Junior School News

2025 Junior School Athletics Carnival

On Wednesday 7 May, our Junior School community came together for a fantastic day of track and field at the La Birpa Athletics Track in Flora Hill. The weather was kind, and the atmosphere was buzzing with energy as students competed in a wide range of events, demonstrating not only athletic skill but also sportsmanship, encouragement and House pride. 

It was a tightly contested carnival, but Jenkin House emerged triumphant, taking out the coveted House Cup. Congratulations to all Jenkin students for their outstanding efforts throughout the day! The Spirit Cup went to Millward House for their fantastic mashed-up rendition of John Denver’s 'Take Me Home, Country Road'.  

We are proud to celebrate our 2025 Age Champions, who excelled across multiple disciplines and showcased amazing dedication and skill: 

These students should be commended for their consistent performance and commitment throughout the day. 

A big thank you goes to Mr Doherty, Mr Robertson and Mr Epps for their exceptional organisation and planning, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable carnival for all. We are also incredibly grateful to our fabulous Year 9 student helpers, the maintenance & tech crews and our wonderful teaching staff, whose support and enthusiasm made the day such a success. 

Well done to everyone involved – we are already looking forward to next year’s carnival! 

2025 Junior School Cross-Country Carnival

The Junior School Cross-Country Carnival was held on Friday 23 May at Beischer Park in Strathdale. With overcast skies that turned into bouts of showers and rain, students from Preparatory through to Year  braved the conditions to participate in this annual event. 

The weather certainly did not dampen their enthusiasm or spirits as we saw so many happy and smiling students (and staff!!) running varying distances ranging from 1km through to 3km. It was wonderful to see so many parents, grandparents and carers come along to volunteer their time on checkpoints and support our students throughout the day. In addition, our students and staff were supported by a large group of Year 8 students from the senior school. They were perfect role models for their junior counterparts and the carnival could not have operated without them. 

A big thank you goes out to all involved in the day.

Results:

The winning House was Jenkin!

RULER | Prime Awareness

For the beginning of Term 2, the Junior School community has been exploring PRIME Awareness, a powerful extension of our RULER approach.

PRIME is an acronym:

P – Prevent an unwanted emotion

R – Reduce an unwanted emotion 

I – Initiate a new emotion 

M – Maintain an existing emotion 

E – Enhance or increase an emotion 

Through classroom discussions and assemblies, students have been learning that even a momentary pause can create the space to choose how we respond, not just react, to the situations around us.

At last week's Community Assembly, our Student Ambassadors shared their insights into the benefits of developing self and social awareness.

As they shared in their speech at assembly: Social awareness means noticing how others feel and what they might need. Developing social awareness helps us be kind, helpful and understand the people around us. Self-awareness means understanding your own feelings and why you do things. It helps us make good choices, learn from mistakes and get along with others. 

Students shared different thought and action strategies that can help regulate their emotions.

These reflections and strategies highlight how our students are not only developing emotional skills but also encouraging one another to practise self-awareness and empathy in real time.

PRIME is more than a strategy – it’s a mindset that supports our vision for a caring, emotionally intelligent school community. Thank you to our students and staff for embracing this focus and modelling its values every day.

National Reconciliation Week: Bridging Now to Next

This week, our school came together to honour National Reconciliation Week – a significant time for all Australians to learn about and reflect on the histories, cultures and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

At our community assembly on Monday, we began with a respectful Acknowledgement of Country, recognising the Dja Dja Wurrung people as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we learn and play. We paid our respects to Elders past and present, and extended that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our community.

The theme for Reconciliation Week 2025, Bridging Now to Next, invited us to consider how the actions we take today help shape a more respectful, united and inclusive future for everyone. Reconciliation is not a moment in time, but an ongoing journey that we are all part of.

Throughout the week, each class engaged in age-appropriate activities that helped deepen their understanding and connection to First Nations cultures and histories:

• Prep–Year 1 students read Somebody’s Land and explored the meaning of reconciliation, as well as the deep connection First Nations peoples have to Country.
• Years 2–4 listened to Back on Country by Adam Goodes, exploring the significance of Country and family in First Nations communities.
• Year 5 read Sorry Day and had meaningful discussions about the Stolen Generations and the importance of acknowledging and understanding the past.
• Year 6 viewed educational videos about Reconciliation Week and the Uluru Statement from the Heart. They also read Finding Our Heart and reflected thoughtfully on the ideas of truth, voice and fairness.

In addition to these activities, many classes and specialist programs incorporated learning about First Nations perspectives into their lessons, helping students connect with the values of Reconciliation Week in creative and meaningful ways. Across the school, students showed empathy, curiosity and respect as they listened, learned and shared ideas. Their thoughtful contributions reminded us all that reconciliation is not just something we learn about – it’s something we must work towards, together.

As we look ahead, our school community will continue to take small, meaningful steps on the path to reconciliation – because every conversation, story and reflection helps build the bridge from now to next.

Catherine Stagg

Junior School Teacher

Shared writing from 5D

Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements. It is held every year from 27 May to 3 June, acknowledging two important events: the 1967 referendum and the 1992 Mabo decision. The week encourages everyone to reflect on the past and think about unity and respect between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and non-Indigenous Australians.

Reconciliation Week makes us feel hopeful because it shows that people are interested to learn from the past and work together for a fairer future.

Reconciliation Week makes us feel proud to be part of a country that acknowledges and respects the stories and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Reconciliation Week makes us feel inspired to help build stronger and respectful relationships in our community.

Prep Art: VAN GOGH SUNFLOWERS 

This artwork was inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s famous sunflower paintings. Prep students explored colour, shape and texture by creating their own vibrant sunflower collages. They began by painting paper with shades of yellow and orange, experimenting with different marks and patterns. Once dry, the painted paper was carefully torn into petal shapes and glued around a brown circle to form the sunflower. Students then painted a vase and background to complete their artwork. This lesson encouraged creativity, fine motor skills and an appreciation for one of history’s most beloved artists.

Code Camp Returns to Girton | 16–17 July

The portal is now open to reserve a spot for Code Camp this July. With DJ Camp, Animation Camp, YouTube Creators, Coding Camps, Drone Camp and a brand-new Minions Animation Camp, there's something fun for everyone! 

To learn more and book head to www.codecamp.com.au/fb

Camp Australia Newsletter 

Let’s give a huge round of applause to Aarav from Girton Grammar OSHC, who has been named our OSHC LEGO Master! 

During OSHC LEGO Masters Week (12–16 May), children took part in a week filled with creativity, imagination and brick-building fun. Every child brought something special to the table – and Aarav truly stood out.

Whether helping others, sharing ideas or simply having a blast, Aarav captured the spirit of what OSHC LEGO Masters Week is all about.