Junior School

2025 House Captains

Thank you to all Year 6 students who applied for House Captaincy roles. We had very strong fields in each of our four Houses. The following students will be presented with House Captain badges at the Year 6 Badge Assembly next Thursday, 20 February at 11.20am. 

Congratulations to: 

🔴 Berry House - Matilda Mercer and Johnny Fenton

🔵 Laidlaw House - Elsie Dyer and Tommy Brown

🟡 Learmonth House - Lachie Sweeney and Ed Whinney

🟢 Young House - Adelaide Farquharson and Theo Horne

We view all Year 6 students as leaders in our school and look forward to their individual and collective leadership contributions throughout 2025.

Intensive Swimming and House Swimming

Today is the final day of our 2025 Intensive Swimming program. It has been a great success. I would like to congratulate all our students for the way in which they have engaged in the sessions in the indoor and outdoor pools over the past fortnight - well done. 

Tomorrow, we travel to Hughan Park Outdoor Pool for the 2025 Junior School House Swimming. The event will commence at 9.30 am, with the Prep to Year 2 demonstration events. The Year 3 to 6 events, 25m and 50m races, will commence around 10.45 am. Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 parents are encouraged to take their children home at the conclusion of the morning demonstration events. 

Our Parents and Friends will be running a barbeque, where sausage sandwiches can be purchased. We look forward to a great day of competition.  Best of luck to all competitors.

Scholars' Assembly

I had the pleasure of attending the Senior School Scholars’ Assembly on Monday. Old Collegian Professor Andrew Campbell was the guest speaker. Professor Campbell provided thoughtful messaging to the students about maximising their potential and the career opportunities they will be able to access. Musical items were performed, with incredible lead performances from Amelie Hiscock (Year 12) and Arshita Woosantia (Year 8), two students who started their musical journey at the Junior School. 

It always fills me with great pride to see Junior School alumni receive awards at Senior School for their academic excellence. 

Dux

• Year 11- Sophie Merrin
• Year 9 - Marianna Novikov 

Proficiency Certificates

• Annabel O’Toole - Year 11
• Finlay Hunt - Year 9
• Tom Templeton - Year 9
• Molly Walker - Year 9
• Yolanda ‘O’Sullivan - Year 7
• Hannah Young - Year 7

Prizes (Unit 1/2)

• French - Sophie Merrin
• General Mathematics - Skye Headlam
• Geography - Emma Donovan
• Music - Amelie Hiscock
• Visual Communication - Evie Kennedy
• Art - Minnie Walker
• Chemistry, Mathematics Methods and Specialist - Annabel O’Toole

Principal Commendation (Year 12)

• Nick Hoskyns

Peter Scott Award

• Sam O’Sullivan

Year 6 Badge Assembly

Our Year 6 Badge Assembly will be held next Thursday, 20 February at 11.20am in the Refectory. All Year 6 parents are invited to attend. We will be presenting 2025 leadership badges to all Year 6 students and badges to our 2025 House Captains.

GANBATTE

The summer break always provides an opportunity to ‘chillax’ and spend some time catching up on reading. One of the books I read was ‘Ganbatte - The Japanese Art Of Always Moving Forward’ by Albert Lieberman.  In the weekly newsletter, I will share some of the guiding principles of ‘Ganbatte’.

Always Do Your Best

Ganbatte is an encouragement to give your all in every situation. It means committing to the best of your abilities, regardless of difficulties or obstacles. This concept is not about perfection, but rather excellence in effort. Ganbatte promotes the idea of continually striving to improve and reach your fullest potential, in both small and large challenges.