Junior School News

From the Head of Junior School

Welcome back to the final term for 2019. The weather has almost ‘rounded the final straight’ toward summer and while we have still had some wet days, there have been others where the sun has been out in full force. It has prompted me to provide a reminder regarding the importance of taking precautions against UV radiation. At this time of the year it is important for children to remember their sun protection routines as the level of UV radiation is higher. Sunsmart Australia recommends that sun protection is worn From September to April which is when the UV index is usually at its highest. For us Terms One and Four are ‘compulsory hat’ terms when outside. We provide sunscreen for students and recommend that they also carry their own supply in their bags. Students are also permitted to wear sunglasses if they wish. It is recommended that parents check to see that any sunglasses worn meet or exceed Australian Standards. Sunglasses with a rating of EPF 10 (Eye Protection Factor) are also suitable. Those students who do not have hats are redirected to shady play areas. This term we also welcome 3 new students to our Junior School.

Last Thursday as I was driving back from the Year Four camp at Hall’s Gap I reflected on how students at our school approach challenges, how we feel after we have met a challenge and what impact it has when others support us in our attempts to challenge ourselves. This reflection was as a direct result of watching and participating with our Year Four students as they tackled abseiling on camp. What impressed me the most was not the activity itself or the bravery of the students (and teachers) as they walked out over the edge of a 20 metre drop but rather the way that the students at the bottom of the drop, and those waiting for their turn at the top, supported those who were coming down. They called encouragement, they told their friends how well they were doing and they cheered and clapped as each of their friends made it to the bottom. Once there it was high five’s all around. As we were waiting for each pair to rappel down we each spoke about how we were feeling emotionally and physically. It was interesting to hear what each person was feeling when they achieved their first descent and then discuss how that made those who had not yet gone down feel. The overwhelming message was that the support of their friends made a huge difference and that the feeling of achievement was exhilarating. At school, at home and in our daily lives we can take a lot from experiences such as these. A kind, supportive word from a friend, teacher or family member can make a big difference when someone is tackling a personal challenge. I urge all of our Junior School Community to look for daily opportunities to support and encourage each other.

Mr Donald Thompson

Head of Junior School

Lake Day 2019

Students visited Lake Neangar for a day of friendship, sun and exercise.  Please enjoy student stories about their experience: 

Lake Day here we come.

We had laps to do, money to raise, fruit to eat (yum) and fitness activities to do.

We saw baby ducklings. They were so cute and some students got chased by a duck. Run students run.

The Year Eight helpers were amusing to watch.

I had a whale of a time at Lake Neangar.

Levi Brain Year 4V Millward

We had lots of fun at Lake Day. We ran as many laps as we could and we had fruit breaks.

All of us got to see some baby ducklings. Many older people were playing with remote controlled boats.

Some Year Eights were helping with the activities. I did six laps which was six kilometres. I was surprised when I did a lot of laps.

Yaduraj Chopra Year 4V Jones

When we got on the bus to go to Lake Day, I could feel this would be a great day. I saw ducklings, water hen chicks and more.

I got in some exercise and I had a lot of fun.

I would like to say thank you to Mrs. Gibson, Mr. Doherty, the Year Eight helpers and to the people who donated all of the fruit.

Charlotte Hindson Year 4V Frew

Lake Day was so much fun. We got to walk around Lake Neangar in beautiful sunshine with our friends. It was a great day with lots of fun activities to do. There were fitness stations, some skipping ropes, hula hoops and frisbees to play with.

We were lucky enough to have some Year Eight helpers who were encouraging us along the way. We kept a tally of laps and altogether the Junior School staff, students and parents walked or ran 1272 laps which is 1272 kilometres. Year 4V completed 110 laps.

It was a fantastic day.

