Junior School Report

From the

Director of Learning

Junior School

Miss Jessika Cichy

Hello everyone! It is now nearing the end of the year, and I just wanted to take a moment to thank you all for your work, support and energy over the last year. Since the impact of the pandemic, it finally feels like things are starting to settle in the Junior years, with students showing more resilience, organisation and care than before – it’s not always perfect, but we’re on the up! 2025 has been a wonderful year, and I am grateful for the all the work our students, staff and wider community are doing every day.

Previously in the Junior School

Academic & Personal Best Awards

Firstly, a big congratulations to all our Junior School award winners! In our previous Sub-School assembly were presented with their subject-specific academic excellence and personal best awards. These go to the students who are excelling in the subject, and to those who are achieving their personal goals – and we’re so incredibly proud of them all. We also handed out our Westall Way Achievement Awards, which went to our Top 3 Westall Point Collectors for the year! These students are consistently showing our iCare values in everything they do, and their teachers have recognised this over the year.

Junior School Celebration Day – Thur. 27 Nov

It was an incredibly wonderful celebration on Thursday the 27th of November when our Junior School students took full advantage of Celebration Day – an annual event in the Junior School that marks the end of their classes and sparks the beginning of their next journey. Students enjoyed a large inflatable ninja-warrior course, a movie excursion to M-City, a petting zoo, and other activities. While it rained a bit in the morning, it was clear skies and sunshine for the remainder of the day. Both staff and students had a lot of fun, and it was the perfect way to end the year.

Orientation Day – Tuesday 9 December

Finally, it was an absolute pleasure meeting our 2026 Year 7 cohort on Tuesday when they all arrived for their first official ‘taste’ of high school at Westall Secondary. Orientation Day is a statewide event where all grade 6 students head over to their chosen high schools to get acquainted with the values, expectations and culture of the school. We also presented our scholarship winners for 2026 – they did an amazing job in their interviews and Our Year 7s worked wonderfully together – ensuring everyone felt included – and our Year 8 helpers were fantastic in the way they showed empathy, leadership and positivity. It is always a huge effort planning and running our Orientation Day – so I wanted to give a big shoutout to all our Junior School staff and students who helped us on the day. You’re all superstars.

Looking Ahead

Junior School Captains for 2026

I wanted to take a moment to thank and congratulate our 2025 Junior School captains – Mylla Tran, Nathan Rusmin, Shruthi Chintalapati and Antonio Cotsakis. They showed an incredible energy and passion throughout the year, and assisted the Junior School with event planning, celebrations and

our assemblies. Their public speaking skills and confidence had an incredible boost over the year, and it’s been a pleasure watching their growth. We all wish them an incredible transition into the Middle School, and we believe they’ll achieve amazing feats!

With the new year, this brings a new set of captains! Our Junior School captains support us in running assemblies, assisting with event planning, acting as voices for the Junior School cohorts and planning bigger and better things. Application for captaincy involves writing a detailed application where candidates put their best feet forward – advocating for their strengths and goals in the roles and then completing an interview with our Year Level Coordinator. It is never easy choosing our captains – the care and courage the students show always makes it difficult! With thorough consideration, care and enthusiasm, it is my pleasure to announce our 2026 Junior School Captains: Ghina Deddy & Thakshan Kanaganathan as our Junior Captains, and Maahi Lalinkumar Patel & Asifa Muhuiddin as our Junior Vice-Captains. Congratulations!

Preparation for 2026

It is important that all students are prepared for their 2026 classes – our 2026 Year 7s need the tools to start their high school journeys on the right foot, and our current Year 7s are now elevating into the leaders of the Junior School as Year 8s, and the expectations are rising with them. Please support them by ensuring that they have the following when they return in 2026:

· Stationary

· An exercise book for each subject

· Their own personal copy of their English novel

o Year 7: Two Wolves by Tristan Bancks

o Year 8: Crow Country by Kate Constable

· A working laptop

· A complete set of uniform

· Black leather school shoes

If you ever aren’t sure what students need, or have any questions, please make sure to contact us at the school.

Advice for the Holiday Break

With the ban on social media for under 16s, it’s an important reminder that social media – while entertaining, connecting and enticing – is a piece of technology that requires careful use and monitoring. It is no easy task – and there are incredible positives that technology has brought into our lives – the ability to connect with people, to learn new things and get creative. Nevertheless, it’s helpful for young people to balance their online life with habits that support their wellbeing, learning and development.

Here are some things anyone can do (and encourage) to keep our brains and bodies active, happy and challenged over the holidays:

✔ Build Healthy Tech Habits

· Create device-free times or spaces, such as during meals or the first hour after waking. The Australian eSafety Commissioner recommends structured routines to support healthy digital habits in young people.

· Model positive tech use—children mirror what they see. As the eSafety Commissioner notes, “Parents are powerful role models for shaping online behaviours.”

✔ Keep Minds Engaged

· Read daily, even for 10–15 minutes. Research from the OECD shows that consistent, low-pressure reading improves comprehension, vocabulary, and long-term academic success.

· Try a creative challenge—writing, drawing, gaming with purpose (i.e. strategy games), or starting a holiday project. Creative engagement strengthens critical thinking and supports mental wellbeing.

✔ Stay Physically Active

· Aim for at least 60 minutes of moderate activity a day, as recommended by the Australian Department of Health. This can include walking the dog, bike riding, swimming, dancing, or family hikes.

· Physical activity not only boosts physical health but also improves mood, attention, and emotional regulation.

✔ Strengthen Social and Emotional Wellbeing

· Encourage regular social connection, whether through catch-ups with friends, family activities, or community events.

· Practise small daily gratitude moments—supported by The Resilience Project and other wellbeing programs, gratitude has been shown to improve mental health and life satisfaction.

✔ Prepare for a Positive Start to 2026

· Use one or two days toward the end of the holiday to reset: organise stationery, tidy digital files, or set simple goals for Term 1.

· Establish a consistent sleep routine, aiming for 8–10 hours for adolescents (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare). Quality sleep is strongly linked to better memory, behaviour, and learning outcomes.

I wish all families a safe, restful and joyful holiday period. We look forward to welcoming our students back in 2026. Have a wonderful New Year!

Warm regards

Miss Jessika Cichy

Director of Learning – Junior School

Westall Secondary College