Junior School News

From the Head of Junior School

I hope that all of the mothers in our school community were well taken care of last weekend and that each of our families got to spend time together for Mother’s Day. Along with the gifts that students selected from the Mother’s Day stall, students were asked to give their mothers or those women in their lives who support them another gift that cost nothing but hopefully meant a lot. Thank you very much to those parents who organised the Mother’s Day stall, particularly Kate, Tara, Sharon John and Tim who spent the best part of the day helping students select something special for their mothers.

New Bell Routines

This year we have been trialling a new bell system in Junior School that has music playing before the bell rings. This is to warn students that it is time to get ready for class. This week we have adjusted again so there is three minutes of music playing directly before the bell rings. Students have been instructed to move to their classes as soon as they hear the music. Once the music starts, they have three minutes to get a drink or go to the toilet before lining up for class.

The purpose of the change in bell routine is in line with the Science of Learning, in particular, developing efficient entry routines. Every year level has been developing their entry routines to ensure that students enter the class calmly and with a focus on learning. It also lessens disruptions by having students back at the class ready to enter together and then ready to start the lesson together. Teachers can start their lessons quickly with every student “tuned in”. Having students enter in a piece meal fashion is not conducive to an efficient learning environment. 

Parents can assist us to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of lessons by ensuring that their children arrive at school on time so they do not miss the introduction to the learning and so the teacher does not need to interrupt the flow of the lesson to re-explain to students arriving late. 

Congratulations

Congratulations to Liam and Matthew Woods, Eamon Primmer and Teddy Taylor who recently competed at State level in the Victorian 3 X 3 Basketball Tournament. The boys did very well playing right through to the Quarter finals where they were defeated by the team that went on to win the tournament. 

Uniform

Term 2 is the uniform changeover term. By now, your children should be wearing full uniform, which includes a blazer for Year Six students. Wearing the Girton uniform helps create a sense of belonging for every child. When we are all dressed the same, it reduces distractions and helps students focus on what really matters - learning, friendships and growth. 

Families play an important role in supporting this. By ensuring their child wears the correct uniform each day, parents and carers are reinforcing the school’s expectations and helping to maintain a strong, consistent and respectful environment for all students. This week we have been focussing on wearing the uniform correctly, including top buttons and ties done up and shirts tucked in. We would appreciate parents supporting us by ensuring that their children are arriving to school and leaving school wearing the uniform correctly.

We have had some of our older students experimenting with trends and trying out some of their own variations of the uniform. This week Mrs Bath addressed some of our Year Six students who had decided eyebrow slits would be a cool addition to the Girton look. We understand that students, particularly those rapidly heading towards adolescence, will want to experiment with personal style. However, while at School, Girton students are encouraged to express their unique personalities through their character, participation, achievements and intellect rather than their physical image. 

Girton's Student Uniform and Presentation Policy can be viewed here.

Traffic Safety

This week we have had a report from a member of the public of a family who were crossing the road unsafely on Vine St. Disappointingly, the report said that they were within 15 metres of the supervised crossing. We have also noted some parents double parking on Vine St or parking across the business or residential driveways to drop their children at school or when picking them up. Last week a parent was getting their children out of the car when another car started reversing, not realising that someone had parked very close to them in a non-designated space in front of one of the trees. While it can be frustrating to have to drive around the block to get a car park, convenience must never trump safety. We ask parents to please model safety to your children and cross at the designated crossings and please only park in designated parking spaces. 

Mr Don Thompson

Head of Junior School

2026 Twilight Movie Night

Have you ever sat at home on a Friday evening wondering what to do? Well not us because we went to the Twilight Movie night. There was popcorn, fairy floss, candy soft drinks and juice. Oh, there was also an amazing movie called 'Lilo and Stitch' with funny and lovable moments, especially when Stitch said "Lilo is cute and fluffy". It also had emotional moments in the end.

Best of all was the candy! I had like $15 worth of: Zappos, popcorn, drinks (Sprite!), Mentos and Smarties!!! All of this could not have been done without the help of the wonderful parents of the Friends of Junior School and brilliant students giving up their time instead of watching!! This was one of the best movie nights ever!!!

