Learning Across the
Junior School

From the Head of Junior School & Early Learning

As we approach the long weekend and consider a restful break with our families, it is hard to believe that we have only been back at school for six weeks. I now have fading memories of starting the year with online learning and heightened uncertainties surrounding COVID restrictions…which makes me reflect on how remarkable our Junior School girls are. They have demonstrated tenacity, courage, and great care for each other as they have navigated each new week and changes to their routines. The wonderful flow of school life is slowly returning, and they are embracing all that is possible. Classrooms are energised with learning and our R-12 Athletics Carnival and Years 4-6 Swimming Carnival were fabulous community events, that the girls participated in with great enthusiasm and joy. A wonderful assortment of co-curricular activities has also resumed, including new offerings such as Art Club, Come & Try Sport, and Ballet. We have six, Years 5 and 6, debating teams ready to begin training, and the Quad is again filled with music as bands and ensembles practice in the music room.

As we transition back to familiar routines there is adjustment, and some students may still require guidance to understand their feelings and thoughts surrounding the virus. On Loreto Connect we have created a SEAD tile for parents titled: Supporting your daughter through Coronavirus. Included are many practical suggestions about how to respond to their questions or worries. Encouraging discussion and clarifying misunderstandings is important and provides reassurance and comfort. Equally important for their wellbeing is the opportunity to relax and spend time doing things that are calming - being around friends and family, enjoying the sunshine, gardening, cooking, creating something, playing with a pet, making a cubby, riding their bike…

I hope all families enjoy a peaceful long weekend. May we keep the families in the Ukraine in our thoughts and prayers.

Ms Marika Snell

Head of Junior School and Early Learning Centre

International Women's Day in the Junior School

March 8 is International Women's Day. It's a cause for celebration but also a time to remember how hard things were for women in the past. Women all over the world have fought (or are still fighting) for equal rights, including the right to vote and equality in the workplace.

Year 3 were very surprised to learn that in the past women were not allowed to work, and many were not educated. They learnt South Australian women were some of the first in the world to be given the right to vote and the first to be allowed to run for parliament! They discovered that Australian university’s didn’t open their doors to women until the late 1800’s, which meant they could study to become doctors or scientists. They were horrified to find that even though some women completed university, they were still not allowed to work.

Year 3 gives thanks to all the determined women who went before.

Ms Hattie Ziesing

Year 3 Teacher

Forces in Action

During the past four weeks, Year 4 have been learning about Forces in Action. Throughout this inquiry unit students have been exploring topics around contact and non-contact forces. They have developing critical thinking skills as they discussed and answered questions like: Why do rock climbers and gymnasts use chalk? Why do trucks and busses have to travel at a slower speed down the hill to Adelaide than a car? Why doesn't gravity pull us all the way to the centre of the Earth?

Recently they had their culminating experiment where science teams of 3 designed a procedure to answer the question, How does friction affect the speed of a toy car? Students were given 4 different materials to test out: cardboard, bubble wrap, aluminium foil and terry cloth (towel). Teams were required to test each material for 3 trials using the same car and the same slope.

After stating their hypothesis, students conducted the experiment, analysed their results and wrote a conclusion. Our Year 4 students are scientists ready to learn more about the world around them!

Ms Catherine Boots

Year 4 Teacher

Learning in Year 5

The last few weeks have been an absolute blast in Year 5! Our biggest highlights of course have been the R-12 Athletics Carnival and the 4-6 Swimming Carnival. It was fabulous to see the girls engage in tremendous team spirit and sportsmanship, particularly when cheering each other on. The Year 5s showed perseverance and grit, and we witnessed many personal achievements as a result.

A special thanks goes to Ms Dew and the PE department for organising such events for us. We are now looking forward to participating in the Water Safety Program at The Arc next week, where we will further develop our swimming skills.

Another huge highlight this week was International Women's Day. In Year 5, we have been studying Democracy and so on International Women's Day we researched the work of females in the past who have broken through unfair systems to achieve great things. In particular, we investigated the Suffragette League, and compared the work of these incredible women to Mary Ward, who also paved the way for many females such as ourselves. We were lucky to have Ms Muirhead visit the Year 5s to speak about the incredible work of Mary Ward and the IBVM sisters. Through reflections and class discussions, we expressed gratitude for all of the women who have come before us to improve the rights of women around the world.

Ms Abby Stevens & Ms Esther San Miguel

Camp Australia

We are proud to partner with Camp Australia to provide our Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) program.

Camp Australia programs are centred on child enrichment, while ensuring a reliable, engaging and hassle-free OSHC service at our school. Their engaged educators foster a safe, inclusive environment where children can relax, have fun and grow.

At Your OSHC by Camp Australia, every before school, after school and pupil free day program is tailored to the likes and interests of each child in service. Camp Australia’s educators design enriching experiences to inspire your children’s confidence, independence and imagination. In any one week, they could be participating in science experiments, active play, creative expression and more – they believe in learning through experience so that each child can grow.

Click here to find out more about Camp Australia’s program at our school, including hours of operation and fees. To attend care, you must register your child. Register now for free.

Rocketeers - Extraordinary Holiday Adventures

Rocketeers by Camp Australia is a space for children to escape the ordinary and experience the extraordinary during their school holidays. Every school holiday break is a new mission for children to embark upon. With carefully designed programs, directed by the children and informed by family feedback, no two days are the same with Rocketeers. Experiences planned could include games, arts & crafts, sport, excursions, cooking, coding and more.