Junior School - Term 3 update

What a remarkable term it’s been for us in the Junior School! We kicked things off with our assemblies focusing on subject selection for 2025. The engagement and enthusiasm from our students were outstanding. In addition to that, our online parent sessions were a tremendous success, providing families with valuable insights into the structure of the 2025 Year 8 and 9 program. We're thrilled to report that most selections were made on time, which greatly assists the principal team in efficiently allocating classes and teachers for the upcoming year. 

One of the highlights of the term was celebrating 100 days of Year 7—a milestone that truly deserves recognition. Ms Wilkinson, our dedicated Year 7 Coordinator, along with Mr Oaten and I, put together a range of activities and a sausage sizzle to mark this special occasion. We couldn't be prouder of our Year 7s. Their hard work and perseverance have been nothing short of inspiring, and we hope they feel the same pride in their achievements. Now, as fully inducted members of our school community, they're ready to reach new heights and continue their journey with a strong sense of belonging and purpose. 

Cyber Safety Project 

The Cyber Safety Project was a standout event this term, bringing essential knowledge and tools to our Year 7, 8, and 9 students. The legends from the Cyber Safety Project delivered an engaging and impactful session, arming our students with the skills needed to navigate the digital world responsibly. They covered crucial topics like managing social media use, diligently checking privacy settings, and understanding the potential consequences of their online actions. 

The positive feedback from both students and teachers was overwhelming, reflecting just how valuable and relevant this incursion was. To extend this learning to our wider school community, we also hosted a parent session in the evening, ensuring that families can support their children in staying safe online. Initiatives like these truly prepare our students to thrive in a digital age, and we couldn't be more pleased with the outcomes of this partnership. 

Enhancing Junior School Student Engagement 

As Term 3 drew to a close, we hosted our Girls and Boys Breakfasts for Year 7 and 8 students, a vibrant initiative designed to boost peer engagement and foster a strong sense of community. These special gatherings provided an invaluable platform for students to share their successes and positive experiences within the Junior School, while also offering them the chance to connect more deeply with our dedicated Junior School team. 

The breakfasts were filled with lively conversations as students made hot drinks, toast, and croissants in a relaxed and friendly setting.  

A heartfelt thank you to Ms Kertes, Ms Wilkinson, Ms Zeng, and Ms Tibb for their incredible support and hard work in making these Breakfasts a memorable success. Their dedication ensured that each event was not only enjoyable but also meaningful for all attendees. We are proud to see our students thrive in such nurturing settings and look forward to continuing to provide engaging opportunities for their growth and connection. 

Check out some of the wonderful photos captured during these delightful mornings below! 

Year 7 Student Reflection – Vaahin 7H 

Hi, I’m Vaahin from 7H and I am here to tell you about the Olympic Futsal tournament. The tournament had three rounds on different days, the 3rd round was the final. The grand finals had a great atmosphere, people from different grades came and cheered us on, unfortunately, we lost but it was still a great experience, bringing everyone a sense of purpose and enjoyment throughout the event. Whether you were a player or a spectator it was truly something to remember from this year, I would like to express my gratitude to the teachers involved in making this possible for us students to enjoy, thank you.    

Year 8 Reflection –  Samuel D 8F 

The Year 8s of 2024 have had a wonderful and eventful term. The Year 8s got to select their optional elective subjects for the next year. Around the middle of the term, there were the three days of Write-a-book-in-a-day. So many people worked tirelessly from 8am to 8pm on writing and editing a book of their own making in the library. Toward the end of term, they had the Cyber-safety incursion, where people from the Cyber-safety project came to teach the Year 8s about the importance of digital privacy. To wrap up the term, the Year 8s had RUOK day, where they participated in multiple lunchtime activities. 

The Year 8s also had a few smaller events, such as the Hot Chocolate breakfast for those who’d come in the correct uniform in their last uniform blitz. There were also the Homegroup sessions run by the class captains, focusing on identity and future careers. At certain parts of the term, some Year 8s went out on sport, leaving much less students in the classroom than usual. This term 3 has been a term marked by exciting events for the Year 8 cohort of 2024. 

Year 8 camp at The Summit  

We are excited to announce that our Year 8 students will be heading to The Summit in Trafalgar for a three-day camp from December 11th to December 13th (Week 10, Term 4). This camp serves as both a celebration of the student's achievements throughout the year and a key opportunity to support their transition into Year 9. 

Camp Details: 

Location: The Summit, Trafalgar 

Dates: December 11th – 13th, 2024 

Focus: Team-building, resilience, reflection, and leadership development 

Rationale: As Year 8 draws to a close, this camp offers students a chance to reflect on their personal growth and build confidence for the challenges ahead in Year 9. The activities at The Summit are designed to foster teamwork, encourage problem-solving, and develop leadership skills, all while providing students with the chance to bond with their peers outside the classroom. 

Further details, including activity schedules and packing lists, will be provided closer to the camp. We encourage parents and guardians to reach out with any questions or concerns as we approach this exciting event! The Compass event for payment and consent is live.  

Final Words 

I want to take a moment to acknowledge and thank all Year 7 and 8 students for their hard work in the classroom and enthusiastic participation in school events and activities this term. Under the guidance of our dedicated Junior School team—Ms Wilkinson, Ms Kertes, Ms Zeng, and Ms Tibb—we have witnessed remarkable growth and resilience. 

As we enter the final term, I encourage all students to maintain their positive routines at home and place a stronger focus on homework and revision. 

In Week 4 of Term 4, students will have the opportunity to submit a friendship request for their 2025 Home Group. While we aim to consider all requests, it may not be possible to fulfil every preference, as we must carefully balance classes to create optimal learning environments. This is a complex process, and we ask families to support the idea of a fresh start for the new academic year, encouraging students to stay socially active in the schoolyard while working towards their personal and academic goals. 

Please note, that this year, no/minimal requests for Home Group swaps will be accommodated once class lists are released. 

Parent Volunteer & a Regional Win!

Big thank you to Ms Sarah Ng, our Year 8 Girls Badminton team coach! She sacrificed personal time to train up the players. Our school won the Regional Champion this year and made into the State Quarters. We wish them good luck! 

If you have a Working With Children Check (WWCC) and are interested in helping our Junior Basketball or Table Tennis teams as a volunteer coach, please contact Ms Minnie Zeng (minnie.zeng@education.vic.gov.au). Thank you!