Kara Wang (6 Jenkin)

Year 4V: Thoughtful preparation for Mums and loved ones

In preparation for Mother's Day, Year 4V had a lovely morning reflecting on the special things our Mums and loved ones do for us. We took some time to share stories and create a keepsake bookmark for our Mums, with a little note to tell them how much we appreciate all the things they do for us.

Mrs Kelly Byron

Teacher of Year 4V

Spoilt for choice at the Mother's Day Stall

Once again, the Mother’s Day Stall was a glowing success, giving Junior School students the opportunity to choose a special gift for their mums and loved ones. There was a real sense of excitement as students carefully browsed the selection, taking their time to find just the right present. A big thank you to our Junior School parents and carers for organising such a special event. 

Year 5: ANZAC Reflections

Will be remembered... by Oskar Hall 5D

With heavy fear, they march, what to come, knowing not. 

The sky mourns for the coming years. 

The wind howls at the bullets and gunshots. 

The night turns red from blood and tears. 

With quiet worries, the drums bang with pride. 

We honor the soldiers that lie on the sand. 

Through the squelch of the mud, we remember who died. 

Their legacy is known all over the land. 

The sky watches the dead with sadness 

The soldier's blood was noble 

Their flesh was shot with madness 

They will be remembered... 

The Injured Medic by Vincent van Haandel  5D

I died saving the ones around me.  

I remember the days my comrades fell. 

I stood for all my brothers, dying in the process. 

The land was not covered in bodies but honour. 

The sky in sadness, not a single ray of sunlight. 

Around me were injured and dead.

I remember the cries of agony and pain. 

Begging to die, the gunshots, the bombs. 

I felt the air one final time. 

I stood for our country 

I fought for all the sad, trapped souls. 

I gave my life for the greater good.   

For Their Bravery by Margaret Yau 5D

With heavy hearts, the soldiers fought and died, 

The world forever mourns the things that they lost. 

Forever, they remain though others have cried, 

They gave their lives to us so we shall have hope. 

With quiet solemnity, the soldiers bid farewell, 

Their names were honoured but somehow lost in time. 

Though sometimes their warzone felt like hell, 

There is light in sadness, their legacy immortal. 

They marched forwards, fearfully but strong, 

They always stood alert, wondering when they'd die. 

They faced the enemy, though they knew it was wrong, 

We will remember them, their bravery not forgotten. 

Inside, they were scared, but outside they weren’t, 

They almost felt like this life was meaningless. 

Still, they fought, for their family and country, 

They dreamed of peace, everlasting peace.

Year 6: 'What Matters' Writing Competition

A group of Year 6 students recently entered a writing competition called What Matters, run by the Whitlam Institute. The competition invites students in Years 5 - 12 across Australia to share what matters to them through original writing of 600 words or less. Below are two examples of the stories submitted.

Melting Horizons by Yohan Shetty (6 Jenkin)

Ripples in a Silent Forest by Hasini Balraj (6 Riley)

Students give back: Easter Raffle funds for Bendigo Health

Last Term, the Student Representative Council (SRC) organised and held an Easter Raffle. We were very fortunate to have a lot of Easter Eggs, chocolate, chocolate bunnies and Easter-related items donated by the SRC students and Junior School Staff. 

From those generous and kind-hearted donations, we were able to put together 12 Easter Baskets as prizes for those lucky winners of the Easter Raffle! Many students brought tickets, some even bought more than 10.

From those very selfless actions of kindness, we were able to raise a total of $975! We were very proud of the amount we raised just by selling raffle tickets.

The SRC decided that a local charity would be the beneficiary of all the funds raised. As the Good Friday Appeal raises funds and supports the Royal Children's Hospital, it was finally decided that we would raise the funds to support the Children's Ward at the Bendigo Health Hospital, our local hospital.

The SRC staff contacted the fundraising staff at Bendigo Health Hospital to ask them what would be useful to make the time spent in hospital a little easier, more fun, and less scary for children of all ages. Later, the staff contacted us and gave us a list of suggested items to purchase with the funds.

During the recent school holidays, Mrs. Matthew and Mrs. Gibson kindly went shopping and bought the items for the Bendigo health Hospital. That includes such things as picture books, sets of novels, Lego, Hot Wheels, various board games, jigsaw puzzles, card games, art and craft supplies, building blocks, fidget toys and toys that suits children of all ages.

On the 1st of May 2026, Mr Shaun Spence, the Director of Fundraising at Bendigo Health, attended our assembly. Mr Spence gratefully accepted our donations and took the toys and books back to the Children's Ward to ensure that the unfortunate sick children in Bendigo have some brand-new toys to play with during their stay in the hospital.

We thank the empathetic students who kindly donated to the hospital and the SRC staff and students for their hard work.

Margaret Yau (5 Millward)

Girton's Aerobic Gymnastics Team set for state championship challenge

The Girton Aerobic Gymnastics Teams are currently preparing for the State Championships at the beginning of Term Three. Students are learning and refining two routines they will perform before a judging panel, with the aim of placing in the top five and securing qualification for the National Championships on the Gold Coast in September.

Our Junior School students train at school, supported by coaches from Palmers Gym, while Senior School students attend weekly training sessions at Palmers Gym each Thursday afternoon alongside the coaching staff.

Since Girton first began competing with a team of just two students, the program has grown significantly and will include 60 students in 2026. Over the years, the team has developed into a highly competitive program, performing alongside some of the best school-based aerobic gymnastics teams in Australia.

The strong sense of teamwork and support among students has been particularly impressive. Many senior students, together with our Year Six students, regularly assist at junior training sessions and contribute to coaching and mentoring younger team members. It is a pleasure to work with such dedicated, enthusiastic and supportive students.

Mrs Belinda Vernon

Shamrock Division Athletics 2026: La Birpa Athletics Track, Flora Hill

Despite a slightly wet and uncertain start to the day, a team of 58 of our Year 3–6 students represented the school exceptionally well at the 2026 Shamrock District Athletics Carnival held at La Birpa Athletics Track. Competing against students from White Hills Primary, Kennington Primary, and Strathfieldsaye Primary, our athletes delivered strong performances across a full program of track and field events, displaying excellent determination, sportsmanship, and team spirit throughout the day.

We achieved a number of impressive results, with several students qualifying for the Sandhurst Division Carnival to be held on Monday 14th September. Please see the table below for a full rundown of results. Qualification is awarded to students who placed first or second in all events except hurdles, team relay, and high jump where only one participant progresses. For students competing in the 8/9 age category, qualification is determined by comparing performances against the 10-year-old results. In these cases, an 8/9 age competitor must record a performance superior to the winning 10-year-old result to progress to the Division Carnival.

A sincere thank you to Mrs. Milner, Mr. Robertson, Mrs. Rowe, Mr. Doherty, and Mr. Hoyt for their support of students across the day. We also extend our appreciation to our Year 10 Senior School students, whose assistance and leadership throughout the carnival were greatly valued,

Congratulations to all students on a fantastic day of athletics and for the outstanding way they represented the school.

TRACK RESULTS

FIELD RESULTS

Mr Jarrod Epps

Teacher of Year 3M

Junior School Teacher of Physical Education

Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal in the Junior School

The Junior School Student Representative Council (SRC) will once again be fundraising for The Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal this year. A red piggy bank has been placed in each classroom, and students are encouraged to fill it with coins over the coming weeks. Loose change from home or lunch order change can all help make a difference to people in need within our community.

Students are also invited to bring along a non-perishable red food item to support the appeal. Keeping with the red theme, each year level has been allocated a suggested item:

• Prep – tomato soup 
• Year 1 – strawberry or raspberry jam 
• Year 2 – tomato sauce 
• Year 3 – canned tomatoes 
• Year 4 – baked beans 
• Year 5 – tinned spaghetti 
• Year 6 – pasta sauce.

Students step up - can you help too?

Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal - Bendigo

More than 200 Girton students have volunteered across Bendigo for this year’s Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal on Sunday 24 May 2026. We’re now seeking parent support to help on the day and make this incredible effort possible. Visit the Get Involved page for details on how to take part.

Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal - Castlemaine

Students and families are also invited to support the Red Shield Appeal in Castlemaine on Sunday 31 May. Volunteers can register directly with the organiser, with opportunities for Community Service recognition available. Visit the Get Involved page for details on how to take part.