Around the Junior School

SRC charity event

Throughout 2022, the Junior School have participated in many service learning experiences. On Friday 18 November, students had the opportunity to watch the Junior School staff in action as they participated in a ‘Marathon Madness’ charity event. Hosted by the SRC and Douglas House, students wore their house colours, had a sausage sizzle for lunch and cheered on their teachers as they competed in a race against one another, facing a range of entertaining obstacles and challenges. Houses raised money in order to determine some ‘disadvantages’ for staff in other houses. Ms Dodson wearing a blind fold while apple bobbing, Mrs Hayward only using one arm while shooting hoops and Mrs Milliken running in flippers are just a few examples of the entertaining disadvantages some teachers faced. Overall, $1200 was raised for Orange Can Assist. This is a local charity, where people, regardless of where they live in NSW, have equitable access to cancer treatment and care.

It was wonderful to see all the students so enthusiastic and excited about this charity event, and the contributions to the day were very much appreciated. We hope to make this SRC even bigger and better for 2023.

Miss Hazelton, Mr Tyack and the SRC team.

International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS)

The ICAS series (English, Spelling, Writing, Digital Technologies, Mathematics and Science) is designed to assess content knowledge, higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills. The content in these assessments are designed to test students deep understanding of a subject and provide a great opportunity for students to become familiar with exam procedures and be exposed to a variety of challenging questions across a variety of topic areas..

The following students have been recognised for their achievement in these exams:

English (Credit)

Aurora Everett
Zaro Jalal
Janette Proudford-Nalder

English (Distinction)

Prayan Dulal
Nick Strahorn
Leopold Wade

Writing (Merit)

Zaro Jalal
Zoe Strahorn

Writing (Credit)

Aurora Everett
Janagan Kandeepan

Spelling (Merit)

Andy Bell
Janette Proudford-Nalder

Spelling (Credit)

Aurora Everett
Janagan Kandeepan

Spelling (Distinction)

Zaro Jalal
Joshua Leung

Mathematics (Merit)

Benjamin Howe
Anna Kenny

Mathematics (Credit)

Andy Bell
Prayan Dulal
Max Kenny

Mathematics (Distinction)

Zaro Jalal
Zoe Strahorn

Science (Credit)

Louis Blyth
Zaro Jalal
Felix Knox
Zoe Stahorn

Digital Technologies (Credit)

Aurora Everett

Digital Technologies (High Distinction)

Zaro Jalal
Joshua Leung

Ms Amanda Dodson

Assistant Head of Junior School - Academics

Merit Awards - Term 4 week 3 and Week 5, 2022

K Paddington

Abigail Westcott-Super sentence work
Hugh MacMahon-Trying hard with his handwriting
Fergus Sinclair-Super sentence work
Elsie McLaurin-Fluent reading

K Caterpillar

Lachie Bell-Wonderful handwriting
Tilly Byrnes-Amazing sentences
Augusten Downs-Improvement in all learning areas
Stani Fatai-Always being an amazing friendship Ninja!

1 Elmer

Jessica MacMahon-Super sounds work
Fatehjit Singh-Marvellous Maths work
Elke Sawtell-Excellent ideas in SEL!
Dini Nanayakkara-Always thinking of others

2 Alcott

Edith Triggs- For kindness
Nick Rourke- Consistent effort
Nick Rourke-For effort and persistence
Lulu Widauer-For effort and persistence

2 Barty

Grace Monaghan-Making excellent connections within all learning experiences
Savidu Fernando-Fantastic work during spelling activities
Morgan Zinga-A creative, interesting, and informative topic choice for his independent data investigation
Kayley Lett-Actively applying herself to all class investigations with a smile on her face and a great learning connection to be made

3 Curious Creatures

Emmie Lawrie-Her positive attitude to all areas of schooling
Milly McLennon- Increased contributions to all class discussions
Alexander Coleman-Application in English
Phoebe Clinton-Application in English

