Junior School News

FOJS Picnic and Cinema Evening

On Friday evening our Friends of Junior School organised a very enjoyable evening to welcome students and parents to the new school year.  Attendees enjoyed a picnic on the oval and then a film in the John E Higgs hall.  I thank everyone involved in making this evening happen. 

MacKenzie Street Drop off Zone

In the last edition of the eLink I asked parents to obey the parking restrictions on MacKenzie Street when they drop off or pick up students.  The excellent response to this request has meant that our students are in a much safer environment.  Bendigo City Council has been alerted to our concerns and is sending parking inspectors to the school on a regular basis. A reminder that it is also illegal to park in any of the driveways opening on to MacKenzie Street.

House Captains

Last week we had the pleasure of inducting our Vice and House Captains at our Friday Junior School Assembly.  It was a very proud moment for their parents and we look forward to their leadership this year.  The House Captains help run our assemblies each week as well as help lead the students in their houses at the various sports events across the year.

Aherne Captains: Mia Nichol & Hunter Wright

Aherne Vice Captains: Alice Hamilton & Max Miller

Frew Captains: Eleanor Jackson & Alex Starr

Frew Vice Captains: Aleeza Ali & Vivek Vattakatuchery

Jenkin Captains: Bronte Flanagan & Tom Kuchel

Jenkin Vice Captains: Holly Bawden & Gus Edwards

Jones Captains: Claire Jones & Oliver Schelosky

Jones Vice Captains: Lauren Brunner & Oliver Walker

Millward Captains: Phillipa Meadows & Mitchell Chalmers

Millward Vice Captains: Erica Mason & Josh Bradbury

Riley Captains: Zara Paul & Andreas Ginis

Riley Vice Captains: Ana Karamaloudis & Manny Rose

"I receive and commission you as House Captains of this School in 2019.  May God guide and bless you in the work of this Office.  I counsel you to act with firmness, lead by example, to seek humility and above all to serve your fellow students and your School in every way you can."

Please click on the images above to view the gallery

A Morning of History and Culture

On Wednesday morning Year Four enjoyed learning about Indigenous Australians.

We learnt about their weapons and tools and how they respected the animals and the land.

We were very lucky to have Tim from the Senior School come and play the didgeridoo.

We both really enjoyed when Mr Flanagan told us about the boomerang and the games played by the young indigenous children.

This term we are making a poster about Indigenous Australians and next week we are going to Rosalind Park to see a Traditional Smoking Ceremony.

We are also going on the Dja Dja Wurrung talking tram.

By Sofia Korecki 4M and Akshita Indulkar 4M

Please click on the images above to view the gallery

Swimming Carnival

Today we enjoyed an eventful day in the swimming pool at the Bendigo East Swimming Pool. The colourful banners and outfits were equally as entertaining as the house chants and excited students. I thank Mrs Hamilton, Mr Robertson and Mr Doherty for their leadership and the Maintenance and Junior School staff for their hard work in making this day so enjoyable for all.

Congratulations to Jones House on winning the Spirit Cup and the House Cup!

Student Messages

We often get a number of student messages phoned or email through late in the day.  We understand plans can sometimes change at the last minute and a message is necessary.  Please ensure any messages that you wish to pass onto your child are phoned into Junior School Reception by 2:30pm.  The Junior School staff will endeavour to get the message to your child, but messages received after 2:30pm are difficult to relay to your child in time. 

Volunteers Needed for the Food Tree

The Girton Grammar Friends of Junior School co-ordinate a Food Tree. The Food Tree is available to offer families of students and staff at Girton Grammar Junior School assistance with some meals or homemade lunchbox fillers at a time of need. For example if there is a family member in hospital, suffering bereavement, new baby in the family or a similarly challenging circumstance. It is a practical way to support each other as members of the Girton community.

