Junior School

Happy Holidays

After an incredibly busy 10 weeks, I wish all in our Junior School learning community a relaxing, safe and happy holiday break. 

Year 5 Sovereign Hill Camp

I had the pleasure of accompanying our Year 5 students on their three-day Sovereign Hill camp. The students were wonderful ambassadors for the College. They were inquisitive, respectful, resilient, interested and engaged. We had many compliments given to us on the way the students carried themselves throughout the camp. Many thanks to Mrs. Pauline Cowland and Mrs. Abbie Cameron for their support of the students.

‘Punch above our weight’ 

The phrase ‘punch above our weight’ comes from boxing and is often used metaphorically. In boxing, a fighter who "punches above their weight" competes against an opponent heavier or stronger but still manages to perform well or succeed. In a broader sense, it refers to a person or organisation achieving more or performing better than expected based on their size, resources, or capabilities.  It implies exceeding expectations or competing at a higher level than one might assume possible.  In the last weeks of Term Three, this phrase has come to mind in two very different arenas. 

Our Junior School Chamber Singers performed on Sunday with the Hamilton and Warrnambool Symphony Orchestras.  They were part of a mass choir, which included the Good Shepherd College Junior Choir, Hamilton Singers, and Warrnambool Symphony Chorus.  The Hamilton Performing Arts Centre was sold out. They sang beautifully and with poise, polish and confidence.  A quarter of our Junior School students performing for an audience of 500, with a symphony orchestra - quite impressive!

Last Friday, our Boys’ and Girls’ Hockey 7s sides went to Melbourne for the State Championships. They represented the Greater Western Region and were pitted against the best metropolitan and regional Victorian teams. Both sides did not lose a match.  The Girls’ team was desperately unlucky not to make the Grand Final, missing out by a goal difference of one to Yarra Public School - 13 to 12 goals. The Boys’ team topped their pool and made the Grand Final against Penleigh and Essendon Grammar, an independent school of over 2500 students.  The boys gave their all, going down 4-3 in a wonderful final.  We were the only school in Victoria to have a Girls’ and Boys’ team make the state finals.

Well done, Junior School students. We do ‘punch above our weight’ in so many areas.

Prep Transition Sessions 

Our 2025 Prep Transition sessions will commence in the first week of Term Four, on Thursday, 10 October. I can announce that Mrs Sharon Kelly will be our Prep teacher in 2025. Sharon brings a wealth of experience and a passion for early years education to this role. Weekly 45-minute Prep Transition sessions will lead into our 2025 Orientation Day on Thursday, 7 November, when all students will step up to their 2025 classes. 

Week 10 Assembly

The following students received Star Student Awards at this week’s Assembly.

• Year 3: Harry Parfrey, thank youfor having the best week ever. He read everything with minimal sounding out and created a tongue-twister for his writing.
• Year 3 - George Malseed for being a Maths Star with his Chance and Data experiments (coin tossing) and an excellent Bank Manager with the class money set.
• Year 4 - Harry Diprose for his hard work and dedication in creating an engaging narrative, diligently following the structure, and effectively proofreading and editing his work.
• Year 4 - Sammie Price for her focused efforts, valuable contributions in SpellEx lessons, and dedication to mastering her spelling words throughout term three.
• Year 4 - Violet Shrive for carefully planning, writing, and editing her narrative piece, creating a well-structured and engaging story.
• Year 6 - Emma Milne for taking the time and effort to create and publish the outstanding first issue of Myrniong Monthly for the staff and students of Myrniong to enjoy.
• Year 6 - Imogen Johns for exceptional effort in all academic subjects and her thoughtful appreciation and consideration of others at all times, both in the classroom and on the playground.

Term 4 Uniform and Hats

Term 4 commences on Monday, 7 October. With the unpredictable weather we experience in the southwest, the College gives students two weeks of grace to transition from winter to summer uniform.  We request that students opt for either/or in the first two weeks of Term 4 but not wear a combination of both.  Hats are mandatory for all of Term 4. They will stay at school in lockers and bag rooms. It would be appreciated if hats could be clearly labelled with names.  Monday, 21 October, should see all Junior School students transition to wearing summer uniforms.

Sports

Congratulations to all of our Junior School sports participants this term. It has been another very busy and rewarding term on many sporting fronts. Next term we wish our GWR Athletics team all the very best of luck as they compete in Ballarat on Friday, 11 October. Our team this year consists of Tommy Brown, Will Brown, Max Cameron, Grace O’Sullivan and Lachlan Sweeney.

Next term, our successful Hoop Time teams will also compete at the next level in Hamilton. The 3/4 Hawks team, coached by Michael King, will compete on Monday, 21 October. Our 5/6 Anacondas team, coached by Sara Dyer, will compete on Monday, 28 October. Please keep an eye out for information on this on the Operoo system.

Anyone who has a school Athletics tops at home, please return these to school ASAP.