Junior School

Piccolo's

Welcome to the Piccolos for 2025. They have had a wonderful start to the year. The children have been very engaged in all the activities we have had on offer. Some favourites has been painting and drawing, reading stories and the outdoors. 

A resilient community

Whilst we have enjoyed an excellent start to the year at Myrniong, many families in our learning community have faced ongoing challenges thrown at them by mother nature. Their resilience and optimism have been outstanding. Our thoughts and best wishes remain with them as we navigate our way through a difficult summer.

Swimming

Our Intensive Swimming program is in full swing and I must complement our students on their efforts throughout this first week.  Next week, we will return to HILAC to complete the program.  On Friday 14 February, the Junior School House Swimming Carnival will take place at the Hughan Park Outdoor Pool in Hamilton.  Our younger students participate in a demonstration display of the skills they have been consolidating over the past nine Swimming Intensive lessons.   Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 students will finish their events at around 10.45 am.  After a tiring two weeks of swimming, parents are encouraged to collect their children and take them home at the conclusion of their morning events.

Please let their teacher know if you do take your child early. 

Mrs Patterson is on the lookout for parent helpers to assist in the smooth running of the day. If you are able to assist, please email Mrs. Natalie Povey at jsreception@hamiltoncollege.vic.edu.au  

A highlight of the day is always the parent, teacher and student relay races. Parents are encouraged to bring their bathers and be part of the fun. The College Parents’ and Friends’ will be running a BBQ on the day.  I look forward to the students showcasing their swimming skills and giving their all for their Houses.  

Parent Information Sessions

Prep to Year 6 class teachers will deliver Parent Information Sessions on the afternoon of Tuesday 11 February at the following times.

• 3:30 pm – Prep and Year 1
• 4.00 pm – Year 3 & Year 4
• 4:30 pm – Year 2 & Year 5
• 5.00 pm – Year 6

These sessions are designed to give parents information on class programs, routines, camps and timetables for 2025. 

House Captaincy Speeches

Best of luck to all Year 6 students applying for the position(s) of 2025 House Captain. Applicants will deliver speeches to their Houses on Friday afternoon.  House Captains will be announced in next week’s College Newsletter. 

‘Be the leader you would like to follow.’ 

The Year of the Snake 

In our Chinese lessons with Mrs Weisbach and Ms Li, students have been learning about the Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival. This is a major festival celebrated at the beginning of the Chinese lunisolar calendar. Thought to have originated in ancient China around 3,500 years ago, it is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture, marking the end of winter and the beginning of the new year. 

If you were born in 1977, 1989, 2001, or 2013, you were born in the year of the snake. Snakes are regarded as little dragons (xiaolong 小龍), and the skin snakes shed is referred to as the dragon’s coat (longyi 龍衣), symbolising good luck, and rebirth. The snake also symbolises the pursuit of love and happiness.  The snake can also represent wealth and wisdom, and in traditional Chinese culture, they are often grouped with the turtle and the crane as a symbol of longevity.