Student News

Year 5/6 Canberra Camp – What a Week!

In the last week of July, the Year 5/6 students headed off to Canberra for five action-packed days of fun, learning and adventure. From the moment we arrived, there was so much to see and do!

We started at the National Capital Exhibition, where we discovered the story behind how Canberra was designed and built. At the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, we learned what it means to be an active citizen and how people can make changes in our democracy. A visit to the High Court of Australia gave us the chance to see the impressive courtrooms up close and learn about the history and powers of the court.

One of the highlights was driving past all the embassies and high commissions, spotting the different building styles that represented countries from around the world. At the Royal Australian Mint, we found out how coins are made and even got to mint our very own! That evening, we climbed up to Mt Ainslie to see Canberra’s sparkling night lights—it was definitely worth the walk.

Another big highlight was our visit to Parliament House. Not only did we get a tour and role-play how Parliament works, but we also got to have morning tea with our local Member of Parliament, Mary Aldred. After that, we checked out the Australian Institute of Sport and then spent the night at Questacon, where we explored loads of hands-on science and technology activities (and maybe screamed a little on the big slide!).

On Thursday, we had a very special and moving experience at the Australian War Memorial, starting with a wreath-laying ceremony before exploring the galleries. We were lucky enough to see the famous G for George Lancaster Bomber in action, which was incredible. To finish the trip, we visited the National Gallery of Australia to see some amazing artwork, and the Deep Space Communication Complex, where we learned all about space and Australia’s part in exploring it.

By the time we headed home, we were tired but full of new knowledge, memories, and stories to tell. Canberra Camp was an unforgettable experience—we laughed, we learned, and we had the best time together!

Ms Morrison

Grade 5 Teacher

Students Share Their Rotary Club Journey

Rotary Newsletter Article 

by Aurora S

What is the Rotary Junior Community Award?

The Rotary Junior Community Award also known as the JCA is a non competitive, Australian rotary program for the year sixes. You do not have to do it, it's a choice. It is designed to build community involvement and personal development. Students who decide to participate keep a diary of their activities, which are set by the sponsoring Rotary Club, and the program concludes in a presentation ceremony where they receive a certificate of achievement.

After receiving a Rotary certificate of achievement, you can use it to acknowledge your hard work, display it as a mark of personal and professional development, use it to showcase your leadership and community engagement on professional platforms, or consider donating to support the work of The Rotary Foundation

What do you do in Rotary?

Some of the things you can do include completing community service, a social experience, physical recreation activities, and skill development, as well as a spiritual or religious experience.

My experience with Rotary

Some things I found fun when doing the Rotary award was the arts because it was very fun to look at some famous paintings in real life. For my skill development, I did bracelet making and drawing lessons. Something I found hard was completing the book, but I did it. My favourite thing to do was cultural exchange where I got to learn about other people’s culture.

By Aurora S

Newsletter Article Rotary Junior Community Award 

by James B

This year, I participated in the Rotary Junior Community Award Program. During the program, I completed activities involving community service, physical recreation, social experience and skills development. 

For the community service activities, Oscar, Roy, Imogen, Raavi and I participated in volunteer work at the Trafalgar Tennis Club. This involved gardening, cleaning and dusting. We did these activities for 1 hour a week for ten weeks which helped me to learn quite a lot about gardening and how much work the volunteers put in to keep the tennis club looking clean.

As for the physical recreation activities, I attended and participated in tennis training weekly on Thursdays and Fridays for one hour each. This greatly improved my tennis skills and helped me and my tennis team to win the Baw-Baw Tennis Association Grand Final. 

For the social experience component, I attended six community experiences including the ANZAC Day commemoration march, a Trafalgar Tennis Club meeting, an interview with my friend Elisha about his culture, a Yarragon Combined Church service, the Tanjil Valley Art Show and finally, I investigated the Trafalgar Millipede and its habitat. These were all very interesting activities that I greatly enjoyed.

Finally, for the skills and activities section, I learnt how to play guitar. I practiced guitar for one hour a week for ten weeks. This immensely improved my guitar skills and coordination.

In conclusion, I found the Rotary Junior Community Award Program extremely fun and beneficial to my skills. I would definitely recommend the Rotary Junior Community Award program to any upcoming grade six students that want to build their skills and abilities to benefit both themselves and their community.

By James B

Thank You Letter from Trafalgar Tennis Club (courtesy of Catherine and James Bryant)

Hi Catherine

On behalf of the Trafalgar Tennis Club, I would like to express our thanks to you and the students you organised to assist with the cleaning and tidying up around the tennis courts recently. I understand this is part of the Junior Rotary Program and is a great way to introduce students to the value of community service.

Caroline was extremely pleased to see that a lot of her work had been done, and the clubrooms and surrounds were looking great. 

Please pass on our thanks to all the students involved. Their contribution to the club was greatly appreciated.

Kind regards

Sue Klemke - secretary, Trafalgar Tennis Club

💫TPS Assembly Awards 💫

🌟 CHAMPIONS ACROSS THE BOARD! 🌟 

Our Art achievers painted their way to success, our Most Valuable Players dominated their fields, and our Rotary Public Speaking winners found their voices and used them brilliantly! What a powerhouse group of students!

Footy Colours Day Reminder

A reminder that Footy Colours Day is happening next Thursday, September 18th.   Every student will be lucky enough to receive a special Footy Colours Day cookie, thanks to our Parents and Friends Committee.

From your Junior School Councillors and Mrs Sneddon.

Breakfast Club

It has been wonderful to welcome students and families back to Breakfast Club this term!  We have had so many students visit us in the mornings for delicious toasties, cereals and hot milos to help kick start their learning day.  We are so thankful for the many generous food donations provided by the community and from our sponsors - Foodbank, IGA Trafalgar, Bakers Delight Mid Valley and Gracie’s Bakery.

Due to these donations, Breakfast Club continues to be able to support families through the provision of Care Packages.  We remind families that our Traf Pantry can be found in the Gym Foyer and continues to be stocked with many excellent products, available to anyone - and they’re free!  If you would like to receive a Care Package or know of a family who may benefit, feel free to drop into our School Office, or see Mrs Marslen.

Donations of Milo needed, please!

Thank you again to all families who have generously donated tins of Milo to our Breakfast Club.  Any extra donations of Milo would be greatly appreciated to support our school community!  

Looking forward to seeing you for brekky!

Mrs Marslen

Breakfast Club Masterchef