Junior School News

Year 1 Camp: Sleepover at the Discovery Centre

Last Friday we had the Year 1 camp. First, we went on the Talking Tram. The conductor’s name was Chris. He talked about the history of Bendigo. Next, we went to the Beechworth Bakery for afternoon tea. I got a sweet cinnamon donut. It was delicious!

 

After that we went back to school. It was very empty. We got to have a free play. Yay! 

Then we went on the bus to the Discovery Centre. We got to set up our beds all by ourselves. After that we got a free play on all the exhibits. It was amazing. I went down the vertical slide. When I was at the top I looked down, it was scary! I was brave and went down the slide. It was fun!

 

Then we had dinner. Pizza. Yummy! We also had an icypole before bedtime. 

Finally, we watched a movie called Robots. This was the best day ever.

Anaisha Nair (1 Jenkin)

On Friday it was the Year 1 camp. We started the day like any other day. We did our morning routine, maths, writing and all the usual stuff. After lunch we went to the toilet and lined up ready to start the camp. First, we walked to the Gold Mine and boarded the Talking Tram. The conductor’s name was Chris. We saw lots of cool things. Next, we walked to the Beechworth Bakery. I had a lamington and a strawberry milk. It was delicious.

 

After that we went back to school to have a play. I played in the sandpit. Then we got on the bus to go to the Discovery Centre. When we got there, we set up our beds and then we had a free play. After that we had dinner. We had pizza. When it was time for bed, the Discovery Centre teacher, Kendall, turned the roof into the solar system. It was awesome. It was then time for us to snuggle into our sleeping bags and watch a movie. Finally, it was sleeping time. 

 

In the morning we ate breakfast, brushed our teeth, and had our final play. It was an amazing experience. 

Ziggy Naidoo (1 Aherne)

On Friday we had camp for one day. First, we went on the tram. On the tram I saw a managed feature. Next, we went to Beechworth Bakery. I had a jam donut. Then we went back to school and had a little play. We also went to the toilet. Then we grabbed our school bags to get on the bus. I got to sit at the back of the bus. When we got off the bus we were at the Discovery Centre. 

 

When we got there, we unpacked. When we got unpacked, we had a play and they announced that it was 1M’s turn on the vertical slide. Then it was 1D’s turn on the vertical slide. I went up and looked down the slide. It looked scary. I didn’t go down. After that we had a play. After that it was time for dinner. After dinner it was time to get ready for bed. We learnt about the planets. After that we watched a movie and went to bed. 

 

In the morning, I had toast for breakfast. It was time to go home. It was so much fun.

Zara Mow (1 Riley)

On Friday we went on our Year 1 camp. We had to do school work until lunch. After lunch the fun began.

 

First, we went on a walk to the tram stop. Then we had a ride and at Lake Weeroona I saw little ducklings. We went back to the tram stop and walked to Beechworth Bakery. Mrs Rowe helped me choose my drink and Mrs Peter helped me choose my food. I had an apple and blackcurrant juice. Also, a ham and cheese toastie. 

 

Next, we went back to school. We went to the toilet and had a 15-minute play. After that, we got on a bus and went to the Discovery Centre. We went in and set up our sleeping bags and then we had a play. 

 

Later, we had dinner. I had cheese pizza and lemonade. After that, we had another play. We all went back to our bed, looked at the stars and watched a movie called Robots. Then we went to bed. I stayed for a bit and then went home. Camp was super fun and amazing.

Lucille Pang (1 Frew)

Year 3 Camp: Sunnystones, Bacchus Marsh

The two Year 3 classes went on camp to Sunnystones in Bacchus Marsh from 6 to 8 November. Six staff and 52 very excited students caught the bus to Sunnystones, where the adventure began with the students creating a bush art masterpiece from clay. 

After lunch, both classes were introduced to geocaching, an activity similar to orienteering, played in teams in the lovely bushland setting of the campsite. This was a new experience for the students but was one they thoroughly enjoyed. After dinner, we played a trivia game before bedtime.

Day two was a day of hut-building and rotations consisting of initiative games, archery and bush cooking. The students participated in all activities with enthusiasm and enjoyed the challenge of working together cooperatively in several of the activities.

After breakfast on the last day of camp, we packed our suitcases before the students participated in the survival game. Working in teams of herbivores, carnivores, humans and germs, it is a challenge for each team to take as many tags from other teams as possible as they navigate their way around the contained bushland area. This year the germs won, with over 300 tags taken from the other teams.

When we arrived back at school, we were greeted by the parents, who were very happy to have their children home. Thank you to the students for their enthusiasm and willingness to have a go at new experiences and being so well-behaved during our time at camp.

