Learning Across the 

Junior School

From the Assistant Principal: Head of Junior School

Wellness Week 

Last week was a special time in the Junior School as we celebrated Wellness Week. We began with a Liturgy, led by our Year 6 Captains, who shared thoughtful prayers and reflections on the importance of caring for ourselves and one another. 

Throughout the week, we had a surprise visitor, the Wellness Wizard! Appearing at various times, the Wizard brought joy with uplifting messages of kindness and compliments.  A highlight for many of our students was joining SEAD lessons with our Senior School buddies. It was a delight to see such strong connections forming through these meaningful and shared experiences.  

To bring the celebrations to a close I had the honour of represented the College, alongside Ms McCullah and Ms Baccanello at the Australian Education Awards in Sydney. Our SEAD program was honoured as an Excellence Awardee; we were the only South Australian school to be recognised in this category. This national acknowledgement is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the innovation and dedication at Loreto. 

Book Week 

We are all eagerly looking forward to our Book Week Dress-Up Parade on Tuesday 19 August, at 8.50am in the Brigid Jones Gymnasium. All parents and friends are warmly invited to attend. 

On the same day, the ELC–Year 11 Art Exhibition will open for viewing in The Square - this is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the creativity of our students.  

Key Dates for Book Week 2025  

• Monday 11 August: ‘Book an Adventure’ Short Story Competition closes.  
• Tuesday 19 August: Book Week Dress-Up Parade Students are invited to come to school dressed as a favourite book character.  
• Thursday 21 August: Author Visit – Years 1 & 2 Adelaide-based author Janeen Brian will share her stories and creative insights.  
• Thursday 21 August: Reception Lunchtime Library Picnic Reception girls will enjoy a special lunchtime picnic in the library with stories and themed activities.  
• Friday 22 August: Story Snorts Performance. Years 3–6 will watch an engaging and interactive improv storytelling performance in the Junior School Hall. 

We are looking forward to a joyful and inspiring week as we celebrate the gift of reading and the incredible adventures it brings.  

Photo Reminder 

• Monday 18 August: Cocurricular Photos 
• Wednesday 20 August: Class & Individual Photos  

All students are required to wear full winter uniform on these days including blazer.   

Lisa Sexton

Assistant Principal: Head of Junior School

Science Week 

This week, our school was buzzing with curiosity and creativity as we celebrated Science Week. The event brought the whole junior school together in a spirit of exploration, with each year level diving into hands-on projects designed to spark wonder and encourage science conversations at home. 

In the early years, our Reception to Year 2 students explored the fascinating domain of Biology by creating their very own Seed Bombs. This fun and eco-friendly activity not only taught them about plant life cycles and seed germination, but also gave them a chance to take a little piece of science home. Families are encouraged to plant these seed bombs and watch the results grow, creating an ongoing connection between classroom learning and the natural world. 

Our Year 3 and 4 students turned their attention to the exciting field of Physics, investigating the forces involved in parachuting. Students learned how air resistance and gravity work together to control a parachute’s descent. Their carefully crafted parachutes were put to the test in thrilling drop experiments — a highlight for students and teachers alike! 

Finally, our Year 5 and 6 students tackled a crowd favourite: Slime! This messy activity reintroduced them to the world of Chemistry, where they investigated the chemical reactions that transform everyday ingredients into the stretchy, squishy, and sometimes bouncy slime we all know and love.  

Overall, Science Week was a huge success, filling our classroom with laughter, discovery, and a shared excitement for learning (plus a fair bit of mess). I am proud of our students for their creativity and curiosity. 

Oliphant Science Awards 

Term 3 has burst into action with a wave of excitement as more than 30 of our Junior School students proudly submitted their projects for the Oliphant Science Awards. This incredible achievement represents six months of hard work, creativity, and scientific curiosity, and we couldn’t be prouder of the dedication and persistence each student has shown. 

The journey concluded with judging at the Science Alive Festival at the Showgrounds, where our students’ efforts truly shone. This year, we celebrated two Highly Commended projects — Reef Rangers by Harriet E & Millie G, and Pollinators at Work by Allegra D. In addition, Linyi H earned a prize for her Masters of Camouflage, which will be officially announced at the awards night later this year. 

To share this achievement with our community, all projects have been on display in the Junior School reception, where visitors have been able to admire the creativity, skill, and scientific thinking that went into them. 

Expressions of interest for next year’s competition will open in Term 1, and the event welcomes students of all ages and abilities. We encourage everyone to consider taking part — you never know where your curiosity might lead! 

Jessica Twelftree

Junior School Science Specialist Teacher