Junior School News

From the Head of Junior School

One of the highlights of my role working with children is when I get to see evidence of learning in action. This week I was fortunate to witness students enacting emotional intelligence that I am sure they have developed through their involvement in the RULER approach at Girton. The observation was not a general interaction in the classroom but rather an incident where things had gone wrong in the playground. One of our middle years' students had been acting in a way that frustrated other students. Rather than responding negatively, the other students calmly asked them to stop, negotiated an alternate play space and then told the first student that they could join them in the new game when they were ready to play appropriately. As an educator, it is heartening to see children of 9 and 10 years of age able to problem solve and regulate their emotions. Of course, not all student conflicts are resolved independently or amicably. What we are finding is that our students are able to reflect not only on how they were feeling but also on how the other students might have been feeling. Each week there are examples of our students demonstrating self-awareness and empathy. Our school has been using the RULER approach for over 10 years. On Thursday Ms Juergens and Mrs Stagg guided 20 Girton staff through their initial RULER training. At Girton, we value emotional intelligence education and the deep and lasting impact it has on the lives of our students and families.

Mr Donald Thompson

Head of Junior School

SRC Semester Two

Congratulations to our SRC students who have been elected by their peers to be the Student Representative Council members for their class.  Students will meet weekly across Semester Two with Mrs Beks, Mrs Fisher and Mr Turner to discuss ideas and initiatives for the Junior School. 

Year Six Decade Day

At the end of Term Two, our Year Six students celebrated the culmination of their Decade studies with a Dress Up Day.  The students have been studying the changes throughout the ages with a focus on a particular decade, which they presented to the class.  Presentations ranged from slideshows to talks, posters and demonstrations. 

Year Five Holiday Interviews

To learn how to be more effective communicators, the students of 5M practised their receptive and expressive language skills.

Pairs of students, called 'talking buddies' took turns describing their recent holiday highlights. Whilst one person spoke clearly the other person listened with intent. Our success criteria included using 'whole body' listening techniques to position our bodies correctly, give eye contact, and show understanding with facial expressions/movements.

 After the speaking and listening activity, each child created 10 open-ended questions to use as the basis for an 'interview'. The students took turns asking questions about their buddy's holiday and recorded the corresponding answers. This fabulous learning task integrated many aspects of language- reading, handwriting, spelling, writing, listening and speaking.

Divisional Netball 

Year Six Girls Netball Team

On Wednesday the 20th, the Year Six students competed in the Sandhurst Netball Tournament. The Girls team played seven games and won six of those games, and the Mixed team competed in five games and won one.

The players in both teams did very well, and we all tried our very best.

Thank you to our coaches, Miss Holmberg and Mrs Gibson for coaching us and making this day happen. Another thank you to all the organisers and Senior school umpires for helping throughout the day.

Stella Campbell (6 Riley) and Sarah Cooney (6 Jenkin)

Mixed Netball Team

We played in the Mixed Year Six netball team. It started off as a tough day. We lost the first round but won the second round. Even though we lost other rounds, we still enjoyed the experience. Everyone tried their best and everyone was proud of their accomplishments. Thank you to the organisers of the event, the coaches and umpires that volunteered their time. 

Emma Zhao (6 Jenkin) and Oliver Jensen (6 Millward)

Divisional Football

This year, the Junior School entered two teams in the Sandhurst Football Carnival. The carnival hosts schools from as far away as Echuca, Maryborough and Kyneton as well as many local schools.  Each team played six games in the 16 a side, round robin competition consisting of two eight minute halves.   

A very eager Girls Football Team took to the field on Tuesday, July 26. The girls were excited to be playing football, most for the very first time. What impressed most was the determination and effort the players gave all day. Contest after contest, the students tried their very best.   

The Girls Team 

Sophie Mahony, Sarah Cooney, Stella Campbell, Aurelia Ford, Rory Vandersmagt, Nadia Sampson, Elle Frederikson, Lucy Richard, Alicia Crowley, Leah Pickering, Ava Richards, Ayla Seiter, Maya Dhanapala, Charlie Fisher, Ruby Miller, Norah Rao, Isla Westbrook 

The boys team played the following day on Wednesday, July 27. The Boys Team played in Division 1A, the highest grouping. The students played extremely well, especially as most of which have never played together before. The Boys Team won one game and lost five. Best players on the day included Hugh Casey, Jedd Oxley, Oscar Worme and Spencer Snell. 

The Boys Team

Jedd Oxley, Marana Murray, Oscar Worme, Spencer Snell, Hugh Casey, Oliver Jensen, Riley Osborne, Sean Hughan, Ben Bowles, Felix Landsberg, Flynn Radford, Archer Yuen, Blake Bickley, Jordan Pinto, Will Donaldson, Abraham Harrington, Tate Cantwell, Joe Conlan, Ollie Wadkins. 

Both teams represented the School with distinction. 

A special thank you to Grace Whitsed (10 Riley), Tom Conlan (Year 10 Jones), Lachlan McKern (Year 10) their assistance on the day. 

Mrs Peter, Ms Juergens and Mr Turner

State Cross Country

During the school holidays, three of our Junior School students represented Girton at the State Cross Country Championships. Congratulations to Hugh Casey (6 Jenkin), Lucy Richard (5 Riley) and Blake Bickley (5 Aherne) for qualifying at all levels to be invited to compete at the State Finals. A special mention to Hugh for placing 11th in the 12 year old boys age group. 

Parent Evening: Positive Reading Habits 

Reading skills are essential for academic success and a fulfilling life. Put simply, reading makes us smarter, healthier and happier.  Parents are invited along to an after-school session to learn more about how to encourage positive reading habits at home. This event is suitable for parents at every year level of Junior School. 

Date:                     Wednesday 10th August

Time:                     3:30-4:30pm

Location:              Junior School Library       

Cost:                      Free of charge

Making Parenting a Little Easier

A SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR GIRTON JUNIOR SCHOOL PARENTS

Wednesday 31st August

5.30 pm – 7.00 pm

Junior School library

We are very excited that Behaviour Analyst and Director of Behavioural Resources Australia, Mr Dan Petro, will visit Girton Grammar School and share his latest research findings and professional experience on the straightforward, effective parenting practices that can make a significant difference for everyone. Dan Petro is well known to Girton Junior School staff and has been a source of positive and restorative behaviour management advice for many years. 

Background: 

Being a parent or carer is a demanding task under any circumstances. Parents can become at odds with their child as their independence grows and when searching for the best responses to tough situations. Other children in the home can also be impacted and relationships between adults can become strained.

This presentation will provide parents with flexible alternatives to draw upon to teach new skills at home, help establish daily routines, and effectively respond to changing and challenging situations.

About the presenter:

Dan Petro is a Behaviour Analyst and director of Behavioural Resources Australia Pty Ltd. Dan’s work in over 200 Australian schools and organisations has shown him to be an engaging and popular presenter. His academic background includes degrees in both behavioural science and counselling psychology, and Dan’s professional work uses content from materials he developed as an adjunct faculty member at universities in California.

Dan has trained hundreds of parents of both typical children and children with additional needs. Attending one of his workshops is a comfortable way to discover (or rediscover) those straightforward, effective parenting practices that can make a significant difference for everyone.

Bookings are essential: 

To secure you place at this (free) informative and practical parenting presentation, please register via Astra here: https://astra.girton.vic.edu.au/survey/attempt/3566/4243

Camp Australia