The process for the Food Tree is for a class teacher or parent to contact Mrs Bath or Mr Thompson to advise of a family that might be in need. Mrs Bath or Mr Thompson are the primary contact with the family and will collect relevant dietary information and needs. Our Food Tree Co-ordinator will then contact a volunteer from “the list” and ask if they are available to cook a meal or lunch box fillers etc. If a volunteer is unavailable, and there will be times when they may not be able to assist due to other commitments, the co-ordinators will contact someone else on the list.

The meals are then brought into school, usually in a disposable container, and taken to the Junior School office and refrigerated. The meals need to include a list of ingredients for safety reasons, such as food allergies etc. Mrs Bath or Mr Thompson will then be advised the meal is available for collection and either the student or a family member can collect it and take it home in a cool bag kept in the office. This system allows the process to be as anonymous as possible.

If you would like to join the list of volunteers for the Food Tree, please contact our

co-ordinator:   Michelle Primmer  shellprimmer@gmail.com      ph 0417 392 096

It may be that you only have certain days you can assist, or you may only want to provide only one type of meal, your specialty, or only lunchbox snacks. You may be familiar with a particular dietary need, such as gluten free diets. Any type of assistance you could give us would be really appreciated.

Parenting Ideas

Enclosed is a great article on asking children to help out at home, by Michael Gross.

Michael Grose, founder of Parenting Ideas, is one of Australia’s leading parenting educators. He’s the author of 10 books for parents including Thriving! and the best-selling Why First Borns Rule the World and Last Borns Want to Change It, and his latest release Spoonfed Generation: How to raise independent children.

Encourage kids to help at home (every day without pay)

POSITIVE PARENTING

by Michael Grose

Confident kids are competent kids. Past experience has taught them that they can be successful. The easiest (and most neglected way) to help develop competency is to give kids opportunities to help out at home. Don’t overburden them with jobs. Sensibly allocate chores according to their age, interests and study requirements.

Expect children and young people to help without being paid.

Provide pocket money, but avoid linking it to chores. Helping in exchange for money develops in children a notion of ‘What’s in it for me?’, which is a self-centred view of life.

However many parents tell me that they can’t get their kids to help unless they pay them. Those parents have made a rod for their own backs. It’s time for a change of tune. Don’t wait until they are old enough to help. Start now, regardless of age. Toddlers and teens and all ages in between should be expected to chip in and help.

The term ‘chore’ definitely has an image problem. Use the term ‘help’ as it is easier on the ear and really does indicate what you want from your kids.

Here are eight ideas to help you get your kids to help out at home without being paid:

1. Keep jobs real

Kids can sense it when parents give them jobs to keep them busy. Make sure the jobs you apportion make a real contribution to their own the family’s well-being.

2. Balance the personal chores with family jobs

Chores are generally divided into two areas. Jobs such as keeping a bedroom tidy benefits a child and jobs such as setting the table benefit the family. By doing this kids learn to contribute positively to family-life.

3. Place more difficult tasks on a roster

The children can refer to it when needed, which takes the load off you and removes the need to remind them. Rotate the unpleasant tasks frequently. And here’s the key to making rosters work – place yourself on the roster too! Kids are generally more willing to help when you as a parent are involved.

4. Use Grandma’s principle to make sure jobs are done

Grandma’s principle means you do the less pleasant tasks first. That is, make sure jobs are finished before mealtimes or before starting pleasant activities such as watching television.

5. Avoid doing jobs for children

When children get the message that no one will do their jobs for them they will be more likely to help out.

6. Show your appreciation for their help

Make a fuss when they help so they know that their contribution to the family is valued. If you do it often enough they may even show their appreciation for all you do for them!

7. Keep your standards high

Don’t accept half-hearted efforts or half-completed jobs. If you think your child is capable of putting the cat food back in the fridge and placing the spoon in the dishwasher then insist that he or she does just that, rather than leaving the cat food on the sink. A job properly done is valued in the world of work, which they will eventually enter.

8. Rebrand the term ‘chore’ as ‘help’

The term ‘chore’ definitely has an image problem. Use the term ‘help’ as it is easier on the ear and really does indicate what you want from your kids.