Junior School Update

Big Week Bonanza - Part 2  

Book Week (21 – 25 August) is always a special time at Shelford and we enjoy running exciting events such as Way too Cool! And the Book Week parade to celebrate the special place reading has in our lives in and out of school.  

Way Too Cool! 

On Tuesday morning all Junior School students enjoyed an educational musical to celebrate the Children's Book Week 2023 theme: READ, GROW, INSPIRE. The performers, Zoe and Mitch, included all the books that were nominated this year in their performance. Way too Cool! was about friendships and how they can change can shift and go in different directions. Henry and Marley were best friends and they were very similar but they started to grow apart when Henry made a new friend named Tam, who was really cool and exciting. We really enjoyed the performance, and we hope to have them back at Shelford again. 

By Arin J and Olea C (Y6)

Y5 and 6 Immigration Museum Excursion

The Year 5 and 6 students were lucky enough to visit the Immigration Museum on Monday August 21. We learned about different stories coming from lots of different people and their journeys to Australia. We each received our ‘passport’ and toured this fascinating museum. We wrote down everything we learnt, answering many thought-provoking questions. After lunch, we went on a tour around the city to see and learn about the past and how Melbourne has changed over time. 

By Elis S and Abbey M (Y6) .  

Parliament Prize 

Each year, the Parliament of Victoria asked students across the state, from Grade 5 to Year 12, to share what they would say to parliament if you were an MP. This provided students with the chance to talk about the issues that are important to them and their community. Last term several Year 5 and 6 students entered the 2023 Parliament Prize competition by recording and submitting their own 90-second Member’s Statement video.  

We are excited to report that Ariana F (Y5), Alicia N (Y5), Caitlin D (Y6), and Milla S (Y6) were awarded with Highly Commended Certificates. This is only awarded to students who placed within the top 10% of their category. The judges were really impressed with the enthusiasm and passion these students displayed in their member statements. 

ISV Poetry Competition 

Ariana F also received an honourable mention in this year's ISV Poetry Competition. 

https://artslearningfestival.com.au/news/student-poetry-competition-2023-years-5-6/ 

The poem Ariana entered was inspired by her dog Shadow. 

The Dog Ate My Homework

A dribble of drool,

A furry fool.

A lot of slobber,

A wisdom robber.

Torn up books,

Suspicious looks.

One plus one? I have no clue,

But there was something in his poo…

Who invented electricity? 

Ask the pup, not me!

Then the clock struck, it was time to go,

But I had nothing to show.

And so you see, I didn’t shirk - 

The dog ate my homework!

The Victorian Interschools SnowSports Championships 

Earlier this term Tayla B (Y4), Peta O (Y4) and Stella M (Y6) participated in the Victorian Interschools SnowSports Championships. 

It was great to see lots of people participating and trying their hardest. Everyone showed amazing sportsmanship even when the weather didn't go to plan. Although we were lucky to get a beautiful sunny morning. Overall, it was a great experience and I'm very grateful that the snow lasted long enough for interschools to run! – Stella M 

School Sport Australia Diving Championships 

Zara M (Y4) proudly represented Victoria in the School Sport Australia Diving Championships at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre last month (21 - 27 August). 

Her amazing results are below: 

Team Synchronised Group One – First place 

10 Years Girls Springboard – Second place 

10-12 Years Girls and Mixed Synchronised – Third place 

What a fantastic achievement Zara!  

National Eisteddfod (Piano) 

Last week, Oriana K (Y5) participated in the National Eisteddfod in Canberra (31 Aug - 3 Sept). It was very challenging as all 9 sections fell on the same day. That meant Oriana needed to get nine AmusA level pieces ready at the same time! The total length of her program was 50 minutes, across sections from 9am until 9pm on Friday. Her incredible results are below: 

• 10 years old own choice section: 1st place 
• 10 years old classical section: 1st place 
• 10 years old baroque section: 1st place 
• 11 years old own choice section: 2nd place 
• 11 years old classical section: Highly commended 
• 11 years old 20th century section: 2nd place 
• 12 years old sonatina section: Highly commended 
• 12 years old French, Norwegian & Russian solo section: 
• 2nd place 
• 12 years old classical section: 2nd place 

Oriana is very proud of her contrasting program and excited about winning some prize money! Amazing work Oriana, we are so proud of you!

Wellbeing check-in

One of the things that causes upset in our young people the suspicion that they are discussed by others. In the Junior School, we’ve been exploring the idea that what people say is more a reflection of them than the person they’re speaking about. This idea is that our words are like a mirror that reflects our interests, feelings, and how we treat others. Therefore, it's important to choose words carefully because they show the world who we really are. 

Vicky Gemmell

Head of Junior School – Student Wellbeing and Development

Jacqui Sidaway

Head of Junior School – Curriculum and Innovation