Junior School News
From the Head of Junior School
In a year that has been so disrupted, the commencement of Term 3 seemed to be quite normal. But, of course, that reflection is relative to the events of Term 1 and 2. The beginning of the term has not been a normal Term 3 start. We have temperature testing each morning, no parents in the grounds at the beginning and end of the day, staggered starts and, of most concern, a heightened sense of anxiety amongst our community. I would like to thank our parents for the way in which they have adapted to the changes in routines, whether that is the change in drop off and pick up times and routines, or the responses when they get a phone call from the office to come in and pick up a child who is feeling unwell. We understand that these are challenging times for everyone, parents staff and students, and are appreciative that everyone is working with us to keep our community safe while also providing as many opportunities for our students as is possible. Where we are unable to run programs, wherever possible, we are working hard to provide alternatives that will give our students similar outcomes.
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for students to develop higher levels of anxiety in times of local, national or, in this case, global turmoil. Even the calmest of children can be affected when they are inundated with images and information through community news sites or even conversations in the schoolyard. We are working hard at school to assure students that they are safe and that we are prepared. Even so, it is hard to shield students from the worrying messages that are pervading our everyday lives. I have provided below some links to educational videos provided by Parent Educator Michael Grose for those parents who would like more information on how to assist their children to reduce anxiety.
Four Tools for Anxiety Management
Developing a Resilience Mindset
Mr Donald Thompson
Head of Junior School
Student Obtains Rock Resembling Oz
Over the holidays, Ruby Flanagan from 5M (Jenkin) was fossicking in a creek just outside of Bendigo. She happened upon a rock that uncannily resembles the continent of Australia. Ruby was quick to notice that Tasmania was not represented so she speedily remedied the situation- with the addition of a diminutive stone!
Ruby’s discovery was placed on the ABC’s Facebook page and picked up and showcased by ABC Hobart. According to media feedback, it appears that Ruby’s inclusion/promotion of Tasmania was widely appreciated by people in the Apple Isle!
Ruby’s story was also published in the Weekly Times, (Wednesday, July 15).
Multiplication Cities
Our multiplication cities were made in a new subject 3D created – MART. A combination of Mathematics and Art. Our windows were multiplication arrays. The multiplication fact (timestable) was the tower number. The towers and houses were made from coloured paper. Our background was the night sky. Our cities looked like Melbourne!
Norah Rao (3 Riley)
Recipe Books
Here in 3D we have been making some recipe books. We started off the lesson by listening to childhood favourite ‘Wombat Stew’. After, we listed the equipment, method and ingredients (which funnily enough had no wombat).
Then we set off for work, we started to decorate the front cover then moving into ingredients and equipment. Once done, we started writing and after that made it like a professional cookbook. Our recipes were family favourites or dishes from our culture.
Rishiv Sasalu (3 Frew)
