Junior School 

From the Head of Junior School

Junior School Interhouse Athletics Carnival

This week's Junior School Athletics carnival had all the elements you would hope to see in a House carnival. For a start, the weather was kind to us……well mostly. There were happy faces, bright colours, cheering spectators, lots of ribbons, a few tutus, laughter and all the athletic events too! 

For some students, this is their favourite day of the year; they’ve been preparing and dreaming about their races, set goals and determined to achieve them. For others, it's just a great day with their friends. The best two quotes I heard on the day capture these two perspectives beautifully.

If I come second in each of the field events, all I need to do is finish top three in the track events and I’ll win age champion.

My favourite event of the day is the in-between events.

The first quote is calculated determination and focus, the second is delightfully comfortable in their own social fulfilment from the day. Both wonderful, and both to be celebrated in a House carnival.

The programme is a full day, starting with Years Three to Six running their sprint events (70m/100m), followed by the Field event rotations of Long Jump, High Jump and Turbo Javelin. 

By mid-morning, the Early Childhood Centre classes (Kindergarten to Year Two) join the event and begin their Games (Tunnel Ball, Under/Over, Egg and Spoon, Bag Relay). 

These are equally lovely for the spectators and students, lots of cheering and smiles - there’s a great carnival atmosphere about them. 

Once the games are complete, the programme moves back into the track events with 400m, 200m and our younger students run the 50m/70m sprints. This is a wonderful moment for every student to run their own race, experience the challenge and fun of a track event in front of a cheering crowd. The programme concludes with a quick game of Tug o War for the ECC students, and relays for the Years Three to Six. The Tug o War was lots of fun and bragging rights this year going to Baudin House for the strongest House. The relays were a fitting finale to the day, with each House experiencing a win across the different age groups. 

Lastly, the presentation, all of the Age Champions were announced and recognised before their peers and families. In some age groups this was a very close competition with only a matter of 1-2 points separating 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th which gives a great indication of how tight each event was throughout the day. The final presentation is the overall House shield, this year's winner being Mokare House. Captains from Mokare, Matilda Leov and André De Giambattista spoke beautifully after receiving the shield, thanking their House mates for their efforts, congratulating all the students for a wonderful day of competition and thanking parents and teachers for their support throughout the day. 

Mr Stephen Berryman, Junior School Physical Education and Sport Coordinator is to be congratulated on his organisation of such a great carnival. A fantastic day was had by all, and then as if perfectly timed at 3.10pm the rain began to fall, well done Mr Berryman!     

Year Two Celebration and Year Three Camp Sleepover

These two very special occasions are being held this week. Year Two Celebration on Thursday 3 November, at the time of this publication being released in fact. The Year Three Camp sleepover at school will be on Friday 4 November. A write-up from both of these events will be included in next week's Anchor.

Looking ahead into next week

The Interschool Athletics team will represent Great Southern Grammar next Tuesday 8 November - letters to squad members will be sent to families this week from Mr Stephen Berryman.

Albany Show Day next Friday 11 November will be a pupil free day. 

In-term Swimming Lessons

Further ahead, later in the term, all students from Pre-Primary to Year Six will be participating in daily swimming lessons over a two-week block from Monday 21 November to Friday 2 December. Students will start the day at school, have a regular timetabled morning before travelling by bus to the Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre (ALAC) for their lessons, either at 12.45pm or 1.30pm before travelling back to school in the afternoon. More information around specific class times for their lesson will be shared in the coming week. Parents are welcome to collect their child directly after their swimming lesson at ALAC if that is more convenient. 

Warms regards, and appreciation,  

Mr Ken Raven | Head of Junior School

Year Six Transition Peer Meetings

As part of the transition into Year Seven, the current Year Six students have had a range of short information sessions about 'How to Survive Y7' with the current Year Seven Class Leaders.

These sessions were held each morning for a week and included a range of experiences such as the Year Seven students sharing their stories about their first week, hot tips on how be organised, a list of things to 'not worry about', a glimpse inside some lockers and a live tour of a Year Seven class during Homeroom.

These experiences are a great way for our Class Leaders to pass down their collective wisdom, well-earned knowledge and personal stories. They were also a chance for the Year Six students to build connections with their future Secondary School peers.

Mrs Penni Berryman | Head of Year Seven