Junior School

SHELLEY PARKES

Head of Junior School

Some exciting things are taking place across the Junior School as we enter into the last weeks of Term 4.

We have concluded our Prep 2022 transition days and I take this opportunity to thank all of the Junior School staff for their flexibility with this program. Our students coming into Prep are school ready and eager to get started.

Our incredible Head of Curriculum, Mrs Sarah Caffrey has completed K4 assessments for students who are lucky enough to be coming across to the school. I am thankful for her expertise and diligence in obtaining the best data to assist us with setting our students up for success from Day 1. A true example of I CAN. WE WILL.

Ms Boardman our Coordinator of ELC and her team have done an extraordinary job in preparing their K4 students for Prep. We have also had the key conversations to ensure all students begin Prep with all they need in place for new learning opportunities.

Ms Scott and I have interviewed potential candidates for the 2022 leadership roles. This process took two days of interviewing and conversation around The 7 Habits and how these can be transferred to a leadership role. We look forward to announcing this soon and congratulate all students for their bravery in putting themselves forward.

Year 3 are concluding their swimming program and have made the most of this opportunity. I take my hat off to them all – I am sure the idea of swimming during the recent weather forecast required a growth mindset – even indoors! Again, thank you to our teacher’s for their flexibility and can-do attitude.

Year 5 had their Year 6 Welcome Morning – this has been a great success and was well received by our students who are counting down the days to become Middle School students.

Be sure to check in with your emails and school correspondence as communication will be flowing nearing our end of year events. 

SARAH CAFFERY 

Head of Curriculum - Junior School

Our whole Junior School Poetry Writing unit has been a huge success.  From Prep to Year 5, all students were simultaneously involved in the exploration and development of poems, building in complexity across the school.  The response has been outstanding and we have enjoyed both students and teachers connecting with and sharing their poetry.  We begin in the ENGAGE phase by exploring patterns in language and the impact of similes and alliteration, progressing to image building in Year 2 with Kennings Poems.  In the EXPLAIN phase, we explore storytelling through poetry and the students created Haiku Poems and wrote an Ode to create an image through words.

In the ELABORATE Phase, the students investigate messages in poems and begin to justify the meaning they individually take from poems.  They explore structure and writing processes.  This resulted in some humorous Limericks, creative Diamante Poems, thought-provoking Ballads and Cinquain poems that demonstrate a great understanding of the impact that words can have.

Next year we would love to have an exhibition and look forward to showcasing the amazing work.