Head of Junior School 

Heartfelt thanks to leadership team

It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces and warm greetings on my return to the Junior School after a six-week Long Service Leave absence. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Junior School Leadership team of Mrs Burrows, Mrs Mazengarb and Miss Pugsley for their leadership of the Junior Campus in my absence.

I would also like to extend a warm welcome to Mr Steven Cromb, who has taken on the role of Physical Education Teacher and Sport Co-ordinator for the remainder of the year. I know you will all join with me in welcoming Mr Cromb to our community.

Additionally, I'll share that Mrs McCullagh and myself had a cunning plan to ‘Meet in Madrid’, and that we did! We met Mrs McCullagh and her family at the train station after their lengthy long haul flight from home. We were able to share a meal with them before they headed to their ‘home away from home in Spain for the next 12 months’.  

Walking the Camino: A Journey of Challenge, Connection and Discovery

Our Camino journey included a 230km trek over 11 days. It was an experience we had hoped would be memorable, and it certainly lived up to — and exceeded — our expectations.

We followed the Portuguese Coastal Route, commencing in Âncora before making our way south along the spectacular coastline. At Pontevedra, we changed course and followed the ‘Spiritual Variante’, eventually arriving at our destination, Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

The Camino offered plenty of challenges along the way. There were some long and demanding walking days when we had to dig deep, and the relentless heat certainly tested our resilience. Yet, these moments became an important part of the experience. There was something incredibly rewarding about reaching the end of a particularly challenging day, knowing that we had persevered together.

And then there were the moments that made it all worthwhile — spectacular scenery, beautiful coastal paths, ancient villages, forests and rivers, wonderful food and the warmth of the people we met along the way.

Perhaps most special, however, were the opportunities to simply walk and talk. Away from the usual routines and distractions, there was time to reflect, share stories, enjoy each other’s company and appreciate the privilege of experiencing such an extraordinary part of the world together.

The Camino was everything we wanted it to be and more. It challenged us physically, gave us opportunities to grow in resilience and appreciation, and created countless memories that we will carry with us long after reaching Santiago.

Buen Camino!

A Different Kind of Book Week Celebration: ‘A Symphony of Stories’

This year, in Week 5, August 24-28, we are looking forward to celebrating Book Week a little differently at the Junior School. 

While we have always enjoyed the excitement and creativity of our whole-school Book Week Parade, we have also been reflecting on what we want Book Week to be about at its heart — a celebration of books, stories, authors, imagination and a love of reading. At times, the focus can naturally shift towards the costumes themselves, so this year we are taking the opportunity to place the books and the joy of storytelling back at the centre of our celebrations.

This year, rather than holding our traditional whole-school Book Week Parade, we will celebrate together through a special Book Week Assembly on Monday, 24 August at 9.55am.

ALL students from Kinder to Year 6 are invited to dress in this year's theme, Symphony of Stories for the Book Week Assembly, as well as participate in their own class-themed activity.

Parents are warmly invited to attend the Book Week Assembly and share in this special celebration. 

Before the assembly, boys will gather with their classes at 9.40am outside on the Futsal Court and the Hall and then parade into the Hall, giving everyone an opportunity to share in the fun and excitement of the celebration.

During the Assembly, there will be a special treat for all our students. The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra frequently adapts children’s picture books into live musical performances for a relaxed sensory friendly concert. This will form part of our assembly on Monday. Th orchestra has brought to life, through music, popular children's books like Are We There Yet? by Alison Lester, Herman and Rosie by Gus Gordon, and Milli, Jack and the Dancing Cat. 

We would love to see outfits that are inspired by books, music and the wonderful world of storytelling. Creativity is encouraged, and costumes certainly do not need to be elaborate or purchased. 

Ideas might include:

A favourite musical character from a book

A musician, conductor or composer

An instrument-inspired character or outfit 

A character from a story featuring music or performance 

A character dressed in musical notes or sheet music 

A singer or performer from a favourite story 

A favourite book character with a musical twist 

An outfit inspired simply by the sounds, colours and rhythms of music

The theme is intended to inspire creativity and imagination, rather than add pressure for families to create or purchase a costume. A simple musical accessory, hat, instrument or touch of colour can be just as effective.

During the week, classes are hosting other Book Week-themed activities. Your class teachers will inform you of any further details.

