Junior School
SARAH BOARDMAN
Acting Head of Junior School
Building our community of up-standers, not bystanders.
As part of our ongoing work focused on supporting our students to reach new heights and to strive to be kind, respectful, motivated and engaged members of our Community, we have been exploring what it means to be an up-stander in life. Our Year 5 students in particular have been exploring the difference between being a bystander and an up-stander during the day, and the positive impact that using Habit 8: Find Your Voice can have when we are supporting each other. There is much research into the power that proactive, positive strategies can have on the overall wellbeing of students in schools, and how empowering children to be up-standers, to confidently speak up and support each other when needed during the day.
This can include discussing and brainstorming different types of responses to different scenarios that may arise, and highlighting and celebrating students who have positively influenced our Community with the choices they have made. We look forward to seeing this mindset continue to be developed, as this will help to ensure our Community remains supportive, inclusive and positive for everyone who attends our School.
Book Week
Book Week was celebrated in style in the Junior School again this year. Our Book Parade on Wednesday was so much fun to be part of, and it was wonderful to see the imaginative costumes that made the different book characters come to life. The teachers also really got into this special occasion, with a great link shared on the Oakleigh Grammar Facebook page of all the fun. I would also like to acknowledge the wonderful authorship of the following students who have created their very own book to share with us. Well done to Mariah H, Archie B, Georgia D and Zac A for their wonderful work and illustrations. We will be displaying your books in the library for everyone to enjoy.
Orthodox Day
Our celebrations for Orthodox Day this week were another special event to be part of. During the day, all of our classes were able to explore the different Fruits of the Spirit, including self-control, kindness, joy, peace, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and patience, through lots of different activities. It was wonderful to see students considering how they are important attributes for everyone to live their lives by, and the choices that can be made to support these.
The obvious pride that could be seen on the faces of all the children during the Icon Parade with Father George was also wonderful to be part of. It was interesting to hear who the different saints were, and where the icons had come from. A huge thank you to Ms Popi Roumeliotis for all her hard work with organising the activities for everyone on the day, and for helping our celebrations run so smoothly. A truly blessed day for everyone involved.
School Uniform
It is great to see the number of students that are remembering to represent our School so proudly on their way to and from School each day. It has been pleasing to see everyone remembering to wear their blazer into School and home from School each day. We would just like to remind everyone that students need to wear School shoes with their School uniform. Sports shoes are only to be worn on sports uniform days. Also, don’t forget that any ties or bows that are worn in girls hair should be in School colours, and that shirts need to be tucked in too. Everyone’s assistance with this will continue to enhance the way we represent our School, and show we are ready to learn each day.
Student Achievement
We would like to congratulate one of our Year 5 students, Stephania Bitzios, for attaining the Grey Wolf, which is the highest award that can be gained in Scouts.
Stephania has shown great initiative in taking on this challenge, which has seen her use focus, self-discipline, teamwork and leadership over a longer period of time to complete this. We congratulate Stephania on her amazing achievement! Well done.
SARAH CAFFREY
Head of Junior School Teaching and Learning
Invisible Money
In a time of credit cards, internet banking and online shopping, children don't often see people buying products with physical money like notes and coins. Not seeing notes and coins exchanged for purchases makes it harder for young people to get their heads around what things cost. They might see this invisible money as an abstract and unlimited resource, rather than real money coming in and out of their family's bank accounts. If children develop good financial skills from an early age, they'll be ready for the financial challenges of adulthood.
At School, we have a strong curriculum focus aimed at providing students with a solid foundation in understanding money and economics, as this is critical for their personal development. Our teaching is supported with excellent tangible materials to explore money. Showing children the basics, such as how to budget, spend and save, will establish good money habits for life. I encourage you to talk to your children at home about money often, to help them understand this invisible money is real.
When to Talk About Money
Talking through real life situations and examples will help young people understand where money comes from, and how it is earned. Here are a few examples of how you could approach this with your child/children:
At the ATM. You could explain to your child that the ATM holds the money you have made by working hard and saving. It is not just a hole in the wall where money comes out. When you take money out of the ATM it is taken from your bank account, and you'll have less in your account to spend later.
At the supermarket or when shopping. When buying items at the supermarket, you can explain to your child/children how items are priced, and that you can get cheaper or more expensive versions of the same product. This is also an opportunity to discuss how you can shop around for the best price. You could get them to compare prices for you, and pick the cheapest one. If they want a particular brand, then explain the price difference to them.
Paying bills. When you receive bills in the mail or online, this can be an opportunity to explain that electricity or your internet connection costs money. You could explain that to pay a $150 power bill, it took you so many days at work to earn the money. This will help create a connection between time spent at work and money, as well as the fact that electricity and the internet cost your family money. It might also make them think twice about leaving lights and appliances on.
Doing a budget. Involving your child/children in discussions about your family budget helps give them a bigger picture about costs and spending. By explaining how much money your family has to spend every week, and how this money is spent, your child/children will better understand the costs of family life, and how much can be saved for other things.
Here a link to explore some online interactive money situations and games:
AMBRE BORNEMAN
Inquiry Learning Coordinator
‘Action is the voice of the children. It is student leadership at its finest. Action promotes a connection to learning’.
Action in Year 2
Our aim through inquiry learning, is to have our students complete the inquiry cycle, and endeavor to take responsible, thoughtful and meaningful action. The best way to encourage student action is to begin by giving children the knowledge of what action looks like. Our students in Year 2 were provoked into taking action as a result of watching the ABC’s War on Waste, during their unit ‘Water as a Resource’.
Cecelia and Anastasia in 2K were horrified to learn that to make a single cotton t-shirt, 2720 litres of water are used! This is particularly alarming when that is how much a human drinks in three years. With the support of their teacher, Mrs Kimonides, they took action and encouraged the School Community to re-purpose old t-shirts. The Year 2 students found their voices and got the whole school involved in a t-shirt bag making session last week; synergy at its best and so much fun.
Keep an eye out during Leadership Day for these amazing gifts. OG is taking on the war on waste!
