Newsletter of The Riverina Anglican College

HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL

This term, students have worked collaboratively with their teachers to conduct class inquiries into various topics. While engaging our students’ minds, we have noticed a shift in their learning from ‘knowing’ to a more in-depth understanding of the areas studied. Across the Junior School, student-initiated action has taken place by providing learning approaches that encourage them to reflect, choose, and act. In Year 4, students have sent letters to David Attenborough to voice their concerns about local and global environmental issues. The Wagga Zoo received artworks from our Kindergarten classes that communicated their request for particular animals they would like to see at the zoo. Year 2 students have invited teachers and students to celebrate their learning; through this event, they will be educating us on how our choices impact our wellbeing and the importance of wellbeing to all people in our world.

 

A benefit of learning in an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, such as ours, is that students are provided with the opportunity to develop international-mindedness through learning experiences that incorporate global engagement, intercultural understanding and multiculturalism. As IB learners, our students strive to be: inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced and reflective. These attributes help individuals and groups become responsible members of local, national and global communities. By developing the IB Learner Profile in our students, we support them in becoming self-directed inquirers and independent self-regulated learners. Across the Junior School, teachers have been explicitly teaching students about the Learner Profile attributes whilst embedding the Learner Profile in all aspects of school life. Some classes have analysed significant figures who have shown these traits, including Jacinda Arden and David Bowie, whilst other classes have reflected on their learning by creating visual representations for teaching others. 

 

Junior School interest groups are designed to ignite student curiosity for learning through interests and passions. It was very encouraging to see that students chose to participate in these activities and developed new friendships with like-minded peers along the way. Interest groups include journalism, drama/dance, chess, debating, animal planet, Math Olympiad, AFL, netball and book club.  Next term, Tournament of Minds, Ag. Club and parent-led learning activities will commence, and we couldn’t be more excited.

 

Head of Junior Sport, Ms Addison, has coordinated a memorable start to the year. In just seven short weeks, she organised for our students to participate in four soccer gala days and three different swimming carnivals — a big congratulations to Years 3 to 6 students involved in all these events. While around 70 students enjoyed the fun and games at the non-competitive swimming carnival, approximately 35 competitive swimmers joined the secondary students in attempting to qualify for representative honours. Ms Addison reported that the competitive carnival highlight was the final event where our students combined with the secondary school students to compete in a House relay. Points from both the competitive and non-competitive carnival were added together to calculate the award for the overall winning House: Wilsher! The following students received place ribbons:

 

From Year 3

  • Jack Arentz
  • Eliza Dennis
  • Claudia Plum
  • Matilda Garland

From Year 4

  • Lachlan Johnson
  • Edward Lotz
  • Ryan Gao
  • Ruby Cooper
  • Lucy Arentz
  • Charlie Garnock
  • Isla Jay

From Year 5

  • Olivia McLennan
  • Oliver Reynolds
  • Annabel Lotz
  • Harmony Downie
  • Jack Sheargold
  • Perle Grintell

From Year 6

  • Finn Garland
  • Tim Fagan
  • Lachlan Vincent
  • Piper Dennis
  • Daisy Charters
  • Rachel Ranby
  • Finn Hillam

The 2021 Swimming Age Champions are:

  • 9 Year Boy Age Champion - Jack Arentz
  • 9 Year Girl Age Champion - Matilda Garland
  • 10 Year Boy Age Champion - Edward Lotz
  • 10 Year Girl Age Champion - Ruby Cooper
  • 11 Year Boy Age Champion - Finn Hillam
  • Equal 11 Year Girl Age Champion - Perle Grintell and Annabel Lotz
  • Equal 12 Year Boy Age Champion - Timothy Fagan and Finn Garland
  • 12 Year Girl Age Champion - Rachel Ranby

Following on from the Competitive Swimming Carnival, qualifying students were able to attend the Riverina Associated Schools Swimming Carnival. A big congratulations to Finn, Ted and Ruby who all attended the RAS Swimming Carnival and received a place, along with all the members of the Junior Relay team - Lucy, Ruby, Isla and Primrose. At the NSW Combined Independent Schools Swimming Championships, the girls relay team knocked five seconds off their RAS Carnival time and Annabelle, Finn, Rachel and Ted all swam Personal Bests. In a huge achievement, Ruby swam five events and achieved five Personal Best times. Congratulations to everyone!

 

On behalf of the Junior School Team, I would like to thank all of our Junior School students and their families for making the beginning of our new school such a successful and enjoyable adventure. I wish you and your family many Easter blessings during this time of hope, joy, and renewal, and I look forward to learning together in Term 2.

 

Upcoming Events

Easter Hat Parade       Wednesday 31st March

Cross Country              Thursday 1st April

Last Day of School      Thursday 1st April

First Day of Term 2      Tuesday 20th April

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kylie Chacon | Head of Junior School