Junior School, South Plympton

On this page: Upcoming Events | Miss Herrmann and Mrs Were's Foundations: our future mathematic wizzes! | End-of-Term wrap up and exciting things to come | Parent Coffee Connect | State Gymnasts Visits South Plympton | Year 5/6 Battle of the Bands | Vacation Care Program

Upcoming Events

Term 2 - 3

End-of-Term wrap-up and exciting things to come

As we come to the end of another busy and successful term, we want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support. This semester has been filled with exciting learning, student growth, and wonderful community events. 

Highlights from Term 2 

• Year 6 Camp to Kangaroo Island where they developed their resilience and leadership skills over the three nights away. 
• Mothers’ Day Morning Tea 
• SACSA Cross Country and Soccer 
• Year 6 students continued leadership initiatives, with various lunchtime clubs supporting our younger students. 
• Year 5/6 Battle of the Bands, where Mrs Wicks' class took out the ultimate prize. All of the students performed exceptionally well and were a credit to the Music team. 

Student Reports – Understanding the Results 

At the end of the term, you will have access to the end-of-semester reports. These reports provide a snapshot of your child’s progress and achievement. 

Here's how to read them, achievement scale (A–E): 

• A (Excellent): The student demonstrates a deep understanding and application of the subject. 
• B (Above Standard): The student shows a strong grasp and can apply their learning confidently. 
• C (At Standard): The student is working at the expected level for their year. 
• D (Approaching Standard): The student is working towards year-level expectations. 
• E (Support Required): The student requires significant support in this area. 

Effort

In addition to academic performance, effort indicators are even more important as they reflect your child’s approach to learning, resilience, and classroom engagement. 

If you have any questions about your child’s report, please contact your child’s teacher early next term to arrange a time to discuss their progress. 

Looking Ahead to Term 3 

Term 3 will begin on Tuesday, 22 July 2025. 

Key dates to note: 

• Week 5 - Book Week, which culminates in a dress-up parade on Friday morning, 22 August (approximately 8:50 am). This is an opportunity for your child to dress as a character from their favourite book and parade in front of the rest of the school, so you may want to start to consider costumes for this event. Note that this year we are encouraging parents to join us and dress as their favourite characters too. So join the parade or just come and watch and stay for a coffee too. 
• Week 7 - Fathers’ Day Breakfast on Friday 5th September. This is always a great morning for our community to celebrate fathers together so lock this in your diary. 
• Week 8 - Culture Week Celebrations (more details to come but there is likely a dress up in your traditional costume on Monday 8th September.) 
• Week 8 - Student-Led Conferences, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. 
• Week 9 - Foundation to Year 2 Swimming Week 
• Week 10 - Year 5 Camp Mon22 – Wed 24 September Willow Creek 

Finally, we are praying that you will have a blessed holiday and that you will experience God’s peace and protection as you spend time ‘out of routine’ as a family. 

Blessings 

Liz Hinrichsen 

Head of Junior School

Miss Herrmann and Mrs Were's Foundations: our future mathematic wizzes!

In Foundation Mathematics, we have been learning to count, represent numbers, and explore measurement through engaging, hands-on experiences. Students have participated in a variety of counting activities using objects to practise grouping and writing numerals, supporting their number recognition. They have used tools such as counters, tens frames, and number lines to solve number stories and develop number sense.

We have also explored measurement by comparing objects based on length, weight, and volume, using everyday tools like paperclips, unifix blocks, and pan balances to estimate weight. These activities have helped students build important skills in observation, comparison, and problem-solving.

Maths is fun! Here are some of our reflections on learning:

“I like learning about numbers. My favourite number is 25.” – Izzy

“I liked learning about taking away. I did a number story by drawing cupcakes.” – Eva

“I like using the tens frames. I showed how to make 16 using counters.” – Zane

“I liked learning how to measure things. I measured a baby doll using cubes.” - Levi

“I like doing part-part-whole questions. I like finding out which number is the part and which number is the whole.” - Nelson

“I liked doing addition stories on my whiteboard. I drew pictures to help me work them out.” - Ivy

Sandra Were and Taylah Herrmann

Foundation teachers

Parent Coffee Connect - Last day of Term 2

With Term 2 coming to its end, we have organised an afternoon coffee catch-up for you with other parents. It's a good opportunity to touch base on school holidays activity ideas, plans and may be setup playdates for your lovely kids! 

All Junior and Secondary School parents are welcome to join. 

Afternoon tea will be provided by the parent representatives. 

Coffee will be available for purchase from coffee van.

State Gymnasts visit South Plympton

As our Foundation to Year 2 classes at South Plympton Campus come to the end of their Gymnastics unit in PE, they were treated to a special gymnastics demonstration from some members of the State Development Squad. 

We were delighted to welcome Noah Hunter and Ilia Horiahin, members of the elite State Men's Artistic Gymnastics team, who showcased some their impressive skills. 

The gymnasts were able to link the importance of the basic shapes, safety landings, and level 1 skills our students have been working on in PE lessons with the pathway to develop into elite gymnasts. 

Our guests' impressive strength wowed our students as they scaled up and down the climbing ropes, performed difficult tumbling lines on the floor, and clapped and cheered as the boys demonstrated their power and speed on the vault apparatus.

The session concluded with an opportunity for students to ask the gymnasts some questions. It was a fantastic experience that motivated and inspired our students to excel in gymnastics! 

Kirrilee Collins

Junior School PE Teacher

What a Night! Year 5/6 Battle of the Bands performance shines

Our Year 5/6 classes performed last week and Wicksys Wonders were the ultimate victor!

Ghostbusters made a comeback along with the Lego movie where we heard about everything being awesome. However, Mission Impossible literally stole the show. 

Some of these students began playing their woodwind or brass instruments in January of this year while others continued learning the same instrument from last semester. These students displayed resilience and responded with action to the question, "Are you going to show up......or STEP UP?" 

Throughout the term, our three class bands - Wicksy’s Wonders, Butler’s Boomers, and Dal Santo’s Dynamos - have earned points for their studious behaviour, remembering their instruments, and, of course, their final band performance on the night.

The evening offered students a true taste of teamwork, the thrill of performing, and the rewards of perseverance and resilience.

Thank you to all the parents, grandparents, and friends who came along. It was a great night full of great sounds and heavy applause. 

And a hugecongratulations to Wicksy’s Wonders for taking out the top spot! We hope you enjoyed your well-earned prize, hot chips and donuts at recess. Yum!

Nikki Meinel

Junior School Music Teacher 

Vacation Care program

We are pleased to provide the School Holiday schedule for Vacation Care. 

To book, please visit our website to enrol with YMCA OSHC or if you are already enrolled book via the Xplor Home App.