Junior School

Core Values

Psychologist, author and public speaker, Sherrie Campbell, writes for Entrepreneur Magazine and has published an article on raising exceptional children. In this, she mentioned seven different core values that parents/carers should strive to instil in their children.

• Teamwork – children should understand the values others hold in their lives by having healthy, supportive, and successful friendships.
• Self-care – children should learn that mindless time after responsibilities have been completed is important for their wellbeing.
• Seeing possibilities where others see problems – children should embrace problems as they allow for engagement in the creative process, being solutions-focused and positive in their thinking.
• Motivation – children should be modelled the power of motivation through encouragement, validation and support in goal setting.
• Time management – children should aim for the most important task to be accomplished first, making other tasks appear more manageable.
• Accepting responsibility – children should view mistakes as self-created learning opportunities. Accepting responsibility helps them feel the value of humility and to be flexible in their thinking. Powerful leadership is not about ego; it is about humility and a willingness to learn.
• Kindness – adults must teach children that all people have value, and they should act with a sense of grace in their treatment of others. 

Unsurprisingly, Campbell finishes with kindness; a value that drives the previous six and something that is constantly encouraged in the Junior School. In his book, The Happiest Man on Earth, Holocaust survivor Eddie Jaku wisely notes that, “It is never too late to be kind, polite, and a loving human being.”

May we be always mindful of these important words as we head into the final stretch of the school year.

2023 Student Leadership Voting

Congratulations to the following students from each Year 5 class who were nominated by their peers to take part in the second stage of the voting process for the 2023 Junior School Captain and two Vice Captain positions. 

Last week, these students delivered their own leadership speech to the Year 5 cohort before students and staff were asked to vote. These results are currently being calculated before the House Leader positions (Captain and Vice Captain of each house) will become available for 12 students across the grade.

Year 6 Thanksgiving Mass

On Tuesday 29 November, Year 6 will be hosting a celebratory Thanksgiving Mass in the College Chapel at 9:00 AM to acknowledge the upcoming conclusion of the current Year 6 cohort’s time in the Junior School. Following the service, a morning tea will be provided for all students and parents/carers in attendance. This will take place in the Robson Auditorium (next to the College Chapel) and the surrounding grass area. The event will conclude at approximately 11:00 AM and scheduled lessons for all boys will resume after recess.

Please note that parental attendance at our Year 6 Thanksgiving Mass requires an RSVP and further information regarding this occasion has already been communicated with our Year 6 families.

Semester 2 Optional Parent/Teacher Interviews

On Monday 5 December, there will be an opportunity for all Junior School parents/carers to meet in-person with their son’s classroom teacher for an optional 10-minute Semester 2 interview to discuss his report and review the year of learning. Times will be made available by staff between 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM on the day. If you would like to meet with your son’s classroom teacher, please send them an email directly by next Wednesday afternoon (30 November) so that relevant arrangements can be made. Please note that all interviews will take place in the Senior School (McGlade) library due to necessary building maintenance taking place in the Junior School section of the school. 

As always, if you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me via email (glenn.stephenson@spc.nsw.edu.au) or phone (8705 9247) and I will endeavour to assist you in any way that I can.

May God bless you,

Glenn Stephenson 

Director of Junior School