Junior School News

2024: Celebrating a Year of Growth, Achievement, and Community 

As we reach the end of 2024, it’s inspiring to look back on a year full of accomplishments, growth, and the vibrant spirit that makes Glenroy College so special. Together, we’ve created a supportive community that celebrates every milestone, large and small, and strives to bring out the best in each of our students. 

This year began with our Year 7 Orientation—a fantastic start for our newest students as they joined the Glenroy family. From day one, they embraced the core values of Integrity, Respect, Achievement, and Teamwork that guide us as a school. The introduction of the ‘Ready to Learn’ packs set a positive tone, equipping students with the essentials they needed to thrive in every classroom. The commitment to learning and growth shown by our Year 7s—and all year levels—has been truly inspiring.

In 2024, we placed a strong emphasis on learning beyond traditional classroom walls. Programs like ‘Future Healthy Selves’ week saw our students exploring health, well-being, and career options, with memorable excursions to Victoria University and Melbourne Polytechnic TAFE. These experiences opened doors to new ideas and goals, setting the stage for our students’ future paths. 

Our SWPBS (School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support) program, highlighted by the Glenroy Gold Cards, rewarded students who consistently exemplified our values. The program has created a positive and encouraging atmosphere, and our Gumbuya World celebration, and Luna Park excursion, were a joyful way to cap off the hard work and dedication shown throughout the year. It was a day filled with laughter, teamwork, and a well-deserved sense of pride. In every year level, students have achieved remarkable academic and personal growth. 

The Year 9 Pathways Program guided students in exploring careers and setting goals, and our Junior Sub School students engaged in everything from hands-on science experiments to exciting snow trips. Special mention goes to our CU program partnership with Swinburne University, where students recently participated in their gown fittings for graduation—an inspiring moment that celebrated their efforts and dedication. 

This year would not have been possible without the incredible support of our entire Glenroy community. From parent-teacher conferences to the many daily interactions in our school hallways, families, staff, and students have come together to create an environment where everyone can thrive. We are so grateful for the contributions of every individual who helped make this year a success. 

As we look back on 2024, it’s clear this has been a year of shared successes, meaningful connections, and many moments of joy. Thank you to our staff, families, and students for the passion, commitment, and kindness you bring to Glenroy College. Each achievement is a reflection of your hard work, and we couldn’t be prouder. 

With the momentum of this year, we look forward to building on these successes as we enter 2025, confident in the bright future that lies ahead for Glenroy College.” 

Ryan Lok 

Junior Sub School Leader

Success with Glenroy's Engage Program

The Engage Program (EP) for year 8 and 9 ran throughout Semester Two and focused heavily on engaging students through hands-on learning, individual and group projects, and building upon skills in literacy and numeracy. 

In Term 3 the EP spent some time in the kitchen – students wrote recipes and then created them in a practical lesson. For their first meal, students recreated their favourite acai bowls. Following this, the class followed one student’s family recipe and recreated their own HSPs. 

The class utilised these hospitality skills in our morning check-in class. Students arrived to school for period 1, where they would make toasties and hot chocolates and discuss their readiness to learn.

The EP class also completed many hands-on activities and challenges. Students were given the challenge to create the fastest balloon powered car, using only a bottle, caps, straws, and a balloon. Students tested their critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills as they worked in teams to create the fastest car. Next, students were put to the challenge of creating the longest marble run. Students worked together using paper, tape and objects around the room to create the longest marble track. Some students spent time in the woodwork room and applied the skills they developed in their numeracy lessons, to a woodwork project building a lamp. Students were supported to correctly use tools and create their lamp bases.

Freya Summers

EP Co-Ordinator

Year 7 Classroom trees

This year our year 7 were part of a classroom project showing their strengths and growth in the intrapersonal, interpersonal and cognitive domains of learning based on the work of Michael Anderson and Miranda Jefferson. It has been inspiring to watch our classroom trees ‘grow’ as our students built their language and confidence to share their understanding of themselves as diverse learners within a wider learning community. We are excited to welcome our 2025 year 7s who added the first leaves to their new classroom walls last week as part of their orientation program. 

Claire Feeley

Leading Teacher

MCG excursion

Ms Nelson, Mr Woodbury and 8C went to explore the MCG. We had a tour of the stadium and grounds for one hour, half an hour in the museum and then went into ‘game on’, a hands on experience.

Ms Nelson taught 8C for Humanities and Personal Learning, whilst Mr Woodbury had them for English. We had many conversations in class about sport, specifically AFL, and often discussed what it took to be an elite player or just someone who loved the game and wanted to improve their own skills in their chosen interest. The similarities between coaching and teaching was not lost in these discussions. If you want to learn you must practice your skills……………

We had a fun day and a good time was had by all !!

Regards,

Ms Nelson.