Junior School

IPSHA Harmony Celebration

Written by Henry, Shyann, Ishanvi, Nishi, Amina, Avni, Kenzie and Nicholas

Earlier this week, eight students from Year 6 had the opportunity to participate in the IPSHA Harmony Celebration hosted by Guildford Grammar Preparatory School. As part of the criteria to attend, the students involved had to be willing to share some cultural language or expressions with students from other schools. This excursion was about learning new languages, stepping outside of your comfort zone, connecting with different cultures and having fun. 

There were many activities including: painting our hands and putting our prints on a big mural, making bookmarks, fun get-to-know-you bingo, didgeridoo music, tasting multicultural food and dreamtime stories. All these activities helped us make special connections with students from the other schools. In three words to describe this experience are: multicultural, delicious and collaborative! We all loved the experience, and we are extremely grateful to the staff who were willing to give up their own time for us. A special thanks to Guildford Grammar School for hosting and letting us come, and thanks to Mr Christie, Mrs Loretto and Reverend Liz for coming with us and making the experience even more fun!

Year 5 OLP - Margaret River

Recently the Year 5 cohort went on their OLP to Margaret River. Against the backdrop of Western Australia’s stunning natural landscape, the cohort enjoyed a four-day trip filled with outdoor activities and cultural exploration, all aimed at developing responsibility and student agency. Students engaged in team-building exercises designed to strengthen bonds and enhance communication skills. 

The mountain bike riding had them navigating challenging trails while enjoying the breathtaking scenery. Kayaking expeditions provided not only a physical challenge but also a lesson in teamwork and navigation. Students gained a deeper appreciation of the importance of cooperation and environmental stewardship. They completed the afternoon with a bush tucker experience, where they delved into the rich indigenous culture of the region. Guided by experts, they discovered native plants and learned about traditional uses, fostering a sense of respect and connection to the land.

Artwork sessions provided a creative outlet for self-expression, with students translating their OLP experiences into vibrant paintings inspired by the stunning environment surrounding them. Integral to the OLP’s mission was the emphasis on building responsibility and student agency. From pitching tents to meal preparation, students took ownership of various tasks, instilling valuable life skills and a sense of pride in their contributions to the group.

The Year 5 students returned home with memories to last a lifetime, and a newfound sense of camaraderie, resilience, and appreciation for the world around them. The Margaret River OLP had been not only an adventure but also a time of growth and discovery.

“My favourite part of camp was the mountain biking.” Bryce Murakami

“My favourite part of camp was mountain biking and the food at dinner.” Robert Leighton 

“My favourite part of camp was canoeing, frame building and mountain biking.” Daisy Ng

Student Leaders' Conference

Written by Chloe Ng and Chloe Wong Chung Lung 

On Monday 18 March, All Saints’ College Junior School Leaders joined more than 2000 leaders from schools across Perth to take part in this year’s annual GRIP Conference. Throughout the day there were different challenges, games, videos and conversations with students from different schools about what we believed leadership looked like. It was interesting to hear from other people and learn about different perspectives. We were challenged to think about our own strengths as leaders and what our interests were; knowing these can be useful in making a positive difference. 

At each break, it was exciting to think about what more we can do as leaders and how we can build on what previous leaders have already achieved. We thought a lot about what previous student leaders had done and the difference it made to those at All Saints’. We realised that being leaders means thinking about the big picture and all the people who are a part of our community. We thought about how we could encourage these different people to join us in making our community even stronger. It was an exciting opportunity and one we will think back on for many years. For now, we are busily working to think how we can make some of our new ideas a reality.