Junior School News

With the quick change back to remote learning for our Junior School Learners it is important to remember to look after our mental health, our physical health and our emotional health. Try to be active every day, speak up about any concerns or worries you have and focus on the positives – there are always positives to be found. 

Year Level Coordinators are here to help with any concerns and can assist students to work through these. There is also the wellbeing email students can choose to access, wellbeing@gec.vic.edu.au. We are so thankful to have such a supportive community around us at this time and want to congratulate everyone on the quick transition back to remote learning. 

We look forward to seeing all our students’ smiling faces online, so if anything may impact on students’ ability to engage in learning, please let us know. 

Haroula Loucaides

Junior School Leader

Year 7 News

As we continue with the demands of remote learning, the Year 7s have enjoyed a range of learning opportunities to enrich their studies. Although we prefer the live interaction of presentations, students enjoyed the Science incursion online to Get Focused. 

We encourage students to continue to document their classes and opportunities in their planners as part of good habit forming to Get Organised. Teachers will check planners on return to school to support students to develop independent learning skills. 

The first 70 pages of the Junior School planners provide a wealth of information for parents/carers and students. Currently teachers are documenting Progress Reports around behaviours for learning. The descriptors are clearly explained on Page 42. Students are also completing a range of Common Assessment Tasks (CATs) across all their subjects that will be reported against the appropriate Victorian Curriculum Standards. The key to understanding their summative assessment is easily understood on Page 41. It is good to have a look at the descriptors with your child so everyone is on the same page when talking about school reports. If you have any questions about assessment or reports, please email Ms Cordingley or Mr Sherman and they will endeavour to help you understand the process. 

As remote learning is particularly difficult and student wellbeing is at the centre of our teaching, please contact us if you have any questions about how to support your child’s learning and success. We understand the difficulties of lockdown and we are here to help you. 

Get Involved: Year 7B enjoyed the recent Science Incursion during Science Week and made clear connections between studying Science and studying Geography. 

Riya Kanta 7B

I learnt about how sustainable agriculture is important for our future as we’re already seeing a decrease in the amount of food we have compared to the expected population for 2050 (10 billion people), and this could later affect the population, and ultimately, our whole environment. I can connect this to Geography as we’re studying soil and our environment.  

Anushka Srinivasan 7B

Something I learnt in the science incursion which correlates with Geography is that when cows produce methane, the gas is a major contributor of global warming. The relationship to Geography is that the gas and global warming causes major problems to the environment and is ruining the land. 

Laura Wong 7B

During the Science incursion, I learnt that it is important to balance the use of land. We cannot use one piece or land too much as it will then be strained from all its nutrients. This connects with what we are doing in Geography as we are learning about soil erosion, the layers and weathering. The incursion has added to my knowledge about soil. 

My Story: Fern’s Escape - Hillai Yemini 7C 

On Tuesday the 17th of August, my Mum's friend discovered that Fern had broken past state border security by riding amongst the bananas as a stowaway. Of course she was hidden amongst the yellow and green foliage and arrived safe and sound at Caulfield Coles. No one knew about her escape, especially the government, so she didn’t have to go into quarantine. No, Fern sat hidden in the fruit and veggie section amongst a bunch of bananas waiting for someone to rescue her and bring her to me. My Mum’s friend did exactly that. She scooped up the little green escapee from up north and said to Fern, ‘I know just the person to care for you and keep you warm while you heal after your long ordeal.’ Carefully, Fern was transported to my bedroom where I was so happy to look after her. I missed English class that day, because I had to go and buy a terrarium, some food and plants to create a bioactive environment: her new home. Being only 3 cm long, she is fully grown and she has great style: dressed brightly in iridescent green. Every day I watch Fern, my dainty tree frog, get stronger and stronger as she recovers and bonds with me. 

Premier’s Reading Challenge:

Pranav Swarup 7C and Caitlin Gilfedder 7C have been collating the tally for the House Competition for the Premier’s Reading Challenge. The recent Year 7 Assembly revealed that we have 12.6% of Year 7s who have read more than 15 books, therefore they have completed the Challenge. Of course, these avid readers will continue to enjoy their favourite authors and series. According to Pravnav and Caitlin, Emerald continues to lead the tally for most books read across the Houses. Remember, if you want to enter a new world and ignite your imagination, relax and read a book. 

Scan the QR code below to see and listen to Pranav Swarup Y7C give the Acknowledgement of Land in his first language. Thank you Pranav for this respectful and genuine dedication.

Deborah Cordingley & Jake Sherman

Year 7 Coordinators

Year 8 News

As we all face the challenges of another lockdown, Ms Ballingall and I commend all Year 8 students for your positive approach to your studies online under difficult circumstances. Continuing to complete the Morning Check-in survey each day before 11am, allows us to make sure that you are all okay, so please remember to do this. Joining your meet on time and being respectful to each other and your teachers whilst online, also helps everyone to feel more comfortable about online learning.  

On a brighter note, the Year 8 camp, which will be held at The Summit in Gippsland from 15-17 November, is drawing nearer. A reminder to those Year 8 families who have not already done so, that consent to attend the camp needs to be provided on XUNO prior to the 27th of August to secure your place at this exciting event.

Please remember that Ms Ballingall and I are here to support you, so please feel free to contact us should you have any concerns.

Chris Zuccala and Jess Ballingall

Year 8 Coordinators

Year 9 News

As another week of online learning passes, we want to remind students that we are in this together and to be there for each other. 

With the removal of the daily commute to school, we have extra time in the morning available to us. Ms Kaur and I want to encourage everyone to seize this opportunity, to have a healthy start to the day in order to sustain your motivation. We encourage you to reflect on how you are utilising your mornings for this purpose. 

This could look like:

• Morning meditation
• Morning exercise
• Morning reading
• Morning goal setting and much more!

Congratulations to the Semester One Award Recipients, keep up the great work! 

We hope everyone took full advantage of the activities on offer for Book/English Week & Science Week recently. These activities provide opportunities to mix up the day and offer something different at home. 

Lastly, please keep remembering to complete the daily check in survey, please remember to turn your cameras on and please remember to reach out to us if you need any further support. 

Stay safe, stay kind.

Sasha Byrnes & Parminder Kaur

Year 9 Coordinators