Junior School

Beginning Well: A Word to Our Junior School Families

The Junior School years are a unique and precious season, one marked by growth, discovery, and the quiet formation of character. As we begin this year together, I want to take a moment to reflect on how we, as a community of families and educators, can walk these years with wisdom, grace and generosity of spirit.

Schools naturally bring people together. At the school gate, in the playground, and through shared experiences, we encounter a wide range of parenting styles, expectations and stories. It is worth remembering that while our children may share a classroom, no two families travel the same path. Scripture gently reminds us to “walk humbly with our God,” Micah 6:8 and humility is a beautiful posture to carry into school life.

In Junior School, especially, it can be tempting to compare progress, friendships, achievements, and opportunities. Yet learning is not a race, nor is childhood a performance. Our role as adults is not to manage outcomes but to nurture curiosity, resilience and joy. When we allow children the freedom to grow at their own pace, we give them the gift of confidence rooted not in approval, but in belonging.

Community flourishes when we choose kindness over judgement and encouragement over competition. A welcoming smile, a listening ear, and a generous assumption go a long way in shaping a culture where everyone feels safe and valued. The Apostle Paul encourages us to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,” Philippians 2:3. These words are as relevant at the school gate as they are anywhere else in life.

It is also important to remember that children are watching us closely. They learn far more from what we model than from what we say. When they see adults treating one another with respect, patience and grace, they learn how to do the same. When they see us celebrating difference rather than fearing it, they learn that God’s world is richer for its variety.

The Junior School years will pass more quickly than we expect. There will be joyful moments, awkward moments, proud moments and humbling ones—for parents as much as for children. Through it all, may we remember what we are ultimately seeking to form young people who are confident yet compassionate, capable yet kind, and grounded in the knowledge that they are known and loved by God.

As we begin this year together, our College theme for 2026, Following the Way, invites us to fix our eyes on Christ—not only in what we teach but also in how we live, speak, and relate to one another. In the busyness of school life, may we choose the way of grace over judgement, patience over pressure, and love over comparison. As Jesus reminds us, “I am the way, and the truth and the life,” John 14:6. It is our prayer that, together, we model this way for our children each day. It is a privilege to partner with you in the care and education of your children, as we walk this path together.

On Thursday 5 February, our Junior School gathered for our Investiture Chapel to recognise and celebrate student leadership for the year ahead. This event marked the formal induction of our Junior School Captains, Home Group Captains for Semester 1, Enviro Captains, and all Year 6 students, who serve as role models as the senior cohort of the Junior School.

Our Junior School Captains for 2026, Bentley and Sianna, addressed the audience with confidence and thoughtfulness. In her address, Sianna reflected on the biblical character Gideon, noting that although he felt small and insignificant, God used him to achieve great things. Her message encouraged students to trust that God can work through each of us, regardless of our doubts or perceived limitations.

We congratulate the following students on their leadership appointments and look forward to the way they will lead by example throughout the year.

Our Prep cohort has launched into school life with great enthusiasm and is now confidently attending full-time. It has been a joy to watch how readily they are settling in and embracing the routines and rhythms of their new learning spaces. From the outset of the year, our Junior School team places a strong emphasis on nurturing a caring, connected, and cooperative community where every child feels known and supported. 

Every child learns differently, and our Junior School is committed to recognising and nurturing those differences. Through thoughtful classroom practice and targeted programs, we support a wide range of learning needs, with our dedicated Learning Enhancement Team working closely with students and teachers.

In Week 2, as part of the C.O.G.S.  (Cultivation of Gifted Students) program, our Junior School students enjoyed working with the ever-ingenious Mr Dickson. In STEM sessions, students spent some delightfully “hoppy” time using LEGO Robotics to explore a Metamorphosis unit, using the lifecycle of a frog as a metaphor for technological change. Beginning with wriggling tadpoles that morphed into jumping frogs, students were then challenged to push beyond the obvious, reimagining their designs into inventive “robofrogs” that could do more than a frog ever could.

Mr Dickson also led engaging Language sessions with whole classes and selected students, centred on an Abecedarian Zoo. Through 26 alphabetical animals, students explored wordplay, expanded their vocabulary, and tackled creative, challenging writing tasks that stretched their thinking and imagination. We look forward to welcoming Mr Dickson back in Term 2, where he will work with our students in Mathematics.

Thank you to all parents and families who joined us for our Classroom Connect afternoon on Tuesday 10 February. It was wonderful to welcome you into your child’s learning space and to provide the opportunity to meet their classroom teacher and begin building those important partnerships. We encourage families to read the Class Information Booklet distributed, which contains valuable information for the year ahead. Parent–Teacher Interviews will be held on Thursday 5 March, from 4.00–8.30pm and Friday 9 March, from 10.00am–4.00 pm, with Friday being a Student Free Day. 

I would like to remind families and all drivers on College grounds to observe road rules at all times. This includes not stopping along roadways or at pedestrian crossings; instead, use the designated car parks when you need to park or wait. For safety reasons, Junior School students are not permitted to walk to or be collected from the BPAC or stadium area. Children are to be collected from the end of Learning Street, where Yard Duty staff are on duty and supervising students. Please also note that all Junior School students must be collected by 3.50pm. Any children remaining after this time will be taken to After School Care, and applicable fees will apply. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us keep our community safe.

We also wish to draw parents’ attention to recent concerns raised by the Australian Government regarding the online gaming platform Roblox, particularly in relation to child safety and online interactions. While many students may use this platform for entertainment and creativity, we encourage families to remain vigilant, monitor usage carefully, and ensure appropriate parental controls are in place. For those who would like further information, please view the Government’s media release.

As we look ahead to the year before us, we thank God for the privilege of educating children within a caring, Christ-centred community. We value the trust you place in us and look forward to a year of partnership, growth and shared joy. May we continue to support one another as we seek to follow God’s leading, trusting that “the Lord establishes their steps” along the way.

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. 

Proverbs 16:9

Mrs Amy Liddle

Head of Junior School