Junior School Report

Message from the

Director of Learning

Junior School

Ms Jessika Cichy

It’s amazing how fast this term is going – we’re already more than halfway through! As we head into the final weeks of Term 4 and the festive season, there are plenty of events and activities to celebrate the school year. Here’s a look at what’s coming up and some highlights from recent weeks.

Upcoming Events

• Tuesday, 19th November, Week 7: Welcome Night for Year 6 into 7 – We’re excited to welcome our future Year 7 students and their families! This evening will give them an overview of what to expect in the upcoming school year.
• Thursday, 28th November, Week 8: End of Year Junior School Celebration Day – Consent is now open for this optional excursion! Only the first 90-100 students who complete consent and payment will be able to attend, so please talk with your child and finish this process as soon as possible if they’d like to join. The day will be packed with fun activities to celebrate all their hard work this year.
• Friday, 29th November, Week 8: Curriculum Day! – Students do not attend school on this day. 😊
• Starting Monday, 2nd December, Week 9-10: HeadStart Program – A chance for students to experience their 2025 classes, meet their new teachers, and get a preview of what they’ll be learning next year.
• Tuesday, 10th December, Week 10: Orientation Day for Year 6 into 7 – Another great day to welcome our future Year 7s as they experience a full day at Westall. 

Recent Highlights

Last week, our Junior School students enjoyed the Sticks and Stones incursion by Brainstorm Productions. This high-energy theatre program tackled important issues like bullying, harassment, and aggression both at school and online. Through engaging performances, two actors explored how peers, family, social media, and video games affect our attitudes and behaviour. They also showed how we can use the energy from the “fight-or-flight” response in positive ways. Our students were attentive and engaged, and we hope they take these lessons into their relationships and interactions online. For more information on these topics, students and families can visit Headspace or Kids Helpline.

Our Junior School students also enjoyed some exciting excursions this term!

Year 8 Mission to Mars

In early Term 4, our Year 8 students took part in the Mission to Mars program at the Victorian Space Science Education Centre (VSSEC). This full-day experience allowed students to play the roles of astronauts, mission controllers, and research scientists as they completed a simulated geological survey of Mars. Students communicated, problem-solved, and worked as a team to ensure the mission’s success. Dressed in spacesuits, they “stepped onto Mars” to collect soil and rock samples, drill an ice core, and measure seismic activity. After returning to “Earth,” they analysed their findings, learning how scientists investigate planets beyond our own.

Year 7 Scienceworks Excursion

Our Year 7 students visited Scienceworks to explore Physics and Earth/Space Science, connecting what they’ve been studying in Term 4. They had hands-on experiences with devices to understand movement, electricity, and magnets. They also learned about the science behind lightning and enjoyed a Planetarium show titled Where's the Water? This interactive experience helped them connect physics concepts to real-world examples in a fun way.

We’re proud of our students for their curiosity, teamwork, and engagement during these events and look forward to more exciting learning experiences in the coming weeks.

Focusing on Punctuality and Organisation

In our last assembly, we discussed the importance of being on time and organised as part of our care values – particularly, our care for learning. Our students have set a goal to reduce lateness this term, aiming for fewer late arrivals than in Term 3. Our Year 8s are currently on track to meet this goal, while our Year 7s are still working towards it.

Families can support our students in achieving this goal by:

• Emphasising the importance of being on time – Punctuality is an important life skill for school and beyond. Getting into the habit of practicing this skill now will reduce the stress later in life when they will need it for their future pathways and/or careers.
• Checking Compass regularly to monitor attendance and track progress. 
• Encouraging a consistent morning routine to help students be prepared for each day.
• Discussing goals – Remind students of the goal they set and how it reflects their growth and commitment.

Thank you to our families for supporting our Junior School community and helping make it a caring, positive place. We look forward to finishing the term strong and celebrating all our students’ achievements!

Miss Jessika Cichy

Director of Learning - Junior School