From the Head of Junior School

While it is certainly not an ideal situation that we find ourselves in it was some comfort knowing that we were well prepared having successfully traversed the remote learning precipice earlier in the year. Our classroom teachers have adjusted their daily structures to ensure that learning is effective but not overwhelming and that there is a balance between teacher direction and support and not spending too much of the day on screens in highly directed lessons. We are very fortunate to have access to the technology that allows us to support the students face to face but we also recognise that concentrating on a screen while following a teacher directing a lesson quickly causes fatigue, both mental and emotional. I am very pleased to have received feedback from several families who have said that the slightly adjusted structure this time around has reduced performance pressure and allowed students to continue learning in the afternoon but in a more creative and self-directed manner. If you are finding that particular aspects of remote learning are still causing your family concern, please be sure to discuss this with your classroom teacher so that further refinements to the program can be considered.

The disruption to our Term 3 program is quite obvious and there are some elements of our program that, unfortunately, we will need to cancel. Wherever possible, however, we will be trying to reschedule events until later in the year or to develop alternate ways of delivering. An example of this was the move from a Junior School Production to a radio play. This latest disruption to our onsite learning has meant that the rehearsals for the radio play have had to move to remote learning as well. Never-the-less the teachers have pivoted and are continuing to assist the students in their preparation remotely. Another example is our SRC induction which would normally have occurred today. We are planning an online induction ceremony where our Junior School can welcome the Semester Two members. Each event or issue that arises is considered and then an alternative is planned. Only when there is no possibility of a safe alternative will we be cancelling events.

Finally, thank you once again to our staff, students and parents for coming together with such good grace under exceptionally trying circumstances to assist in the smooth transition back to remote learning. Those of us still at school, and those teaching from home, look forward to seeing you all back onsite, safe and healthy, hopefully in the not too distant future.

Mr Donald Thompson

Head of Junior School

SRC Semester 2

Congratulations to the following students on being awarded the position of SRC for Semester 2.

YEAR 3D	Rishiv Sasalu (Frew)	Norah Rao (Riley)
YEAR 3M	Oscar Minion (Aherne)	Bella Canobie (Jones)
YEAR 4D	Sebastian Ciancio (Aherne)	Indikah Hedges (Frew)
YEAR 4M	Toby Salter (Riley)	Harriet Williams (Jenkin)
YEAR 5D	Riley Davey (Millward)	Julia Starr (Frew)
YEAR 5M	Lachlan Edwards (Jenkin)	Kyah Spiteri (Riley)
YEAR 5V	Thomas Seipolt (Riley)	Varley Bobart (Millward)
YEAR 6D	Jacob Murray (Jenkin)	Inaya Usman (Aherne)
YEAR 6H	Benjamin Hines (Frew)	Maddison McArthur (Riley)
YEAR 6M	Oliver McKenzie (MIllward)	Madeleine Ching (Frew)
YEAR 6V	James Peter (Jenkin)	Lucy O'Shea (Jenkin)

Little Scribe Mini Writing Festival

Last week our Junior School students from Prep to Year 6 were given the opportunity to be involved in the Little Scribe Mini Writing Festival. Students attended different workshops throughout the week with some amazing Australian Authors and Illustrators. The quality of Authors was excellent, and the students were glued to the continual work of the illustrators.

The Littlescribe Mini Writing Festival was an inspiring and exciting experience for our students. Students were taught skills to help improve and motivate their writing. Andrew Daddo, Stephen Micheal King, James Foley, Wendy Orr and Jackie French were some of the workshops that our students attended.

The student’s enthusiasm and excitement during the workshops were amazing. Their imagination and creative ideas flowed during the sessions.

Mrs Mardi Polidano

Library teacher

Dance to the Beat of Your Own Drum

Congratulations to the winners of the Girton Grammar Junior School Dance Competition 'Dance to the Beat of Your Own Drum'

The Dance to the Beat of Your Own Drum competition for Junior School students aimed to encourage participation in all genres of dance, and provide a platform for students to showcase their talent and have fun.

The Dance award winners are:

Rising Star – Belle Armour (1 Jenkin)

Best Dance Background and Costume – Mythri Kolluru (2 Jones)

Most Creative – Chloe Carter (3 Millward)

Outstanding Family Performance –Maya Dhanapala (3 Riley), Ashan Dhanapala (6 Riley), Viran Dhanapala (9 Riley)

Outstanding Cultural Performance – Hasini Balraj (Prep Riley), Harshil Balraj (5Riley)

Best Dance Costume - Sophia Dunlop (Prep Frew)

Most Engaging Performance- Siun O’Malley (4 Jones)

Most Confident - Saige Armour (3 Jenkin)

Participation Award - Archer Yuen (3 Frew)

Outstanding Choreography - Shanali Wickramasinghe (5 Riley)

Most Engaging Performance - William Jackson (4 Frew)

Outstanding Choreography and Effort - Ava Cossens (6 Riley), Maddison McArthur (6 Riley), Charli Hosking (6 Frew)

Thank you to everyone who participated. I thoroughly enjoyed watching all of the dance videos, and I was impressed with the level of effort.

Here is a link to watch the dance compilation video showing highlights from some of the winners.

Mrs Catherine Stagg

Reflection from 4D

On the first day of remote learning, 4D discussed what it is they were grateful for during home learning 2.0.

The students discussed home learning around the world and identified what gratitude is and how we need to show a genuine gratitude for what we have.

School Snapshot