Around the Junior School

Year 2 Science: Magic of the Sky

Throughout Term 2, Year 2 students loved exploring the Magic of the Sky with guidance from our wonderful science specialist, Mrs Gibson. Through a range of hands-on investigations, students explored the differences between the day and night sky, discovered how shadows change throughout the day, and measured their own shadows in the Senior School Science Labs. Learning about the Moon's phases was a class favourite, with students creating Moon phase models using foam balls and paper plates before recreating each phase with Oreo biscuits. It was a fun, engaging program that sparked curiosity and encouraged our young scientists to observe and wonder about the world above them.

Junior School Service-Learning Project

Our Service Learning was tweaked this year, with all Houses supporting one local organisation. The Year 6 students voted and decided on Ronald McDonald House Orange. In House groups, the students devised their own way to support this wonderful local organisation. Junior School students were asked to bring in donations to our project ambassador, Compassionate Carlos, one of the Round Square Heroes of Discovery.

Brown House decided to cook freezer meals for families who stay at the facility. Brown House students were asked to donate gift cards to local supermarkets which the Brown House Mentor, Mrs Church, used to buy all the necessary ingredients. The Year 6 leaders of Brown House then used the Senior School Food Technology room to prepare, cook and package 100 meals of spaghetti bolognaise. This was picked up by the Ronald McDonald House Marketing and Fundraising Manager, Mrs Libby Spencer, and filled two freezers at the facility.

Douglas House asked for stationery donations to put together creative packs. The Year 6 leaders then put together pencil cases with pens, pencils, textas and other items to be given to families supported by Ronald McDonald House, Orange.

Gordon House decided to put together Entertainment Packs. Students in Gordon House were asked to donate board games, card games or small LEGO kits, which were then packed and presented at the Service-Learning Chapel Service.

McLachlan House assembled Snack Packs for families at Ronald McDonald House. They included tea bags, hot drink sachets and individually wrapped, snack-size food to provide fuel for families between meals.

The project concluded with our Service-Learning Chapel Service in the DPA, led by Rev. Sally Yabsley-Bell and attended by Mr Kelly, Mr Callaghan and Libby and Brian from Ronald McDonald House, Orange. Our House Prefects spoke briefly about their project and presented the donations to the representatives from Ronald McDonald House.

Through the Service-Learning Chapel service, all the Junior School students can see the impact that their small act of kindness can have on the wider community. Libby and Brian were blown away by the freezer meals and packs that our students put together and greatly enjoyed the student involvement and the “vibe” of the service.

Special thanks must go to our House Mentors – Mrs Church with Brown, Mrs Caro with Gordon and Mr Barrett with McLachlan. They have been instrumental in the success of all the activities that our Year 6 leaders have undertaken this year. They have proven to be thoughtful and flexible when guiding our students and supportive of our Round Square Leadership program.

Thank you to Mr Callaghan, for the behind-the-scenes support of our Round Square projects. His efforts, although often unseen, are greatly valued and appreciated.

Thank you everyone for supporting our Term 2 Service-Learning Project. We should all be proud of our Year 6 students in this endeavour. The way that they promoted their project, organised donations and conducted themselves during the service is a real credit to our school.

Mrs Muriel Fatai

JS Leader of Technology and Innovation

Save the Date - IPSHA Travelling Art Show

The Junior School is thrilled to be taking part in the IPSHA Travelling Art Show this August. This special exhibition celebrates the creativity, imagination and talent of students from six IPSHA member schools.

The artworks will journey from Queenwood to Wenona, then onto Mamre and Danebank, before arriving at Kinross Wolaroi School. The final school to display these masterpieces will be Scots All Saints.

The exhibition will be on display in the Junior School Glasshouse for members of our wider community to view on two occasions:

Tuesday, 4 August from 3:15pm to 4:00pm
Wednesday, 12 August from 8:00am to 8:45am

This is a wonderful opportunity for the Junior School to celebrate the talents of our remarkable students. Please come along and enjoy exploring the exhibition.

Mrs Alicia Holmes & Ms Zoe Morris

Junior School Specialist Visual Arts Teachers