From the Director of Junior School 

Dear Families,

This week in our Junior School, we are holding our Parent-Teacher goal-setting conferences. These meetings with your child's teacher provide an opportunity to connect and to collaborate on your hopes and goals for the year ahead. These aspirational conversations may focus not only on academic growth but also on your child's social and emotional development. 

We encourage you to spend some time reflecting with your child on their aspirations for the coming year before your scheduled conference. This shared reflection will help you engage in a more meaningful and collaborative discussion with your child's teacher.  

Junior School Parent Information Sessions | Highlights for 2026 

On Thursday 19 February, we were delighted to welcome families to our Early Years (Prep –Year 2) and Primary (Years 3–6) Parent Information Sessions. These sessions provided a valuable opportunity to connect as a community and share our collective goals for the year ahead. Together, we remain committed to ensuring every child feels known, supported and inspired in their learning. Please find below a summary of what was discussed at the sessions. 

A strong partnership between home and school 

Our partnership with families continues to be central to student success. Across both sessions, we outlined expectations around school uniforms and presentation, the role of assemblies and the importance of participating in our Life and Faith program, including regular prayer services. Families were also introduced to our dedicated Junior School staff teams, who this year will be guiding students across Early Years and Primary. 

Teaching and learning informed by research

Our approach to teaching is grounded in the Science of Learning, drawing on cognitive science, psychology and neuroscience to ensure learning “sticks.” Students benefit from clear routines, explicit instruction, regular checking for understanding and opportunities for productive struggle – an essential part of deep learning. 

To support communication and visibility, the school uses Connect, our learning management system, which provides families with access to timetables, learning materials, assessment information and updates on school activities.

Literacy and numeracy focus

In the Early Years, children participate in the InitiaLit program, which builds early reading, writing, spelling and fluency skills. Decodable readers and the home reading program support early readers in practising decoding and building confidence. Early numeracy includes Maths Hero, hands‑on learning and fluency-building experiences such as Numbots.

In the Primary Years, students build strong foundations in grammar, sentence‑level writing, reading fluency and comprehension. Daily Review and structured literacy and numeracy routines help consolidate learning, while programs such as Spelling Mastery and explicit number fluency development ensure students gain essential automaticity and confidence. 

Specialist learning opportunities 

Across both the Early Years and Primary years, students engage in rich specialist programs, including Music, Health, Physical Education, STEM, Chinese, Drama, Library and – at certain year levels – Dance and Design and Technology. These lessons broaden students’ experiences and nurture creativity, curiosity and skill development.

Healthy lunchboxes and daily routines

Families were reminded of our commitment to healthy eating habits, with water as the only drink permitted and an emphasis on fruit breaks and 'nude food' to minimise waste. Murphy's Café access remains limited to Wednesdays for Years 2 –6, or when accompanied by an adult before school. Lunch orders are available daily for Prep–Year 6. 

Wellbeing at the heart of the Junior School

Student wellbeing remains a central priority. Our teachers create calm, supportive classrooms where students feel safe and ready to learn. The Junior School Wellbeing Space provides short-term support for students requiring additional regulation. Restorative practices guide behaviour, helping students reflect, repair relationships and plan positive next steps. School counsellors are available for short‑term support, complementing external services where needed. Communication between home and school continues to be key to ensuring each child’s wellbeing is supported holistically.

The Pillars program

The Junior School Pillars program helps students grow in confidence, resilience, self-awareness and social connection. Grounded in Positive Education and the PERMAH framework, it is woven throughout classroom lessons, special events, camps, excursions and faith experiences across the year. 

Social skills program

Students who benefit from additional support in social communication may take part in the Wellbeing team’s five‑week Social Skills Program. This includes small‑group learning around teamwork, social cues, conversation skills, empathy and problem‑solving, delivered during break times or class times as needed.

Launch of Caritas Project Compassion 

During the first week of Lent, Mr Messer and I accompanied our Junior School Prefects, along with our Senior School Prefect for Social Justice, to the launch of Project Compassion at Corpus Christi Church. This year, we are being encouraged to 'Unite Against Poverty' in an effort to make the world whole. Our Junior School Prefects have been brainstorming some wonderful ideas to raise awareness for this cause, and we look forward to sharing these with our Junior School community soon. 

Swimming carnival | Friday 6 March

A reminder that this Friday 6 March, our Year 3-6 students will be participating in our Junior School swimming carnival. Students are encouraged to bring along House coloured items to wear to support their Houses. Students will arrive at the Clarence Aquatic Centre via bus at approximately 9.30am and will depart to return to school around 2.30pm. 

Water Safety 

Over the coming weeks, our Prep–Year 4 students will participate in water safety. This will be held at the Collegiate Pool. Please see the dates below, and more information will be available soon via Consent2Go. 

Prep–Year 2: Monday 16 March to Friday 20 March

Years 3 and 4: Monday 30 March to Thursday 2 April 

Presentation Values Certificates 

Please congratulate our certificate recipients from last week's lineup. 

Congratulations to our Early Years Certificate recipients