Junior School Report

A very warm welcome in this first newsletter edition to all of our new Year 7’s to Reservoir High and welcome back to all our Year 8 students for 2021.  We trust all students and their families had a great Christmas and holiday period and are now ready to concentrate on a productive year of learning ahead.  

As outlined in a compass news feed at the end of 2020 we have had some changes in the Junior School. The Junior School office has now physically moved to F Block which now houses all Year 7 lockers and the Year 8 lockers are still in C Block and our link corridor. It was a massive end of 2020 moving everything to our new location. We welcome our new Assistant Principal, Ms Natalie Manser who introduced herself to all Junior students at first day assemblies at the start of this term. Ms Christine Farrugia (Year 7 Coordinator), Mr Greg Irvin (Year 8 Coordinator), Mrs Tammy Baines (Junior School Office manager) and I are all located in F Block. 

The start of the year has been very exciting and very smooth to date and we would like to congratulate all students on their positive start to the year.  Our Year 7 students have settled in extremely well and enjoyed their first day Transition program aimed at familiarising themselves with the school, their timetable, staff and our school expectations.  They also participated in our annual Amazing Race. Working in groups, students explored the school environment locating rooms, buildings and facilities. All students had a fantastic time!!

The Junior School Team has set a few 2021 goals for our Year 7 and 8 cohort. These include:

1. Develop and foster positive and respectful relationships with each other and between classes at each Year level in the Junior School. 

2. All Year 7 students to have a successful and positive transition to Reservoir High School and assist the Year 8 students to consolidate on their learning throughout the year to foster a smooth transition into the middle school years. 

3. Regular updates to all staff and parents/carers re upcoming Year 7 & 8  activities, concerns and successes, including Students of the Month and other special activities and programs. 

Year 7 Camp

Our Year 7 Camp was extremely successful at Camp Toolangi again from Wednesday 10th February through to Friday 12th February just out of Kinglake. The camp was an excellent transition event for those students who attended.  Students participated in many challenging activities such as high ropes, low ropes, obstacle course, flying fox, rock climbing wall, archery, orienteering and bush hut building. This year 80 students attended camp which made for lots of energy and atmosphere!! A very big thankyou to Ms Farrugia, Mr Sirianni, Mr Bayley, Ms Warren, Ms Keaughran, Ms Liao, Mrs Scott, Ivy Bao, James Rubira, Ms Riali for their fantastic support and leadership over the three days!!

Year 7 BBQ

As part of our Transition program, our scheduled Year 7 BBQ scheduled for Thursday 18th February was postponed due to the third lockdown and health guidelines. More information regarding the new date for the evening to be provided through a Compass newsfeed soon.

Yr 8 Zoo Excursion

The Year 8 Zoo Excursion scheduled held on Friday 19th February was a fantastic success again. This is an annual excursion which has always been an extremely positive and rewarding day for the Year 8’s. Students participated in a ranger educational session in the morning before exploring the zoo in groups whilst completing activities. Well done Year 8’s and thankyou to all staff who attended. 

Elevate Study Skills Session 1

All Year 8 students took part in a study skills session provided by Elevate Education on Friday 12 February. The session covered note taking and gathering information from text. It was the first session in a series that are being presented across the school. 

Year 7 and 8 Health Immersion Days

As part of the school’s commitment to support the social, emotional and physical development of our students, each term our Year 7-9 students will participate in Health Immersion Days. The purpose of these days is for students to experience a range of interactive and engaging workshops and activities provided by the Health PE staff, Student Wellbeing Team, Respectful Relationships Team and others provides with specialist expertise. 

Our students will participate in sport and teambuilding activities to build connectedness, as well as a range of specially designed workshops that build understanding of how to maintain respectful relationships, effectively communicate, stay safe on-line and maintain positive mental and physical health.  

The students will really enjoy what is on offer this term. 

Year 7 Health Immersion Day – Tuesday 23rd Feb – Details on Compass

Year 8 Health Immersion Day – Thursday 26th Feb – Details on Compass 

Year 9 Health Immersion Day – Monday 28th March

All Year 7 & 8 students received their lockers on the first day and are expected to keep them organised and well maintained. All students should now have a combination lock on their locker.  

We are looking forward to a great year with all our Year 7 and Year 8 students and in particular we are looking forward to working closely with all parents, guardians and families during the year.

Online Seminar ‘Building Happy & Resilient Kids’ with Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

The Junior School is happy to promote an online seminar organised through The Banyule Nillumbik Youth Services Network called Building Happy and Resilient Kids and hosted by Dr Michael Carr-Gregg. This session is targeted towards parents/carers and others who work with young people aged 10-18 years and will include practical advice and strategies around building stronger communication with teenagers and ways to increase their resilience.

We encourage parents/carers to attend this online event on Thursday 4th March 7.00-8.00pm and your feedback regarding the seminar would be most welcomed by the Junior School.

Bookings are essential http://happy-resilient-kids.eventbrite.com.au

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your child’s progress please feel free to contact us at any time on 9466 0900.

Junior School Team

Darryl Forbes – Junior School Leader

Mrs Tammy Baines – Junior School Office Manager

Ms Christine Farrugia – Year 7 Coordinator

Mr Greg Irvin  - Year 8 Coordinator

Ms Natalie Manser – Assistant Principal