Mrs Gibson, Mrs Stanton and Mrs Brett 

Year 3 Classroom Teachers

Year 2 Strings Evening

On Monday 11 November, the Year 2 students gathered in the Black Box to celebrate their year of playing in the Year 2 String Program. In front of an audience filled with enthusiastic family members and friends, they performed musical numbers such as 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' and 'The Grand Old Duke of York'. The students have had a wonderful year learning instrument-specific techniques and reinforcing musical elements such as beat and pitch recognition. The audience even got to join in, helping to sing the Hokey Pokey. It was a fantastic evening.

Mrs Cally Bartlett

Head of Arts 

Junior Advanced Band 

On Wednesday morning, the Junior Advanced Band had the pleasure of performing for the children and teachers at the Bendigo Preschool. The students from the band gave descriptions and demonstrations of their instruments, and the young audience enjoyed singing along to 'Ghostbusters' and 'Mamma Mia', and clapping to the 'Addams Family' tune. A wonderful time was had by all.

Beginning Band 

After a year of working hard learning their instruments, the Junior School Beginning Band students finished their year with a performance for the Prep students. The Preps were wowed with the big sound of everyone playing together and also had the chance to hear the instruments by themselves. 

RULER News

On International Day, Girton Grammar School welcomed visitors from the Bei Shan Tang Foundation in Hong Kong, a group that included educators and school leaders who were keen to learn about our school’s RULER implementation. This visit highlighted Girton's ongoing dedication to emotional intelligence education and the success of the RULER approach within our school community.

The visitors explored how RULER is embedded in Girton’s culture and curriculum, observing firsthand the techniques and strategies used by our staff and students. Our team shared insights into Girton’s journey with RULER, from training and implementation to sustaining a supportive environment that fosters emotional awareness, resilience and empathy.

This special visit underscores the global interest in our approach to student wellbeing and emotional learning, affirming Girton Grammar as a leader in the implementation, embedding and teaching of RULER. 

Whole-school approach to spelling: Junior School

This year, our Year 4 students, along with those attending Inclusive Education spelling sessions, have been participating in a trial of the Spelling Mastery program. The purpose of this trial was to evaluate how well Spelling Mastery supports diverse learning needs and enhances overall spelling proficiency among our students. Given the program’s success, as evidenced by measurable student growth, all students from Years 2 to 6 will participate in Spelling Mastery sessions starting in 2025, attending four 30-minute spelling sessions per week.

Spelling Mastery is a highly effective evidenced-based program that equips students with the strategies they need to become successful, lifelong spellers. The program teaches spelling through an approach focused on strategies, patterns and rules. Its structured lessons combine phonemic, morphemic and whole-word instruction, making spelling easier to learn while promoting proficient writing. Through explicit instruction, careful word selection and repeated, cumulative practice, students gain mastery of each concept and retain key spelling information. 

Key features of lessons include:

• differentiated learning
• meeting each student at their specific point of need
• grouping students based on individual needs
• repeated and cumulative practice
• explicit instruction.

Research demonstrates a strong relationship between spelling and writing. Writers who must think too hard about how to spell use up valuable cognitive resources needed for higher-level aspects of composition. By moving to an evidence-based whole-school approach to spelling, students reduce the cognitive load placed on the mechanics of writing and focus more on the creation of well-crafted texts. 

Mrs Tabatha Peter 

Head of Junior School Curriculum

Hi families, 

There is so much fun to be had at OSHC, from art and crafts to science experiments and sensory play.

The children enjoyed all our games, crafts, Lego-building and bracelet-making. We made a laughing cup, which was so loud and fun, but not as bad as a recorder. All our activities aim to extend and develop skills such as fine motor, problem-solving, social and communication skills and many more. We love learning through play and most of the time children do not realise they are learning. 

We were talking about how playing card games such as Old Maid, Uno, Go Fish and other games like Connect Four are about strategy and problem-solving. We discussed how strategies could involve deciding when to play a certain card, or shuffling cards in your hand to hide the Old Maid or Uno card they just picked up and knew was a good one. 

Medication policies and legislation 

Our policies are to ensure the safety of all children and educators, and comply with the Education and Care Services National Law Act and the Education and Care Services National Regulations. All medication is required to be within the expiry date, in its original packaging and have a pharmacy label with the child’s name and dosage. A medication pharmacy label needs to be on the original packaging as well as the medication itself, such as on asthma relievers, EpiPens, and medication bottles such as liquid Zyrtec or Claratyne.

According to page 91 of our Medical Conditions and Practices for Children Policy: “If current, accurate and complete documentation, relevant medication and medical items are not provided by the parent to the service coordinator, the child will be unable to attend care at the service.” Please see the policy on our website for more information.

We hope to see you in OSHC!

Miss Jillie