The Anchor

Junior School 

From the Head of Junior School 

The Junior School has felt a little quiet this week, and I suspect many households have been a little quiet too. The Year Six cohort are enjoying a week away at their camp to Rottnest Island this week, which we will have a full report in next week's Anchor including photographs. They are having a wonderful time and the weather is holding steady for them. 

 

This Friday is World Teachers' Day, and it feels entirely appropriate to acknowledge the amazing contributions our educators make to the school experience we all enjoy. I spoke with some students across the Junior School to get some insights from them about ‘what makes teachers special?’

 

Their responses make for lovely reading and if someone had asked me the same question when I was in Primary School I’d probably have said similar things, actually my responses today wouldn’t be too different either. Despite advances in technologies, curriculum, world events etc… the value of teaching and learning at its core is timeless.

 

Insights from our students:

  • “My teacher is really prepared, they have everything ready for us each morning”
  • “I like the way [the teacher] teaches us in an entertaining way, it makes the topic interesting and fun. The best bits are when [the teacher] is laughing really hard at their own joke and we don’t find it funny, but we laugh with them anyway because they find it funny!”
  • “I like it when [the teacher] knows when we need a break and plays a quick game or organises a ‘brain break’ before we get back to work”
  • “If there’s something I need to improve on, like Maths, [the teacher] explains what that is and which strategies will help me”
  • “They are fun and happy”
  • “We get to use lots of different materials and equipment, that makes it interesting”
  • “The themes are really interesting, every term is something different, what we are learning about now is……..” (student began talking about what they are learning about for 2-3 minutes, it was a lovely diversion in our conversation and a great example of a student immersed in their learning; well done teacher).
  • “[The teacher] says I’ve improved lots with my writing, I’m stretching my writing”
  • “It's fun when [the teacher] plays games with us"

I echo those comments from our students, and am fortunate in my role to see these examples lived-out each day. As a parent I am forever grateful that my own children share this experience with their classmates.

 

Whilst the day is called World Teachers' Day, I think we can extend that further to acknowledge all staff who work with students, they are all educators. 

 

Some common themes I can draw out from the student comments above are that educators:

  • Know and care for each student
  • Prepare for learning that connects with students
  • Creates a learning environment that is welcoming, fun and friendly
  • Use their professional judgement to progress students to their next level, getting into the ‘challenge’ or learning zone

So, a global ‘thanks’ from me and our students to all educators in our community and beyond. In whatever form of education you are involved with; at school, in your own workplace or at home, thank you.  The contributions you make extend well beyond the day, week, month or year. Education lasts a lifetime. 

 

With warmest regards, and appreciation,   

Mr Ken Raven | Head of Junior School 

Year One Post Office incursion

 

The Year One students have been learning about the Post Office this term and they have been busy writing and sending letters in the class Post Office. However, on Monday the real Post Office came to us, in the form of postie Justin on his Post bike, the Regional Mobile Post Van with Naomi and Elly and Delivery Centre Manager, Jason. 

 

In the Mobile Post Office Van, which visits regional country towns, students enjoyed stamping and posting the postcards they had secretly written to each other, taking turns to serve customers, and learning about the journey of a letter once it is posted!

 

Students then delighted in dressing up in the Post Office waterproof safety gear and helmet and had a turn sitting on the motorbike and beeping the horn to warn people and pets of their arrival. They also learnt all about different stamps and the maximum weight of a parcel that can be sent through the post (20kg!)

 

Thank you to Postal Manager, Annie Roberts and her staff for making this wonderful incursion possible.

 

Mrs Fiona Gouldthorp | Year One Teacher