From the Head of the Junior School

Junior School students have been having a wonderful time learning about culture in recent weeks.

Madame O’Hara has been taking full advantage of the excitement around Tour de France and the Olympics being held in Paris. Students have been learning all about these events and have become very excited about our French language learning here at school.

Le tour de Montagnes Bleus was a roaring success. Students had a marvelous time on their bikes up at Wentworth Falls. The Early Years students were participants for the first time and the Primary students cheering them on was one of the highlights of the day. Le tour de Vallee was unfortunately postponed due to rain this week, but we look forward to the race around the Springwood campus next week.

Another cultural highlight was the visit from the Japanese Exchange students that happened this week. Our Senior School hosts Japanese students each year and this year, we really made a day of it in the Junior School. Our Springwood students traveled up to join with their Wentworth Falls friends for a day learning about Japan and Japanese language and culture.

A highlight for us all was being welcomed by Yui, Saya and Koharu, three students from Springwood who shared their Japanese heritage and language. I am so proud of how these students spoke in English and Japanese in front of the whole Junior School and all of our guests. That’s ‘Stepping Forward’ in courage! 

Thank you to Mr Forsyth, Mrs Evans and the visiting guests (including Mrs Negishi for her expert sushi making!) who made the day so worthwhile for our students.

Kind regards,

Rachael J Newton

Head of Junior School

Tour de Montagnes Bleues

On Friday 9th of August we had our wonderful Tour de Montagnes Bleues bicycle race.

The inaugural Early Learning races were a huge success and participants were cheered on enthusiastically by our older students. All of our races were exciting and our beautiful school grounds were perfect for the occasion. 

Everyone enjoyed our delicious chocolat chaud / hot chocolate and croissant treat and the costumes were imaginative and fun. Very a la mode! All students took part in the prize presentations in the JSW hall and winners and runners up received their certificates and baguettes. 

Many thanks to Mrs Rachael Newton, to my student helpers, to maintenance staff for their help with the course, to JSW staff for supervision etc., to Mrs Arrell for her invaluable help, to Mrs Bonnie Mamo for her expert hot chocolate skills and to Mr Laffin for his participation in Stage 3 race!

Vive Le Tour! 

🇫🇷 Madame Deirdre O’Hara

French Teacher