Message from the 

Head of Junior School

As we move towards the end of what has been a very difficult period of schooling it has given opportunities to look at the academic, well-being and co-curricular programs of our Junior School. The students’ response to all the changes and challenges has been outstanding. They returned to school some weeks ago full of enthusiasm and excitement in reacquainting with their teachers and classmates. 

In the last Newsletter, I made mention of the independence of our younger children in making their way to and from school. Resilience comes immediately to mind, a wonderful school value that is so important in our lives today - our students are examples of this as they negotiate the many changes. 

Zaro Jalal from Year 3 has received some wonderful news over the last week. Some time ago he wrote an engrossing story on Detectives. He submitted his work in a writing competition with Writing 4 Fun and his work will now be published in a book of children’s work called ‘The Inside Story 2020’ which will be out in November. Congratulations Zaro. 

Our vegetable garden suffered over the extended break but is now coming back to life with Year 3, Year 1 and a number of students from other years cleaning up the weeds and planting the winter vegetables. They are looking very healthy for picking in the coming months. 

Our Year 6’s, despite not travelling to Canberra to study our Government system, have brought Canberra to the classroom establishing their own parliament with ministers, bills, challenges and takeovers! Their argumentative skills are being honed as is their development in thinking ‘on their feet’. 

Year 5 have been producing iMovies based around the theme of “A Key”. Some very clever and creative movies have been made. They are up to 5 minutes of entertaining viewing. Congratulations to our Year 5 students. 

You have recently received notification of our withdrawal from local sporting competitions for Term 3. While disappointing for some it has given us an opportunity, so long as the current conditions remain, to try a different approach to our sporting competitions for Term 3. This information will be circulated in the coming days. 

Our Performing Arts co-curricular program has also been very creative in conducting lessons and even an ensemble online! The Four Fiddles under the guidance of Mrs Moxey have managed to bring all four together in a performance – very clever! The link was in the last Newsletter and if you missed it, we’ve added it again.

We farewell Miss Emily Burton at the end of term as she pursues other interests. Miss Burton has been at KWS since 2016 teaching Kindergarten. During this time, she has been instrumental in setting children on their educational journey and all her students will have fond memories of their first year at ‘Big School’. Miss Burton has been involved in the co-curricular program covering sports such as Netball, Swimming and Hockey and played a valuable part in the various K-2 musicals. We wish her all the very best as she takes on new challenges and sincerely thank her for her contributions to the Junior School. 

Mrs Louise Bromley, a very experienced and skilled early childhood teacher will be replacing Miss Burton for the remainder of the year. Mrs Bromley is well-known to the students as she has fulfilled many casual positions over the last 2 years. She will be here over the next week transitioning to the role. 

Mr Romko Hordynsky will be taking leave for the remainder of the year and we wish him all the very best and support following the recent passing of his wife, Cindy, last November. 

Finally, a comment from one of our students who was a couple of minutes late to school on Monday. Mrs Kennewell asked the reason, were you at an appointment or just late? The reply - I had to do my hair! Love the honesty. 

Over recent weeks we acknowledged the following students:

• Angus Boyd - Commitment & Improvement (Week 8)
• Mahi Bohra - Commitment to Studies (Week 8)
• Joshua Westcott - Demonstrating all School Values (Week 8)
• Digby Volkofsky - Principal's Award (Week 8)

Keep safe and healthy. 

Mr Rob McLean

Head of the Junior School