Junior School Report

The Junior School has had a busy and productive Term 3 with a variety of incursion and excursions taking place. These include:

Science Dome
Little Shop of Horrors Production
Night of the Notables
City Experience
KIOSC Excursions
Respectful Relationships / Challenge Program
District Athletics

A reminder that in Term 4 the summer uniform is worn. The Junior School team will continue to maintain high expectations in regards to our uniform. Therefore, it is expected that all students will be in full summer uniform on their return to school in term 4. If students / parents are unsure of the uniform expectations, please refer to the College planner or contact your relevant coordinator.

As we progress into summer, we also encourage students to maintain a sun smart approach and ensure they wear their hat when out in the yard and ensure they stay hydrated throughout the day.

City Experience

On Monday 9 September, the Year 9 students participated in the City Experience program providing them with an array of new experiences outside of the classroom. Throughout the week students were provided the opportunity to visit the Melbourne Gaol, participate in rock climbing and a river cruise along the Yarra River, and learn more about Australia’s participation in the World Wars and the sacrifices the soldiers made for our country.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Ms Su-Nhi Kim for all of her hard work in the preparation for this program, and organising a unique and rewarding experience for the students. Additionally, we extend our gratitude to the teachers who assisted on the days in ensuring our students were supported in what was a challenging experience.

Please read below a reflection on the city experience program:

From the crowded train rides to the fascinating tours, city experience was definitely that, an experience and a great one too. We had the extraordinary opportunity to visit places such as Imax, with the largest screen in the southern hemisphere, Melbourne Sea Life, with the beautiful animals and the War Memorial where we got pay our respects and learn about the sacrifices Australian soldiers made for us.

Although it was nerve racking at first, it was great to be able to make your own way through the city and get a taste of life after school, and the responsibility it holds.

Zoe Steenhuis 9B

Respectful Relationships

On Friday 6 September, the Year 8 and 9 students participated in the second day of the Respectful Relationships / Challenge Program. The students learnt about skills associated with problem solving, and the importance of considering the options and outcomes to then make an informed decision on how to solve particular problems. Students were also taught a variety of coping strategies when dealing with stress and anxiety, such as meditation and mindfulness activities.

In addition to the learning that took place in the classrooms, students were treated to a performance from the theatre company Class Act, and an opportunity to learn the skills of cartooning with cartoonist Matt Glover. The play ‘Show Some Respect’ explored themes of developing respectful relationships, social media and respect, and setting boundaries within relationships.

There are two more days left of this program taking place on:

Wednesday 23 October

Friday 22 November

Holiday Break

Once again, we would like to thank the students and staff in junior school for a productive Term 3 and wish you all a safe and restful holiday break.

Mr Donovan Lawrence - Year 7 Coordinator

Mr Jake Barnett - Year 8 Coordinator

Ms Su-Nhi Kim - Year 9 Coordinator

Ms Emily Phibbs - Head of Junior School

Terra Cotta Warriors Excursion

On Wednesday 21 August, the Year 7 cohort went on an excursion to the National Gallery of Victoria for the Terra Cotta Warriors and Cai Guoqiang’s exhibition.

In a dual presentation of Chinese art and culture past and present, the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces series at the National Gallery of Victoria presents China’s ancient terracotta warriors alongside an exhibition of new works by one of the world’s most exciting contemporary artists, Cai Guo-Qiang.

Students spent a whole day at the exhibition, starting with a one hour introduction session going through the basics of the Terra Cotta Warriors and the artwork of Cai. They then split into different groups and went to two different exhibits.

Students have fully enjoyed themselves and some of their thoughts on the excursion:

“Standing next to the warriors was my highlight. I just thought how amazing it was to be standing next to something from a few thousand years ago.”

Luke Couch 7B

“I learnt that jade was a symbol in ancient China and some of the art got stolen in China.”

Heath and Jorden 7C

“It was really cool to actually see something that was made thousands of years ago and if we were to date back that time, we could see some paint on it.”

Caitlin and Lea 7C

“I learnt so much about Chinese history and the culture by reading the information on the artifacts.”

Noah 7C

“ We learnt that traditional Chinese art is very different to the modern Chinese art.”

Maddy and Lola 7B and 7C

“ The experience was amazing and very creative. My highlights were the art by Cai Guoqiang because it was very creative using the gunpowder and the hung birds from the ceiling.”

Alex 7B and Imogen 7C

“It was an amazing experience and I absolutely loved it and in the future I would like to do something as interesting next year.”

Harrison Voysey 7C

“ Going to the gallery was my favourite event of this term. I love the Chinese light as it was very bright and red. I still can’t believe that the birds cost $10,000 each.”

Jaslyn and Jocelyn 7B and 7C

A bit background about the show:

Cai Guo-Qiang’s multidisciplinary practice is conceptually grounded in contemporary social issues and his lifelong interest in Eastern philosophy as a means to inquire into our relationship with the universe. Exposing traditional Chinese materials, paper, porcelain and silk to gunpowder explosions during a series of live ignitions, Cai Guo-Qiang. The Transient Landscape presents a new body of work inspired by the history, places and culture that served as the backdrop to the reign of China’s first emperor Qin Shihuang, and the creation of the terracotta warriors.

The discovery of the terracotta warriors, one of the most significant archaeological finds of the twentieth century, was made by chance. In March 1974, seeking water during a period of drought, local farmers began digging an irrigation well in Lintong district, Xi’an. Little more than a metre below ground, they unearthed fragments of the terracotta army, including a warrior’s head and a group of bronze arrowheads. Had the farmers commenced their digging a metre to the east, the warriors may have remained undetected.

The enormous tomb mound of China’s first emperor, Qin Shihuang, is located 1.5 kilometres from the terracotta warriors. While this has been the Qin emperor’s recognised tomb site over the centuries, astoundingly the creation of the warriors who guarded it was never recorded and knowledge of their existence was lost over time. It was recorded that the emperor employed and conscripted up to 700,000 workers to construct his mausoleum, the terracotta army and other buried items, making it the largest and most ambitious mausoleum construction in China’s history. To date, approximately 2000 of an estimated 7000 warriors have been excavated, and the pieces on display here represent the variety of individuals created, their positions within the army and their styles of apparel.

Ms Yi Li

Chinese Teacher

Careers

Understanding Apprenticeships and Traineeships