Junior School

Footy Colours Day 

Footy Colours Day is a national and community fundraising campaign held during September each year. It has been helping children since it was first set up in 1995. The event is centred around raising awareness and funds to support kids living with cancer. The Junior School celebrated Footy Colours Day on Friday 15 September, ending the day with activities on the oval and displaying our footy colours at assembly. Special thanks to Lachie O’Connell and Jules Whitehead for organising the fun games on the oval. If you would like to contribute to this worthy cause you may do so here

Year 6 Leadership / Community Building  

As part of their personal growth and leadership skills development, the Year 6s had the opportunity to participate in visiting local ELCs and kindergartens. They assisted in a session that involved a story about a bear, a craft activity to make a headband with bear ears, and singing and dancing along to ‘Rock-a-bye your bear’. Over the course of Term 3, we made a total of 13 visits, so the Year 6s earned their holiday break! The feedback from the centres we visited was glowing. Here is a sample:

“We are so grateful for your engagement in our Kindergarten Community. We feel very privileged to be a part of these valuable connections with you, the School Leaders and Shelford. Your visit always has a lasting positive impact. In the afternoon after your visit, the children were recapping on the story and we continued to talk about the nurturing and kindness aspect of the story.”

“The children enjoyed the story time and especially the "bear ears!"

We wanted to share with you some of the special conversations at home time as families came to pick up their children.

" I made my own bear ears and a big school girl helped me put my ears on!"

" I'm a bear, rrrrr " Child making bear paws and with bear ears on.

" Vicky read us a story about a funny noisy bear!"

" Sheep helped the bear to sing."

" We sang the Wiggles together."

" The lion played the drums."

" All the friends helped the bear."

" Mum, we had big people helpers today for the bear!"

The morning was most memorable and the children showed so much delight in your visits. Please extend our thanks to your school leaders, it was really lovely to meet them.”

Junior School Friendship Bench

Last year, the Shelford Parents' Association (SPA) ran the Shelly Shark Tank competition. This competition gave students the opportunity to pitch innovative ideas that SPA would fund. The winner of last year’s competition was Alexandra C. In our final assembly for Term 3, Alex and the Service Learning Captain Olivia B, launched the Friendship Bench to the Junior School students.

When I was first trying to think of an idea for the competition, I remembered that I sometimes see students with no one to play with. I realised what we need is a friendship bench! Earlier this term, the bench was placed in the playground across the road. It is a place for students to go to when they are looking for someone to play with. Hopefully, the friendship bench will encourage students to spread kindness throughout our school.

Alex C Year 5

Well done, Alex! We are looking forward to a second bench being placed in our new playground before the end of the year.

The Prime Minister's Spelling Bee 

Last term, students from Years 3 to 6 participated in The Prime Minister's Spelling Bee. They were challenged to beat the clock and finish ahead of their fellow students across Australia. We are thrilled to share that Lili M (Y3) and Katerina B (Y5) were both named as State Finalists! Congratulations, you should be very proud of your achievement.

Independent Schools Victoria Poetry Competition

We are proud to announce that both Chloe Y (Y3) and Ariana F (Y5) received honourable mentions for the amazing poems below:

‘Journey’ by Chloe Y

Join me on a journey that I once had,

Under an oak tree, I began to dream.

I was a little poet, writing something big.

I exploded the vast Universe,

Where time and space bend and flow.

I marvelled at the expanse of Life,

Full of wonder and surprise.

I landed onto the Red Planet,

Where its high mountains loomed over me,

And the mysteries of Life buried deep below.

Here is Mars!

The future we hold, where our destiny is told.

I stepped into the wormhole, as circles held me tight.

Vanished into the past, I travelled through time.

A different world emerged,

With amazing creatures everywhere,

Untouched by humankind.

I took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet scent in the air.

Back on Earth, I discovered the miracles of Life,

From the sea to the sky,

New challenges unfolded…

Sitting on the Whale with the Snail,

We wandered across the wide oceans,

Following dolphins and whales’ haunting songs.

As their melodies faded, their voices drowned out.

Under the roars of machines and human chaos.

With the dragon as my ride and phoenix for my guide,

I soared high into the sky.

The view was bitter than sweet,

As the landscape sadly changed.

Forests were shrinking, some greens disappearing.

With countless thoughts, I wish this journey never ends,

I have so much to write and more to learn,

Feeling like a little poet, with a big brain,

My poem shall continue, as my dreams forever burn.

‘The dog ate my homework’ by Ariana F

A dribble of drool,

A furry fool.

A lot of slobber,

A wisdom robber.

Torn up books,

Suspicious looks.

One plus one? I have no clue,

But there was something in his poo…

Who invented electricity?

Ask the pup, not me!

Then the clock struck, it was time to go,

But I had nothing to show.

And so you see, I didn’t shirk -

The dog ate my homework!

Congratulations

Alicia N

Last term Alicia N in Year 5 participated in the 2023 Audrey Nicholls Awards ceremony. These prestigious awards are a celebration of excellence in dance. Alicia won the Phyllis O’Donaghue Artistry Grade 5 Award. She also participated in the Southern Dance Festival and the Phoenix Festival of Dance where she took out many 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in a variety of divisions. We are proud to share your fantastic achievement Alicia, well done!

Vicky Gemmell

Head of Junior School – Student Wellbeing and Development

Jacqui Sidaway

Head of Junior School – Curriculum and Innovation