Classroom Spotlight
Journeying Through History with Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief
This term Year 6 have been reading Katrina Nannestad’s Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief.
Set against the harsh backdrop of the Battle of Stalingrad during World War II, this powerful novel has sparked incredible curiosity, deep historical discussions, and some truly outstanding creative work from the students.
To deeply connect with the era and the experiences of children during the war, students have thrown themselves into several hands-on projects:
- Diary Entries and Newspaper Reports: Stepping into the shoes of the characters, the students wrote first-person accounts that captured the fear, hope, and resilience of youth caught in the middle of a conflict.
- Missing Children Posters: We explored the devastating real-world impact of the war on families. The students designed historical "Missing Children" posters, displaying immense maturity, empathy, and respect while researching and creating these pieces.
Baba Yaga & Folklore: To understand the cultural roots of the setting, we took a detour into Russian mythology. The students had a fantastic time exploring the legend of Baba Yaga (and her famous chicken-legged hut!), comparing traditional folklore to the themes of magic and survival in the book.
The maturity and thoughtfulness the students have brought to these complex historical themes has been incredibly impressive. Their creativity and capacity for empathy have truly shone through.
Missing Child Posters
Ivy, Mackenzie, William & Aziel
Baba Yaga & Folklore
Leilani
Karen Gardiner
Year 6 Teacher
A Lesson on Resilience, Mindset & Attitude
Thursday morning kicked off with an incredibly inspiring lesson on resilience, mindset, and attitude.
From the remarkable journey of Sam Longmore, Mr. Pratt shared her story with Year 5 and 6. Following an open class discussion, our students quickly realised how a positive attitude and strong mindset are the most powerful tools in helping to overcome life's obstacles.
Thanks to The Junee Bulletin and their coverage of Sam’s ‘The Big Wheel - Push For A Purpose,’ we were able to follow her journey—including the emotional moment she arrived in her hometown of Junee. Everyone was in awe of her achievement. We even spotted some ex-Joey students supporting her along the way!
Thank you, Sam, for being such an inspirational role model for our students and the wider community. We wish you the very best as you complete your journey and continue to raise vital funds for rural mental health.
A Morning in Year 1
Stage 1 visit from Emma Hedlund - Junee Shire Council
Emma Hedlund, Junee Shire Council's Community Engagement Officer, recently visited Stage 1 to share her knowledge about what our Council does for our community.
They learnt about all of the different roles and responsibilities as drawn by the students.
Thank you Emma for your time and expertise!
