Junior School News

At the end of term two, we farewelled Mr. Luke Wilson, one of our Assistant Principals who oversaw the junior school as a whole. Mr. Wilson is now working as Principal at a closer school to his residence. We thank Mr. Wilson for all he has done in supporting junior school students and staffing team over the past few years; all with a good sense of humour. We welcome Mrs. Diana Kennedy as our Assistant Principal now overseeing junior school.

Students in years 7, 8 and 9 have been working well so far this term, settling back into school routines and new elective subjects. Hopefully your child’s school report was able to give you insight in to how your son/daughter is achieving in their school work, particularly in relation to the CATs (Common Assessment Tasks). All students had a session in home group during the first week of this term to enable them to reflect on their reports and set goals to help improve their educational outcomes throughout this second semester.

Year 7’s had an assembly hosted by Victoria Police to provide students with information, tips and advice about the law in regard to online cyber safety. With technology at the fingertips of our students, it is important they understand how to be safe and what the law is in relation to such matters. This is another reason why the Department of Education require that students do not use their mobile phones at all, while at school. A reminder that if a student does require their mobile phone for school hours, it must be kept locked in their lockers and not used at all throughout the school day.

Year 9 students have recently completed their course counselling with staff connected to the senior school team. Students and families met with staff to discuss their future pathways and select course and subject options for their movement in to the senior school next year. 

Year 12 Interact Club are running a fundraising event on Friday the 5th September, the Wheel-a-thon which raises money to buy wheelchairs for those in need overseas. There will be a series of fun events to help raise awareness and funds. This event will be run with our year 7 students this year, and we look forward to providing some photos in the next newsletter edition.

At the beginning of next term our year 9 students will embark on their City Experience excursions. Years 9 A, B and C will visit the city from Tuesday 7th October to Friday 10th October, and 9 D, E and F will visit the city from Tuesday 14th October to Friday 17th October. All students will depart from Dandenong Station and be escorted to and from the city with Lyndale staff. Students will have the opportunity learn about the offerings of the Melbourne CBD and surrounds through visits to the MCG, the Shrine of Remembrance, Eureka Tower, Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), and the plight of the Salvation Army and their assistance to the homeless. They will also learn about Melbourne’s culture through a laneways walk, a visit to the Queen Victoria Market and an opportunity to create some of their own street art at the ‘Blender Studios’.

To support this experiential learning, Year 9 students will undertake a number of lessons about Melbourne in their home group sessions, learning about Melbourne’s history, its grid street layout and the public transport network. A reminder that this is a compulsory Year 9 activity and families need to make payment by Friday 12th September. No regular year 9 classes will run at school for the week that a particular year 9 class is scheduled to be in the city.

Adam Nettleingham

(Junior School Co-ordinator)