Phoebe Rathjen Year 4V Riley

Year 4 Camp

We arrived at camp and we met a guy called Nicko who gave us a safety briefing. After that we found out who was in our cabins. In mine, I had Charlotte W, Freya S, Isabel W, and Kyah S Freya was very noisy then we went for our afternoon activities. I did bush cooking and archery.  Our leader was Jordan. He showed us how to do it then we did it for ourselves. He helped me for my first try then he had to leave, and Charlie helped me. After archery we did bush cooking. We were split in to three groups. My group made baked banana with chocolate chips and marsh mellows it was so yummy. That evening we played the girls vs boys soccer match the boys won. For dinner we had chicken schnitzel and for dessert we had jelly then at 8:00 we had cake for supper. The next day I went to Bram brook we painted boomerangs and then we got to throw some and I lost my hat, but I found it again for lunch we had ham burgers YUMMY.  That afternoon we went to Venus Baths we got to fill up our drink bottles, play in the water, and have a duck race then we got to explore with our leader Tim a bit more. I nearly fell in the water, but I saved myself. For dinner we had roast beef it was really yummy for dessert we had chocolate mousse YUM. That night we watched Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory luckily, I got a golden ticket, so I got to sit in the front then we had cake for Gracie’s birthday. The next day [last day of camp] I went abseiling. I was a bit scared but once I got to the bottom, I felt like I had succeeded. After abseiling we went back to camp. We had lunch then it was time to say goodbye Camp Grampians. 

Zarah Chimunda Year 4M

When we got off the bus, we had a safety briefing and ate our lunch. Then we discovered who was in our groups. In my group was Natasha, Heidi, Misha, Lilly G, Eliza, Eve, Charlotte G, Charlotte H, Lachlan E, Elliot, Will and some other people.  We went to an Aboriginal Cultural Centre. We saw a video that showed how Halls Gap was made! Then we painted Boomerangs. After that we played the digeridoos. When we were finished, we went outside to eat our fruit. Then we headed back to Camp. We were the first group to be back so we went to one of the breakout rooms. Some time later I headed to the other breakout room. There Charlotte W, Ethan and Stephanie were building a tall tower. After it was finished Ethan kicked it and it FELL WITH A BANG! When we cleaned up, we went to our Cabins. In my cabin was Varley, Ariya, Natasha, Shanali and Misha. We had a girl VS. boys’ soccer match. The boys won NOOO! After some time, we had dinner. We had Chicken Schnitzel, Chips and salad YUMMY! For dessert we had jelly YUCK! (I don’t like Jelly.) We also had a night walk we saw kangaroos and birds. When we came back to Camp, we had supper we had a piece of cake YUM! I brushed my teeth and went to bed.

Akshita Indulkar Year 4M

Year 4D recently returned from camp.  They were challenged to write about their time and experiences their without using the letter “S”

Can you spot an “S” in any of their recounts?

I can do it I thought! I am having so much fun. I am going down the cliff! I felt amazing and brave. I had felt worried, but I don’t know why! I fell calm and relaxed now that I am halfway down the cliff my feet are wide apart. I AM DOING IT! I’m at the bottom I feel amazing. I want to do it again. At camp the food can not be improved we had chicken and more than one chip. I Recommend going on camp. You will have a lot of fun and you will enjoy your camp experience.

Eve Lacey 

On day one when we got to Girton we put our luggage underneath a large vehicle. A lot of people could fit in it. Later in the day we went to Ararat! We waited there for Half an Hour to have morning tea. And have a play in the playground. After having morning tea and a bit of a play we went back on the large vehicle going to camp. Oh, and the camp native name is Gariwerd! When we got to Gariwerd, the camp we had this guy called Nick, he talked about a briefing to keep everybody out of trouble and to not get hurt. Then the people who were in our cabin got called out. I am pretty happy with who was in my cabin.

I Wrote about the start of camp.

Aria Marwood

INTRODUCTION

I am ready.  the cliff, the helmet, the buckle on my leg.  I am ready indeed!!

GOOD MORNING!!

I awoke to the beautiful circle on the earth painting out our cabin.

At the table Mr F called up our table for breaky, cereal and warm bread. YUM!!

THE ROCK

We arrived at the rock and went down.  Vivi counted me going and told me I didn't take long.

I LOVED CAMP!!

