Junior School
- Mr Stephen Nelson
Welcome back to Term Two
Welcome back to all in our Junior School learning community. I trust your Easter holiday break was an opportunity to relax and spend quality time with family and friends. My family and I had time in Melbourne as well as the mid north coast of New South Wales. Our Year 12 student, Ciaran, had the privilege of being part of the China Study Group with Mr. Dempsy and Ms. Li - a wonderful two-week experience offered by the College.
Term Two is always an eventful and rewarding 10 weeks, punctuated by the following important events.
Junior School ANZAC Service - 24 April
House Cross Country - 30 April
Walk/Ride to School - 2 May
Division Athletics – Warrnambool - 2 May
Start of GRHA Hockey Season - 3 May
HDSA Cross Country at Lake Hamilton - 9 May
Mother’s Day Celebration - 12 May
School Photographs - 13-14 May
Year 6 Canberra Trip - 19-23 May
Voices and Strings Concert - 28-29 May
Hamilton Music Eisteddfod Week - 2-6 June
Wellness Week - 16-20 June
Young House Service - 16 June
Parent/Teacher Interviews - 16 June and 24 June
ANZAC Service
The focus of this year’s Junior School ANZAC Day Service was the 30 Old Collegians who made the ultimate sacrifice, from the Boar War through to World War Two. When collating photographs of these brave men for our PowerPoint presentation on Thursday morning, I was struck by the resilience, courage, respect and optimism in their eyes and faces. The old sepia photographs reminded me of the 1989 movie Dead Poet’s Society, when English teacher Mr. Keating takes his class to the school entrance hallway to view the old photographs depicting the deeds of the Welton Academy rowing, football, athletic and debating teams. His message to the boys, as they scanned the individuals in the old photographs was ‘carpe diem’; Latin for seize the day. Mr. Keating challenged the boys to make their lives extraordinary. The Old Collegians who went off to war were extraordinary. They would have done so with a mindset of giving their all for empire and country, seizing the opportunity to commit to a greater cause and give their best. Lest we forget.
SSV Division Athletics
Good luck to our Athletics team who are competing at the SSV Division Athletics Carnival on Friday 2 May in Warrnambool. Our team of 11 students, Will Brown, George Robertson, Harriet King, Harry Diprose, Olive Monk, Violet Shrive, Lachlan Sweeney, Tommy Brown, Arlan MacDonald, Otto Whitehead and Theo Horne will represent our school in various track and field events and we wish them much luck on this day.
Schedule for Junior School House Cross Country
Wednesday 30 April at Parklands Golf Course
Start Time *Times are estimates only and will be staggered at appropriate intervals. | Age/Distance |
|---|---|
| 9:10/15am | 12/13 Year Olds 11 Year Olds 3km |
| 9:20/9:25am | 9 Year Olds 10 Year Olds 2km |
| 9:35am | 7 Year Olds 8 Year Olds 1km
Prep Students… 750m |
Presentations will be made at the Junior School at the conclusion of events.
2025 Hockey Season
The 2025 Hockey Season will commence next Saturday, 3 May. This year, we will field an under 10 team and two under 13 teams. Best of luck to the College Falcons, Hawks and Eagles. A reminder that all players must be registered with Hockey Victoria prior to the commencement of Round 1.
Junior School 'Captains Corner'
Livvy Bell - The highlight of my school holidays was when some family friends visited, and we went to Port Fairy. Even though it was freezing in the water, we had a great time surfing, swimming, and playing. It was also funny when we hosted a talent show, and Anne, the youngest, gave everyone ladybug stickers.
This term, I am looking forward to the Year 6 Canberra trip because we get to go for a whole five days and learn about the government and parliament.
Hugo Cameron - The highlight of my school holidays was using the unusually warm weather to surf at Port Fairy.
I am looking forward to the Year 6 trip to Canberra and the start of the hockey season this term.