3 Volcanics

Bella Zhang-Her amazing multiplication skills
Felix Knox-For the happiness he brings to 3V
Digby McGee-For being respectful during Remembrance Day ceremony
Tom Gibson-Always being considerate of others

4 Attenborough

Saxon Haynes-Asking insightful questions and posing interesting ideas in Geography
Henry Sawtell-Committing to his learning this term and extending his thinking
Charlotte Gurr-Writing a descriptive haiku
Daniel Hayward-Excellent problem-solving using volume and measurement

4 Phillip Parker King

Disha Prasad- Displaying a positive attitude to learning
Prayan Dulal- Excellent attitude towards learning
Jack Caro – Effort in all areas of school
Lachie Healey-Application to his learning
Grace Lowther-Application to her learning

5 Irwin

Vivian Meates-Assisting students with basket weaving
George Kilby-A positive attitude toward learning
Mia Martin-Her interesting stories in English
Adelaide Swift-Writing interesting paragraphs in English

5 Watson

Ewen Kerridge- Participation and achievement in Maths
Jazinta Jandera- Application and focus on writing tasks
Miller Byrne-Challenging herself in Maths
Samuel Marvasti-Improvement in multiplication

6 Goodes

Charlotte Williams- Her commitment to all class activities
Xavier Zinga- Being a positive friend and showing school values
Chloe Caro-Her excellent commitment in Mathematics
Pixie Harmer-Her efforts in writing her class novel
Alannah Bryan-Application of effort in all areas of her learning
Luca Johnson-Persistent effort in Mathematics

6 Mabo

Angus Sawtell- Engaging in all learning tasks with positivity and enthusiasm
Harry Curtin- His improvement in Mathematics
Ella Kerdic-Always looking out for the wellbeing of others
Harriet Blair-Always being organised and for showing great time management skills

Stage 3 Digital Technology

In Year 5 students will be using Spheros to power a boat of their own design and construction. In Area 51 sessions last week they learned how to operate and code the Spheros trying to make the Spheros travel exactly 1m. Students will now work at integrating the Spheros into their boat design to work as an engine for their seaworthy vessels.

CodeCamp Programs

Unfortunately our programs scheduled in December have been cancelled by the CodeCamp organisation due to staffing shortages.

The good news is, we will be running two new programs in early 2023 on Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 January. These are Ignite, a more advanced programming camp aimed at 7-12 year olds, and YouTube Creators for 9-13 year olds, learning to create digital content. For more information and registration details click on this link: School Holiday Camps near Belgravia, 2800 | Code Camp

CodeCamp Teaching Assistants

In Week 6 Mrs Fatai spoke with students in Year 10 and Year 12 Software Design classes about the opportunities and benefits available working as Teaching Assistants at CodeCamp programs throughout NSW. CodeCamp provide all of the necessary training online and students can gain paid work in the holidays, and even after school. To learn more or apply, students can click on the link High School Student Opportunities (codecamp.com.au) or scan the QR code below:

eSafety in 2023

eSafety is an important facet of the Junior School’s digital technologies program. Children are now exposed to potential online risks from an early age, with any app or game that supplies an avenue for communicating, e.g. a “chat” function , allowing others access to our children. We need to provide education on ways to stay safe online and provide strategies for dealing with tricky situations. During the year Mrs Fatai has presented lessons to every class about eSafety, addressing issues such as being SMART online and staying safe, cyberbullying, digital footprints and digital citizenship.

The Junior School is very excited to welcome back Cybersafety expert Susan McLean (Home - Cyber Safety Solutions) next year on Tuesday 28th March 2023. Ms McLean is a Federal Government certified eSafety presenter and is recognised as Australia’s foremost expert in cybsersafety. She will speak with Junior School Years 3-6 classes during the day, the staff after school and offer a parent session that evening from 6-7:30pm. Booking details for parents will be distributed in early 2023.