Junior School

The Importance of Sports

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of spending two days in Melbourne attending the 2024 Victorian Country Week Hockey Championships with the Glenelg Region Hockey Association (GRHA) under 18 team. GRHA had six teams competing in Melbourne: boys and girls in the under 14, 16 and 18 competitions. College was very well represented in all teams. 

The Junior School was represented by Max Cameron, Hugo Cameron, Evie Templeton, Poppy Edgar, Imogen Johns and Hazel Johns. It was a hugely enjoyable two days. It reinforced to me the importance of sports in the life of our children. The great value of sport is that it teaches us to recognise the difference between winning and striving for excellence, the better but much harder achievement. More importantly, sports teach us how to handle failure, to get up and try again when we lose.  

The Glenelg teams were selected from a small local association. They played teams from Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepperton, Gippsland and the Goulburn Valley. These regional centres have huge populations in comparison to Hamilton. We certainly punched well above our weight. Sports are symbolic of life.  Life requires teamwork, discipline, resilience, respect, compassion, and character.  Sports can develop those skills to apply on the playing field and in life. Team sports such as hockey help children develop vital teamworking skills, such as clear communication, leadership, the ability to take feedback and adjust to the needs of around them, and an appreciation of the benefits in collaboration. While sports are, and should be, a means of staying fit, having fun, forming friendships, and a recreational endeavour, they also have a plethora of advantages when it comes to instilling skills that will prove essential in education, employment, and daily life.

 Children who play sports learn the importance of practice, of repeating the same tasks again and again in order to improve. On a more practical level, participation in sports requires organisation skills, remembering kit and fitting in practice around school and social commitments. On more than one occasion over the weekend I saw Senior School College students manufacturing time to complete homework and study between important games of hockey. Well done to all who travelled to Melbourne to be part of the weekend. 

“Sports do not only build character, they reveal it.” - John Wooden

Berry House Service

Congratulations to Berry House students, Mrs. Milich, Mrs. Cowland and Rev. Doctor Fiona Hill on a fantastic House Service on Monday. The theme of ‘Curiosity’ certainly resonated with those in attendance. We all enjoyed the singing, readings and presentations.

Condolences

The Junior School learning community sends its best wishes and heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Natalie Povey and family, on the recent passing of her mother Beth.

Semester One Parent/Teacher Interviews

The two-week window opens next Monday 27 May for parents to book 15-minute interviews with classroom and specialist teachers. Bookings can be made via PAM. Interviews can be in person or online via TEAMs. They will take place on Tuesday 11 June and Wednesday 12 June.

Whitlam Institute Writing Competition

Congratulations to Mi-Ha Kim (Year 6), Arya Bourchier, Livvy Bell and Gwyn Nettleton (Year 5) on entering the Whitlam Institute 2024 ‘What Matters’ writing competition. The girls chose a subject that mattered to them and compiled a persuasive piece of writing, outlining their best arguments. 

• Mi-Ha Kim- Facing Fears
• Livvy Bell- Endangered Species
• Arya Bourchier- Everyone Should Play Netball
• Gwen Nettleton - Animals Lost To Poaching

Inspired by Gough Whitlam's commitment to involving young people in shaping Australia's future, the What Matters? writing competition was open to school students in Years 5 to 12. Responding to the simple question 'What Matters?', entrants were free to express their views on any matter they cared about. Part writing exercise, part civics and citizenship activity, What Matters? was the perfect opportunity to empower students to raise their voices on issues that are important to them and know that their perspectives are valuable, no matter their age, background or viewpoint.   

Spotlight on Myrniong learning

Year 6 - As part of our Narrative writing unit, the students have chosen one of their character strengths and written a story based on the Mr Men and Little Miss books by Robert Hargreaves. 

We have had great fun applying the strengths to various problems each character might encounter! We have a few Mr. Zests, Little Miss Brave, Mr. Honest, Little Miss Curiosity and lots more. Each story has an important lesson, perhaps from overusing a strength or how a strength can help others.

SSV Division Cross Country

The Junior School cross country calendar of events has continued over the past fortnight. After competing successfully in our House event at Mirranatwa, a team of nearly 40 students competed in the Hamilton and District Sports Association Primary Cross Country Event at Lake Hamilton. The following students placed at this event, George Robertson, Harry Diprose, Johnny Fenton, Max Cameron, Elsie Dyer, Grace O’Sullivan, Evie Templeton, Ada O’Brien and Tayla Williams, and qualified to compete in the SSV Division Cross Country Championships in Warrnambool. Congratulations to our running team who admirably represented our College on this cold and wet day. 

Congratulations to George Robertson, Johnny Fenton, Max Cameron and Grace O’Sullivan will now represent our school at the SSV Greater Western Region Cross Country Championships in Warrnambool next Monday, 27 May.

Please return Athletics singlets

If you have a College Athletics singlet at home, please return it to the Junior School. We are now drawing to the close of athletics and cross country competitions and need to get all tops back in time for other events. I would be very grateful if all families could check to see if you have any tops lurking in the back of cupboards and could send back to school.

Louise Patterson

PE Teacher