Junior School
SARAH BOARDMAN
Acting Head of Junior School
Resilient Youth Survey
We have recently received the results of our surveys that were completed by our Year 3, 4 and 5 students earlier in the year, focusing on individuals overall wellbeing in a number of areas, both at home and at school. The information that is gathered from these results is then used to further inform specific areas for focus for our pastoral programs in the School, along with how our work with The Leader in Me can be linked to support areas that may need further focus.
This year some of the key areas that were identified included being able to identify the difference between unkind and bullying behaviours, making and keeping friends, problem solving and resiliency skills, and appropriate sleeping patterns and needs for children at this stage in life. Prep to Year 5 staff will spend some time unpacking these findings further during the next Staff Professional Development Day. Information will also be circulated soon for a parent workshop that will be offered in relation to aspects that can be supported at home in partnership with School, to support some of the information that we were able to analyse from this survey, and from our ongoing observations at School.
Arrival at School
Everyone is reminded about the importance of arriving on time to School each day. We understand that this is a very busy time for everyone, however arrival before the bell goes can help to make the transition into School a smoother one for each child, as it gives them time to prepare ourselves for our learning for the day in a calm manner.
Prep to Year 5 parents are reminded that any students who arrive after 8:45 am will need to be signed in and collect a late pass through the School Office. We ask as part of our Child Safe legal requirements, that any parents who enter the School grounds through the office after 8:55 am, ensure they sign in and receive their identification sticker before doing so. This is part of our compliance regulations that are in place for anyone on School grounds, once formal learning has commenced for the day. This is also in place to minimise the impact on other children’s learning that is already occurring from this time on in classrooms. All students are able to independently walk themselves from the office to their classroom at this stage, as these skills are developed during the school day, and parent support and encouragement of this is greatly appreciated. If a specific message needs to be passed onto classroom teachers, or your child requires additional support, please let a staff member in the office know, so they can assist your child to make their way to class safely.
Beachside Cross Country Carnival
It was a great pleasure to be able to go to watch Charlotte Brown and Dean Barbakos compete in the Beachside District Cross Country on Tuesday May 28th, at Bald Hill Park. They showed great perseverance and willingness to keep pushing right until the finish line, which was of great credit to them. Dean finished 18th and Charlotte 28th in their respective races, and should be congratulated on their achievement. Well done to them both.
A thank you also to Ms Leach, Mr Lee and Mr Felsinger, who have been helping with training before School recently. Their support was invaluable as part of all our runners’ preparation for the different carnivals this term.
National Walk Safely to School Day
It was the perfect day on Friday May 17th for Oakleigh Grammar to join together with a number of our Junior School students to walk safely to school from Warawee Park. Walk Safely to School Day gives us the opportunity to get some extra exercise, which is good for our learning every day, talk about road safety when we came to crossing any road on the way, along with reducing the number of cars around School too. This annual event has seen a growing number of attendees over the last few years, and we would like to thank Ms Leach for all her work with organising this for us.
Other Happenings in Junior School
Prep Toy Science In School Visit
ELC Learning at the “Big School”
It has been great to see the ongoing hard work that has been occurring in our classes again this term. We are currently completing our reporting processes for the compilation of our end of Semester One reports, and are looking forward to sharing this information with all our families very soon.