Junior School 

From the Head of Junior School 

We’ve enjoyed some glorious weather over the past week, which was perfectly timed for the Year Five camp and Book Week celebrations. 

Last week our Year Five students travelled to Pemberton and immersed themselves in the beautiful environment of the area for four days. Some Year Five students have shared their reflections from camp below, so I won’t detail their adventures myself. I will however share some observations about the group that we can all be deeply proud of as I feel they are a apt representation of our GSG community culture.

The Year Five group are a genuinely connected bunch of young people who value and respect each student as an individual and also what they bring to the group. During camp our Year Fives laughed together constantly, spontaneously broke into dance and song, checked-in on a friend when they were alone and offered to help with tasks that just needed  someone to do them. They were keen and curious about the environment around them and what could be experienced from their time there. Challenges were met with enthusiasm and confidence. Set-backs and disappointments were acknowledged as part of the learning process. Sounds too good to be true, I know it does, let me share an example to illustrate. At Big Brook Dam, Year Five students were challenged with the task of building a flagpole from pipes, rope and pool noodles. After an initial moment of, “how do we do this?”, our Year Fives discussed a plan, worked together, laughed a lot when things worked and didn’t work, patted each other on the back every time the flagpole fell over, and finally, danced when their flagpole stood up by itself! All within the space of 40 minutes. They were magnificent – both the students, and their flagpoles. 

As young leaders, this group is exceptional. They are kind and considerate, responsible and trustworthy, but the most impressive quality for their young age is their initiative. Their ability to recognise what could be enhanced or an opportunity to explore was impressive. As emerging leaders for 2022, I feel they will be a wonderful cohort to lead the Junior School. 

Camps are a tremendous experience for everyone involved. I’ve always felt camps should be designed to provide an experience that couldn’t easily be replicated at school or on a family holiday. Camps provide a unique opportunity for students to see their peers in a different environment, learn from each other and develop aspects of their character together. It's often a moment of growth that can only occur when students spend some time away from family and familiar environments, yet be surrounded by people who genuinely care for them. Camps are a milestone moment for many students, and a ‘leap forward’ for them as young people. For some students the experience marks their first time away from home, for others the experience presents challenges that stretch their development. It's always wonderful to see how those few days away seem to carry far more weight behind them once students return to campus and their daily interactions become that much stronger amongst each other. 

My sincere congratulations and thanks to all the students of Year Five for their efforts on camp. To Mr Craig Emberson and Mrs Marina Gordon, our collective thanks are extended to you both for your thoughtful design, organisation and running of this camp experience for the students. It was a truly wonderful camp. 

Student Reflections on Year Five Camp: 

Big Brook Dam 

Not far from the Pemberton Camp School, was Big Brook Dam. We went on an adventure around it and completed a scavenger hunt. Stops were made along the track at the huts and we even passed a fast-flowing river that gushed into Big Brook Dam where we were lucky enough to see a small bunch of fish swim by us. After our lunch, we had to hiked 6km back on a rough track. 

By Andre 

The Yeagarup Dunes 

Our first important stop on the camp experience was the Yeagarup Dunes. At first, it looked more like a forest but then after a short walk, we found some sand (actually quite a lot) and were able to enjoy it between our toes. We arrived at a small dune and jumped off it, climbed up it and rolled around it. Later, we discovered a bigger dune, but this was a bit too big for jumps. Instead, we found that we could penguin slide all the way to the bottom …. But we did have to climb back up a long way!

By Harry and Ayden 

Archery

On the third day of camp, we were lucky enough to do some archery which was an awesome experience. Some people did archery at Pemberton for the very first time. The wonderful instructor, Cass, helped us learn about the Archery techniques like how to hold and use the bow and arrow. It was lots of fun and some people showed their talents they didn’t know about.

By Sofia, A'ine and Marnie

The Flagpole Building Team Challenge  

 After a long 4km walk around Big Brook Dam, we started our team building activities. First, instructor taught us two new knots that would help us win in the challenge. The challenge was to build the highest flagpole from PVC poles, rope and a ‘pool noodle’. Together, in the groups we chose, we all worked well to create some interesting structures.  It was it was a close competition and the whole class enjoyed it experience. 

By Alice and Matilda

Quiz Night 

Quiz night started off with the impression of answering basic questions, but little did we know what was to come. Our groups for the evening were with the people that we randomly sat with at dinner (who were classmates that we don’t have a very strong bond with). In between the difficult quizzes we faced fun, obscure and extremely messy challenges (resulting in delicious treats if we won!). Overall, quiz night was an awesome experience of collaboration with our peers that we don’t usually associate with. Our Year five class loved these activities hosted by our thoughtful teachers. 

By Sophie, Myla and Grace

Stalk the Lantern                   

Stalk the Lantern was very fun and was a great experience for everyone. For people who don’t know what Stalk the Lantern is, it is a game where there is a lantern in the middle of an open space and there are ‘spot lighters’ who have to spot you, while you’re in the darkness. The others need to try and get to the lantern without being spotted by the ‘spot lighters.’ There is also a checkpoint and when you get spotted you must go back to the checkpoint and start again. Once you have gotten the lantern the game ends and you’ve won the game. Playing Stalk the Lantern was fun I will always remember the fun I had at Camp Pemberton. 

By Max

To Book Week...

My goodness, the excitement around this week on campus is unmistakable for Book Week. There are dress-up items around, craft supplies spread out in classrooms and emerging displays in foyer areas. Even for the uninitiated, you could tell ‘an event’ is about to occur. Book Week provides a lovely opportunity to celebrate the significance of books and reading in our lives. The joy and purpose books bring to a child’s life cannot be understated. Children personally develop as young people through books and story. Often one of the earliest interactions children have with adults is through books, with treasured story times before bed. It was lovely to see our students (and teachers!) get into the spirit of the week with dress-ups of the favourite book characters or inspired costumes based around this year's Book Week theme – 'Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds'. Well done, and thank you to all students, teachers and parents for supporting this event. It made for a very special week.

With warmest regards,

Mr Ken Raven | Head of Junior School