Junior School

Term One and Easter School Holidays

As we come to the finish of a successful Term One at the ELC and Junior School, I want to take a moment to reflect on the hard work and dedication everyone has shown throughout the past 10 weeks.  It has been an incredibly busy time, in and out of the classroom, as well as a period of growth, learning, and accomplishment.  We continue to value effort and achievement in our learning community.

Easter is a time of renewal and reflection.  I encourage each of you to take this school holiday time to rest, recharge, and spend quality time with loved ones. I hope that this holiday period brings you peace, joy, and a well-deserved break. I look forward to seeing you all back on Tuesday 22 April, ready to continue our 2025 journey. 

Term Two Uniform

As with previous years, the Junior School students will be given our usual two week ‘period of grace’ to change from summer to winter uniform. All students are required to be in winter uniform for Monday 5 May (Week 3). 

ANZAC Day Services

ANZAC Day falls on the first Friday of Term Two. All Junior School students are invited to represent the College in the Hamilton ANZAC Day March, commencing at 9.30 am outside Gray Street Primary School. Both the Senior and Junior School will hold an ANZAC Day Service on Thursday 24 April. The Junior School Service will be at 11.20am in the Refectory. Our Year 6 class will run the Service. All parents are most welcome to attend.

College Value Art Competition

Congratulations to all students who submitted entries for the College Values Art Competition. With so many talented artists participating, it was a very hard decision. 

Congratulations to the following students’ who will see their artwork appear on posters around school:

• Eadie Tigges, Year 2

• Rosie Bell, Year 3

• Amina Barrera, Year 5

• Alinta Margetts, Year 6

Junior School Captains Corner                                   Year 5/6 Camp Reflections

Livvy Bell - ‘On Monday of Week 9, Years 5 and 6 went to The Outside Inn on the Wannon River. I can’t say much about the first day because I was at home sick, but I heard the games on the giant rock-climbing tower were really fun. On Day Two, I was put into a cabin with Scarlett and Arya. I don’t have a highlight for Day Two, it was all so fun! If I had to pick, it would probably be canoeing on the Wannon River and rock climbing. I was in a canoe with Scarlett and, we had to navigate around corners and through obstacles like shallows and reeds. At the end of canoeing, we played a game and went swimming! We got to rock climb. We had to climb up a 17m tower that had a string of dress-up clothes hanging from the top. We had to try and put them on while climbing up, the belayer holding us suspended from the rope! At the top of the tower, there was a bucket of lollies, which we had to try and reach. I didn’t make it to the top, but Gwyn threw down a lollipop for me. Phew! On the third day, we did the last two activities we hadn’t done yet. For my group, games on the mini basketball court and frisbee golf. My favourite game on the mini court was where we had to try and fit as many people as we could on two wheelie boards and be dragged around by another person in under 30 seconds! We managed 7 on two wheelie boards. I came fifth in frisbee golf, but there was a twist: we did all the holes in reverse! I had a wonderful time on camp and I’m sure most of the Year 5 and 6 students did too!’

Hugo Cameron -‘As we got off the bus, a feeling of great excitement rushed into our bodies. We all hauled our bags into our cabins and enthusiastically waited for our first taste of The Outside Inn. Over three days, we were challenged to play a competition on top, in, under and around a 17-metre-high tower, rock climb that same tower, canoe in the Wannon River, be the fastest 6-person bike, build Lego bird feeders, play intense games of frisbee golf and do incredibly difficult challenges on a basketball court. The Outside Inn topped that all off with the most delicious food! Getting back on the bus, we have gained confidence in each other and ourselves and, learnt that we can meet any challenge! A big thanks to Mr. Hawthorne, Mrs. Bell, Mr. Nelson, Josh Bell and all the staff at The Outside Inn for this amazing experience.’

Sports update

Congratulations to Sammie Price and George Whinney who competed at the recent Greater Western Region Swimming Championships in Warrnambool. It was an incredible effort to make this level of swimming and we are proud of Sammie and George who represented our school.

Congratulations to our HDSA Tennis Team; Ed Whinney, Scarlett Hawker, Maggie Wallis, Violet Shrive, George Whinney, George Robertson, Bobby Giles and Fred Hawker. Our school was very well represented during the Hamilton tournament and I was so impressed with the strong tennis performances and positive sportsmanship displayed all day. Congratulations to Violet Shrive who defeated Maggie Wallis in the Girl’s Grand Final and to George Robertson for making the finals card for the boys.

Louise Patterson

Junior School PE and Sport