Bianca Schelosky

Camp recount

In the morning we went to a river that ran down the mountain. We had a boat race where we got dead flora from nature to make our boat. Lachie and I were put together to make our boat. Our boat became named by Lauchie. He named it the Wrangler. The Wrangler beat Jerry but got beaten by the Barkinator two! After, we went for a hike up the mountain. We also did the toe challenge. We had to put our feet into the freezing mountain river. I won toe challenge because I beat everyone who competed in the challenge.

Harshil Balraj

On the tenth of October ted was climbing up the wall of our cabin and tom opened the door on him and he fell down and landed 20 centimetres from Harry’ bed. It was really funny. For dinner that night we had Chicken Parma. After dinner we went to bed. On the eleventh of October my group went to archery and ted got a ten. We got to cook damper too. For lunch that day we had a ham roll each. When we finally arrived in Bendigo, we got greeted by our parents even though we were happy to be home we were glum to leave camp.

Will deVries

CAMP GARRY-WERD

 On the way there we arrived at Ararat. We had morning tea and then got going again.

When we got then we got ready for our activity. I had Mr F as my activity teacher. Then we got on a truck and it took us to the rock claiming. I did not do it but it looked amazing.

 Maggie Barber

In the nice afternoon breeze of the 11th of October, we crouched in the warmth of the fire.

 Commencing Archery

Later the Teacher announced in a loud voice that we would commence Archery. When we began I loaded the arrow, than fired at the target. The arrow flew through the air and hit the target and bounced off. For the final attempt, the arrow hit the target again and bounced off again! After everyone had their turn, we headed back to the glow of the fire where we began another activity which required everyone to either cook an apple, damper, or a chocolate banana. I cooked damper, and a chocolate banana. After that, we headed back to our cabins, and had a delightful dinner of cooked beef.

Nicholas Chong

Camp

Guess what, yeah you guessed it I went on camp. Lol Now Now! I’m joking I went down a cliff face. It was horrifying but fun. The food was great, it was to die for and for brekky I had cereal and white good bread, for lunch I had a burger …. Yum for dinner we had roast.

Tom Mitchell

On the 9th-11th of October year4 went camping Gariwerd On the 9th in the afternoon my group went and got all the gear on and walk down a cliff.  At dinner we had parma chicken and cooked potato. On the 10th for brekkie we had bacon and egg In the morning my group did cooking outback and archery. In the cooking we made a chocolate banana and cooked a marshmallow. Then we did archery.  For lunch we had burgers after lunch my group did Brambrook were we panted all a boomerang and walked through the outback. For dinner we had cooked beef. Then we had movie night and watched Charlie and the chocolate factory. On the 11th for brekkie we had egg. After that my group went to the creek. After that year 4 went back to Bendigo.

Thomas Brain

Yum, the food. Amazing! I don’t know how they could make it any better. At archery I did pretty good. When we needed to go to bed, I couldn’t. it can be really loud at night. On the 9th of October we went to Bram brook. I painted a boomerang. They all looked amazing! After that we watched a mini movie and another mini movie. Later we played the didgeridoo, Eve picked a loud one. The next day our group walked down a cliff.

Lily Gorgeous

When I opened my eye It was a long walk but it

Was worth it the river was beaut

Walking for Awareness

One of our Year Two students, Isaac, was diagnosed with a very rare disease when he was 4 years old. The disease is Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis (CRMO) and it affects the bones and joints in children. This condition is very rare with less than 24 cases in Australia. It is often misunderstood because on outward appearance sufferers look well however, the nature of the disease can cause symptoms and pain levels to come on quickly and last for minutes or weeks and months. In order to raise awareness of this disease and to raise funds for research, Isaac and his family are organising a Walk for Awareness at Lake Weeroona on Sunday October 27.

When:   Sunday 27 October

Where:  Lake Weeroona  (look for purple balloons at the bbq near the park)

Time:     11am

Request:   All participants are being asked to wear something purple and donate $5.00 per walker. 

For those who would like to support Isaac in his endeavours but cannot make it to the walk donations can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/walking-for-awareness?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet