard work getting this event organised. Friends of Junior School is about ‘Friends Raising’ and events such as this provide an avenue to promote friendships and connections for parents and families.

The Silent Auction items were all donated by local businesses who are loyal supporters of our school. Thank you to Bendigo Art Gallery, BMW, Cloque Boutique, Dispensary restaurant, Ulumbarra Theatre, Whitlocks Vineyard,Oliver Birch, Golden Dragon Museum, Body Shop, Swimz Bendigo, Tai Chi Massage, Bendigo Dry Cleaners, Renik Hair, Fernwood Fitness, Body Fit, Bendigo Tennis Association, Royal Mail Hotel, Australian Eucalyptus Store, Sandhurst Plastic Surgery, Global Chiropractics, Arnold Street Dental Clinic, Sutton Grange Winery and Silk Day Spa.

We would also like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to Paul and Lisa Banks of Fortuna Villa, Sutton Grange Winery and Balgownie Winery for their very generous and valued sponsorship of the evening.

List of Charities:

Alana and Madeline Foundation
Annie North
Australian Red Cross
Bendigo Family Financial Services
Bendigo Food Share
Blue light foundation
Centre for Non-Violence
Cure MND
Freewheeling
Lifeline Central Victoria Mallee
Long Gully Neighbourhood Centre
OTIS Foundation
R U OK?
Righteous Pups
Salvation Army Chill Out Van
Sea Shepard Conservation Society
The Grace Centre-Ethiopia
Zonta Birthing Kits

Please click on the above images to view the gallery

Book Exchange in the Junior School Library

Looking for your next great read? Ready to pass on books you’ve already enjoyed?

We are building up a Book Exchange for parents to share their preloved books. Check out or add to the items in the clearly marked ‘Parent Book Exchange’ cupboards behind the borrowing desk - anytime. Please help yourself.

Stay and read a while - you can usually find a quiet spot to indulge with a coffee/tea.

NB. Wednesday’s 2:15pm-3:15pm are generally student-free – a perfect time for a quiet read or a chat with like-minded readers before pick-up.

Tea and coffee facilities in the kitchenette.

If interested, also ask about our Parenting Resources while you’re here.

And don’t forget, we are open until 4:15pm daily.

Our students enjoy the library – you can too!

Production Update

Preparations for Mulan Jr are travelling well. Students in Year Two, Four and Six were fitted for their costumes recently, turning the John E. Higgs Hall into a buzz of excitement. Characters and dances are coming to life, sets are being built, photos are being taken and lines are being learnt each week as we draw closer to the performance. The leads and dancers were fortunate to attend a professional dress rehearsal with Arena Theatre at the Old Fire Station. Students thoroughly enjoyed the show and were treated to a Q&A session with the director and cast of Air Race.

Mulan Jr – The Capital Theatre Bendigo – 22, 23, 24 October – tickets will be on sale soon

Please click on the above images to view the gallery

Victorian Aerobic Gymnastic Championships

Congratulations to the following students who competed at the Victorian Aerobic Gymnastic Championships representing their club.

2nd place

Siun O’Malley - Level 3 Mini Individual

2nd place

Ana Karamaloudis - Level 6 Junior Individual

3rd place

Stephanie Carlson and Lily Georgous - Level 4 junior pair

Please click on the above images to view the gallery

Castlemaine Open Evening