• Kinder & Prep: Focus on the Rhythm and Rhyme, as in a symphony and will be combining to parade our characters at 2pm on Monday, 24 August. Mrs Mazengarb and Mr Farrell will share more details via seesaw.
• Years 1 & 2: Will make Sizzling Symphony Start Bookmarks on Monday, 24 August. 
• Years 3 & 4: Will host a book week activity on Wednesday, 26 August. They will have a few engaging activities but their main activity will be a House Jeopardy tournament around picture books, with some small craft activities.   

• Years 5 & 6: On Tuesday between 9.00am and 9.20am, the 5/6 boys will run a Readers Picnic with short musical performances as the students read. Students from Prep to Year 4 will choose a 5/6-led group to sit with and listen to stories being read aloud.

   

Creating a Legacy Together

It has become a much-loved tradition for our Year 12 students to work alongside our Prep students to create a special Legacy Cross, made from glass. Each student contributes an individual piece, and these pieces are brought together to form a larger cross, which is proudly displayed at the Senior Campus as a lasting reminder of the connections made throughout their school journey.

Our Prep students also had the opportunity to explore the bushland surrounding the Senior School campus. Accompanied by Mark Smith, aka ‘Bushy’, they ventured across the grounds, from the old train tracks down to the river, around the football fields and through the many areas of bushland.

Another activity the boys engaged in was creating their one Celtic Cross. I would have to say, the results are outstanding. The Celtic Cross has a strong connection to the Irish heritage of the Christian Brothers and the Edmund Rice tradition.

The Cross has important elements: The cross represents Christ and the Gospel — central to Edmund Rice's faith and the mission of Edmund Rice schools. The Celtic circle is traditionally associated with the Celtic Christian tradition and can be understood as representing eternity, unity and the continuing presence of God. Together, the symbols connect the Irish origins of Edmund Rice and the Christian Brothers with their enduring Catholic mission.

Along the way, students learned about the importance of appreciating, respecting and caring for the land around us. They also discovered more about the history of the Senior School grounds and the special stories held within the landscape.

The day was a wonderful opportunity for our youngest and oldest students to learn together, build connections and contribute to something that will remain as part of the College for years to come.

Learning from Country, Connecting Through Culture 

A group of our First Nations boys from Kinder to Year 3 were thrilled to take part today in Barefoot on Country — Living Our Truth at Risdon Cove.

The boys were intrigued to learn how to make fires the traditional way, using friction to build heat. It's not easy!

They listened to the didgeridoo, explored culture and connection to Country — and they thoroughly enjoyed making damper. They also explored the importance of living with what the land provides and the role we all play in keeping balance in land and sea and Country.

A special highlight was meeting Palawa author Adam Thompson, who read from his book, The Stormy Night. Hearing the story from the author himself made for a truly memorable experience.

Kinders Embrace International Mud Day

Puddles to jump in, mud to squelch through, hands to get wonderfully dirty and plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures made International Mud Day a memorable experience for our Kinder boys.

The boys spent the day exploring the bushland at our Senior School in Austins Ferry, embracing the freedom and fun that comes with getting outside and connecting with nature. Their enthusiasm was infectious as they splashed, explored and investigated the world around them.

Having recently been learning about insects, the boys were delighted to discover plenty of tiny creatures hiding among the bushland. There was much to observe, investigate and discuss as they searched for insects in their natural habitat.

With the help of Bushy, the boys also learnt about fire and enjoyed gathering around a real campfire to keep warm. Our Landcare students were wonderful mentors throughout the day, helping the Kinders explore and make the most of their bush adventure. There were plenty of muddy hands, muddy clothes and very happy faces by the end of the day!

A wonderful day of outdoor learning, connection, discovery — and lots and lots of mud!

Sport is Well Underway in Term Three

Thank  you to all the parents who have volunteered to coach or manage a JSSATIS basketball team in Term 3. We honestly could not do this without you!

Friday is STCPSSA Footy Day: We have one Year 5 /6 Football team this year. So far they have played St Aloysius and Holy Rosary, coming home with resounding wins. In each of these games it has been encouraging to see our boys step up to volunteer to play for the undermanned opposing teams, demonstrating qualities that we are and Edmund Rice would be incredibly proud of. 

Upcoming Dates:

Fridays this term: STCPSSA Football fixtures for Years 5/6

Thursday 27 August: Interschool Chess Competition at South Hobart Primary

Friday 28 August: Mary Rice Day: Prep to Year 6 attending Mass and activities at the Senior Campus: Details to follow 

Friday 4 September: Filming of Japanese speeches

Monday 7 September: Fathers Day Breakfast

Friday 11 September: House Athletics Carnival: Years 2 to 6 at the Domain 

Athletics Centre.