From the Head of Junior School

Early Childhood Centre Beach Fun Day

The Early Childhood Centre Beach Fun Day at Emu Point was blessed with ideal weather last Thursday. Students from Kindergarten to Year Two, together with Year Six House leaders enjoyed a morning filled with beach activities including parachute games, sandcastle making, relays, tag games, frisbee throwing, continuous cricket and playground climbing.

The smiles on everyone’s faces was golden, and the perfect way to celebrate the end of 2021 together as an ECC. Year Six House leaders were wonderful in leading a small group throughout all the activities. It was their final ‘formal’ duty as leaders of the Junior School, and a lovely one to finish, capped off with a House leaders breakfast.

Many families joined their children for a picnic after the beach activities, which was just gorgeous along the grassed area underneath the shady trees. Well done to all the ECC staff for their efforts in preparing the day and running it so successfully, and to families for supporting the morning. Congratulations to the students for such a great morning, and to push on to swimming lessons afterwards – what a big day! Sincere thanks to Miss Claire Hard – ECC Coordinator for her superb organisation of the event, and persistence to keep the event going after it was postponed once due to poor weather.

Children’s University

Last week 30 Junior School students from Years Three to Six attended their first ‘graduation’ from the inaugural Children’s University programme. Children’s University is an organisation that partners with Universities, community organisations and Primary schools throughout Australia. Our university partners in Albany are the University of Western Australia and Edith Cowan University. The aim of the program is to spark an interest and love of learning for young people, highlighting opportunities for them to consider exploring further in the future.

Students involved in the programme registered their extra-curricular activities in a log-book that was authorised by Ms Angelina Ross, Gifted and Talented Coordinator at GSG and the key liaison for the Children’s University. Extra-curricular activities could be groups they are involved with after school through sport or music, or perhaps trips they had taken to registered community activities like Historical Museum or Environmental Centres. Students were recognised if they had logged more than 30 hours of learning throughout the year, with many students achieving well beyond this number of hours.

Students loved the formality of dressing in regalia and mortarboard, followed by the processional into the Albany Entertainment Centre lead by a GSG bagpiper. Students crossed the stage to receive their certificate from Professor David Sadler, UWA Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education.

It was a wonderful occasion and perfect finale to a year learning and exploring throughout the programme. Thank you to our Children’s University project officer Alex Gerrard for her support throughout the year, to Ms Angelina Ross for her oversight of the programme at GSG, and to Jennifer O’Neil, UWA Albany Director, for hosting the event.

Events Coming Up

Saturday 4 December | Albany Christmas Pageant (for Years Five and Six)

Year Five students have been working with an artist in residence – Cecile Williams to create a Christmas Float for the City of Albany Pageant. This years theme is ‘Sparkle’. We are looking forward to seeing what our Year Five students have created.

Students from Year Five and Year Six are invited to walk with the float for the pageant, and all families are invited to attend and watch the wonderful event to get into the Christmas Spirit.

Monday 6 December | School Christmas Service with class parties in the afternoon

At 10.15am in the Multi-Purpose Sport Complex, School Chaplain Mrs Naomi Cooper will lead a Christmas Service for the whole school, from Pre-Primary to Year Eleven. Families are invited and most welcome to attend this event. In the afternoon, during school time, classes will be holding an informal class party. Class teachers will send specific information regarding this directly to families, but this usually involves each student bringing an item of food for the class to enjoy together.

Tuesday 7 December | Junior School Awards and Christmas Concert (final day of the year for Junior School students)

As a culmination of the year, all Junior School students will attend a morning ceremony to recognise special achievement awards throughout the year. We will also recognise and celebrate our Year Six students' final day with the Junior School and thank them for their contribution and leadership of the Junior School this year. Families are warmly invited to attend this event.

Following the awards ceremony, after morning recess, the much-loved Junior School Christmas Concert will be held, with performances from every class throughout the Junior School, and a staff item as well! Families are welcome to attend this event, it will be a lovely community occasion to share and celebrate a wonderful 2021.

With warmest regards, and appreciation,

Mr Ken Raven | Head of Junior School

From the Canteen

Daily Specials for Week Nine (last week of school)