Head of Junior School 

This week we find ourselves in Week 7, with only two weeks remaining in the school year. The end of the year is always jam-packed with events, so to ensure no information is missed, an EdSmart message has been sent to all families summarising everything happening in the coming weeks. A notification has also been sent as a reminder of the end-of-year events taking place. Some of these events are listed below.

Wheels Up: Year 6 Adventures in Canberra 

This week, our Year 6 boys have taken off to Canberra, our nation’s capital, for an action-packed week of learning, exploring, and discovering all things relating to democracy, history, and more. Miss Pugsley, Mrs McCullagh, Mr Arkley and Mrs Messer are along for the ride, guiding the boys through an educational — and fun-filled — adventure they won’t forget! More to come in our last newsletter of the year, highlighting their adventures.

Gearing up for Kinder: A Fun-Filled Orientation for Boys and Families 

Diggers, cars, a racetrack, tricycles, a giant sand pit, and that’s only the outside space. Wheels, speed, even traction – school is going to be fun if this morning was anything to go by. Last week was Kinder Parent Orientation Session, an eagerly anticipated day for parents and grandparents of the 25 boys due to embark on their learning journey.

Director of Early Years Learning, Mrs Sandra Mazengarb, gave an extensive introduction about what to expect on the first day of Kinder. She also talked about the year ahead, the various activities the boys would engage in like bush and beach excursions and learning by enquiry – focusing on the group’s particular interests. It was a day full of information, learning and fun.

Early Years Boys Bring the Energy 

Our Early Years boys, from Kindergarten through to Year 1, recently took part in their Early Years Carnival, participating in events such as tunnel ball, the vortex throw, sprint races, sponge races and more. The morning was filled with vibrant House colours, team spirit, enthusiasm and plenty of warm, smiling faces. A big thank you to Mrs McCullagh for organising such a splendid event.

Packing Kindness: Our Backpack Bed Donation  

Recently, Geoff and Stephen from Bethlehem House visited our Junior School Assembly. They were eager to show us one of the Backpack Beds that our Junior School community fundraised for during Homelessness Week earlier this year. We raised enough money to purchase ten of these beds. With the help of some of our students, Geoff and Stephen demonstrated how light the beds are to carry, how easy they are to assemble, and how they allow a person’s belongings to be stored safely and securely inside.

They also shared how important these Backpack Beds are, as Bethlehem House currently does not have enough beds to accommodate all the men experiencing homelessness. These portable beds provide a warm, dry, safe, and secure place for them to sleep in the meantime. Thank you to all of our families who donated towards this worthy cause.

Orientation Day

On Monday we held our Orientation Day, giving the boys a chance to experience a “taster” of their next year level. They took part in a range of tabloid games and enjoyed a sausage sizzle to mark the occasion.

Meanwhile, parents of new students attended an information session before the boys headed off to meet their new classmates and begin settling into their year group. 

Just Leadership Day

Last Wednesday 19 November, a small group of our Year 5 boys, Harry Siddall, Harry Stanton, Jack Kilgour, Harvey Gilmore, Cooper Puglisi, Max Free, Alex Mackenzie took part in the Just Leadership Day at St Aloysius, where they learned about Caritas, Mini Vinnies, and Project Compassion. They spent the day sharing ideas and picking up inspiration for different fundraising and outreach projects they might run next year. The boys also enjoyed meeting other Year 5 students from Catholic schools around Southern Tasmania and chatting about the ways they can make a difference in their communities.

Junior School Voting

Yesterday, Year 5 students seeking nomination for 2025 leadership positions addressed their peers, presenting themselves as prospective School Captain and House Leaders. We commend all students for their preparation, confidence and commitment to our school community. Stay tuned for announcements as voting is finalised. 

Kinder and Year 6 Final Bush Day 

Last week Kinder and Year 6 enjoyed a day at Austins Ferry Bush, exploring the environment.  

Beach to Bush

Year 1 and Year 2 enjoyed a Beach to Bush program delivered by our Surf Life Saving Community educators. It is a free program which provides an interactive presentation to educate Year 1 and Year 2 students about safety at the beach and in other aquatic environments.

Save the Date - Speech Day:

When:  Wednesday 3 December

Where:  My State Arena

Year Groups:  Kindergarten to Year 12

Time:  12 - 2.00 pm

This year sees a change in the format of Speech night. This will now become Speech Day for all students between Kindergarten and Year 12. On Speech Day, Major Awards for the College will be presented including Junior Edmund Rice, Junior Virgilian and Sportsmanship Awards, Dux for each class, Years 3, 4, 5 and 6. There will also be performances from Choir and Year 5 and 6 bands.

Save the Date - End of Year Assembly

When:  Monday 8 December

Where:  SMC Nagle Centre

Year Groups:  Kindergarten to Year 6

Time:  1.00pm - 2.30pm (approx)

Our annual End of Year Assembly is being held  between 1pm and 2.30pm in the Nagle Centre of St Mary's College on Monday 8 December. This assembly will be the last for our Year 6 boys, will include a video montage of our boys time here at the Junior School, have performances from the choir and presentation of End of Year Class and Specialist Certificates.

Save the Date - Junior School Thanksgiving Liturgy

When:  Thursday 11 December

Where:  St Mary’s Cathedral

Year Groups:  Kindergarten to Year 6

Time:  6.00pm - 7.15pm

On Thursday 11 December, all students and families from Kindergarten to Year 6 will be invited to attend our Junior School Thanksgiving Liturgy in St Mary’s Cathedral between 6.00pm and 7.15pm.