Junior School

In the world of hustle and bustle, it’s important to take a moment to stop and smell the roses. Walter Hagen

The Bible holds profound wisdom regarding the importance of rest. In the Psalms, it is written, 

He makes me lie down in green pasture; He leads me beside still waters 

Psalm 23:2

illustrating God’s role in providing rest and refreshment for His people. Furthermore, the Ten Commandments include the command to observe the Sabbath day as a day of rest and worship, emphasising the necessity of taking regular breaks. These biblical passages underscore the significance of rest as vital components of a balanced life, reminding us that rest is not a sign of weakness, but rather a gift from God that nourishes the body, mind and soul. Rest is a fundamental need, especially after a demanding term of learning in Junior School. In the whirlwind of academic pursuits, it is easy to forget the timeless wisdom echoed in the Bible. In Genesis, we read that even the Creator rested on the seventh day, setting an example for us to follow. It is during the moments of rest that we can reflect, recharge and recover from the busyness of life. 

Seussical JR

Amid the curtains rising and the echoes of applause, our talented students once again took centre stage, leaving us captivated with their exceptional performance in our latest school production. It was an absolute delight to see over 350 students take to the stage to perform a fabulous rendition of Seussical JR. I would like to thank Mr Jeffrey Clarke for the many hours of hard work and dedication he put into choreographing, producing and directing the show. His passion and love for the Creative Arts were evident in what was delivered on stage both evenings. As you can appreciate, evenings like this require work from a dedicated team. Thank you to Mrs Caylin Shrivastav for all her work as Production Assistant and in supporting Mr Clarke to bring together this fabulous show. Thank you to Mrs Rosalyn Skurrie for her diligent work in creating beautiful costumes for our performers. Thank you to Mrs Merryn Burt for sourcing and organising props and managing the backstage crew. Thank you to Mrs Jacqui Kelly for the work she did in painting the sets and the faces of students in makeup on the nights. I would also like to thank those involved with lighting, sound and technical advice. Mrs Faye Anderson for ticketing and managing Front of House, along with Middle School students who served as ushers. Thank you to our marvellous Maintenance Team, who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Finally, I would like to thank all our Junior School teachers and Learning Support Assistants who rallied together to do whatever needed to be done in support of this production. It is an absolute pleasure to work with such an amazing and dedicated team of educators.

Festival of the Arts

Mark your calendars for a captivating cultural experience as the College’s Festival of the Arts returns in 2023. This event will take place on Friday 6 October and will feature captivating exhibitions and live performances that span a myriad of artistic genres. As twilight descends, the festival’s enchanting atmosphere will come alive with performances that add a touch of wonder to the evening. Whether you’re a connoisseur of the arts, or simply seeking inspiration, this evening promises a delightful experience for all who attend. 

2024 Class Placement 

At the commencement of Term 4, plans will commence for the 2024 school year. It is at this time that parents are provided an opportunity to communicate in writing, to the Head of Junior School, any specific information which could have a significant impact on their child’s class placement for 2024 (e.g. cousins, neighbours in the same level, etc.). As situations can change, requests made in previous years are not taken into consideration. Please understand that these requests are not guaranteed, but rather considered in the full picture of student placements. Staffing for each year level is not yet confirmed, so specific requests for teachers will not be considered. Requests should be addressed to the Head of Junior School, marked CONFIDENTIAL, by Friday 20 October.

Term 4 Uniform

As students return from a well-earned break in Term 4, they may wear Summer or Winter uniforms during the one-week transition period. Please ensure girls’ summer dresses are at the correct length, with the hem to the bottom of the knee. It would be appreciated if parents could also use the holiday break to check hair length, earrings worn by girls and socks. Students are also required to wear their hats in Term 4. Please refer to pages 12-13 of the 2023 Student Diary for details of our Student Uniform Standards. 

As we wrap up another exciting term filled with learning, growth and memorable experience, I want to extend my warmest wishes to all our students and their families for a safe and pleasant term break. It has been a pleasure to witness the dedication and enthusiasm with which our students have approached their studies, extracurricular activities and the challenges they have faced this term. I pray this break provides you with the opportunity to relax, recharge and spend quality time with loved ones. Remember to stay safe, explore new horizons and come back refreshed and ready to finish the 2023 academic year well. We look forward to welcoming you back with open arms and eager hearts for the upcoming term. Until then, enjoy every moment of your well-deserved break. 

The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 

Exodus 33:14

Amy Liddle

Head of Junior School