Junior School, South Plympton

Looking ahead to Term 2 

Welcome back to Term 2. 

We trust that the break provided opportunities for rest, family time and a slower pace, and it has been wonderful to see our students return with enthusiasm and readiness to learn.

 The classrooms and playgrounds are once again filled with energy as we continue to build on the strong learning routines and positive relationships established in Term 1.

This term promises many rich learning experiences as students grow academically, socially and emotionally. Our teachers are very much looking forward to supporting each child as they continue to develop confidence, curiosity and a love of learning within our caring and purposeful environment.

A special highlight early in the term will be our Mother’s Day celebrations on Thursday, 8th May. We are very much looking forward to welcoming mothers and special caregivers into the school for our Mothers’ Day classroom visits, followed by Morning Tea. These occasions are always a joy, providing students with the opportunity to proudly share their learning and spend meaningful time with the important women in their lives. We value these moments of connection and partnership between home and school and look forward to celebrating together.

Our Year 6 students are excitedly preparing for their Kangaroo Island Camp in Week 3, an experience that consistently fosters independence, resilience and strong relationships. 

Later in the term, we also look ahead to our Junior School Musical. Students across the school are busy rehearsing, learning lines, practising songs and preparing class performances. We encourage families to keep the musical dates in their diaries: Wednesday 1st and Thursday 2nd July.

Thank you, as always, for the ongoing support you provide your children and our Junior School community. We look forward to a term filled with growth, learning and shared celebrations.

Liz Hinrichsen

Head of Junior School

Farewell to the beloved River Red Gum Tree

You may have noticed a big difference on-site this week. It is with mixed emotions that we have had to say farewell to the very large River Red gum tree on the south-west corner of the campus. Despite being recently inspected and pruned by our regular arborist, this year alone it still dropped four very large limbs onto the road and our Emmaus grassed playing field where students sit and play. This is why the corner of the grass playing field was roped off and inaccessible for students in Term 1. 

Under the ISO 31000 Risk Management Framework, another independent, senior Arborist subsequently assessed and classified this tree as being in the formal category of “Non-Tolerable”. Simply put, their assessment was this tree was indeed ‘sick’ and presented an unacceptable risk of harm as it will continue to randomly drop very large limbs from a significant height onto those below. As safety is paramount at Emmaus, this left us with no option but to farewell this tree. 

To show homage to this tree long-term, we have engaged a mobile timber miller to come on-site and slice the sizable trunk into usable redwood lumber, kiln-dry it for the next three months, and deliver it back to our Emmaus Tech-Studies department. 

Our Emmaus students will use this special ‘seasoned’ redwood for various furniture-making projects for years to come. They will take pride of place around the school grounds forever, memorialising this big, beautiful tree that provided shade for longer than this suburb has been developed. For your interest, the picture below links to a video of this tree being professionally brought down (quite a spectacle, indeed).

Executive Principal

Andrew Linke 

Yearbook Arrival

The students received their 2025 Yearbook this week! It was very exciting for the younger students to see their faces in a printed book for the first time. 

We hope you enjoy flipping through the pages and looking back on the 2025 highlights. Thanks to the staff, students and parents for their contribution to the Yearbook. A special thanks to Jasper for designing the front cover.

Year 3-6 South Plympton Cross Country

On Thursday 30 May, Year 3-6 students ran their hearts-out around the Campus block for an adjusted (and twice-rescheduled) annual Cross Country Event. 

Each student challenged themselves to achieve a personal best and showed perseverance in warm weather.

Photos below are are of the Year 5/6 Butler Class running through the check point and finish line. 

Congratulations to you all! 

South Plympton Mother's Day

Thursday 7 May (Week 2, Term 2)

8:00am - 11:00am

We warmly invite you to join us for morning tea to celebrate Mother's Day!🍵

Two photobooths will be in operation from 9:00am - 11:00am at the front of the school and we encourage you to take the opportunity for a photo with your child/ren.  

Morning tea will be for all Secondary and Junior School Mums, and the classroom visits are for Junior School Mums only as per the schedule on the poster below. 

We look forward to celebrating you!

No RSVP required

Please note: that morning tea is not for students, it's a special opportunity for our Mums to relax and be celebrated. 

Upcoming Events

Term 2