Head of Junior Years

Parenting Gently

In the past decade, the concept of “gentle” or “respectful” parenting has continued to emerge. The foundation of the idea is being a parent who is emotionally attuned to their child and tries to understand the reasons behind their behaviour. The attached article explains more about this idea. 

Congratulations

It has been a busy term with many students involved in extra-curricula events. A few weeks back, selected Year 3 & 4 students attended Hoop Time at Eagle Stadium.  Apart from having a great day playing basketball the All Stars team won their division.  Congratulations to: Raphael S, Lucas P, Liam H, Tevin U, Aahil S, Johann John M, Austin P and Ishank M who were acknowledged during the Year 3 – 5 Assembly on Tuesday.

Battle of the Books

Throughout this year a dedicated group of Year 3 – 5 students have been reading their way through a selection of challenging books.  Although the battle will not actually take place this year. The following students were acknowledged by the College Librarian, Mrs Christine Jolly, for their consistent and wide reading:

Aaleyah A, Naysa A, Rishima G, Kesha P, Sandaru S A, Kaniksha A, Misha P, Rahi N, Anjali S, Indu T and Ekam S.

Tournament of the Minds

Tournament of Minds is a problem solving program for teams of students from both primary and secondary years. The tournament's aim is to enhance the potential of our youth by developing diverse skills, enterprise, time management, and the discipline to work collaboratively within a challenging and competitive environment.

They are required to solve demanding, open-ended challenges from one of the following disciplines:

• The Arts
  A new discipline for those who have a love for the visual and performing arts!
  The long term challenges will involve research before developing a creative interpretation in response to the Challenge. Plenty of opportunities for artistic expression in the form of dance, song, musical instruments, theatre, and all forms of the Visual Arts.
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
  A new discipline starting in 2018.
  The combination of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics principles provides an integrated approach for students to deepen their conceptual understanding and use their creative and critical thinking skills to solve the challenges within an authentic context.
• Language Literature
  Language Literature Challenges will involve in-depth analysis and research of texts from a variety of fields.
• Social Sciences
  A journey through the moral and ethical issues confronting society in the 21st Century.

Tournament of Minds is an opportunity for students with a passion for learning and problem solving to demonstrate their skills and talents in an exciting, vibrant and public way.

This year Good News entered a primary team in the STEM and Arts group. The STEM group, achieved an honorable mention which is high praise for a group of students who were competing for the first time.

Congratulations to: Kesha P, Indu T, Kaniksha A, Naysa A, Aaeleyah A, Anjali S and Ekam S.

Although the ARTs group didn't place, they navigated through some tough challenges. They lost 1 of their team members and were the multi age, Years 3 & 5 group.  Well done: Rishima G, Sandaru S A, Aaliya S, Nishka J, Mira T and Alison T.

Congratulations also to our top Jump Rope For Heart fundraisers in Years 3 – 5.

Year 3 Camp

From Wednesday 24 until Friday 26 August the Year 3 students experienced their first school camp. For many of them (and their parents) it was their first time away from home. 

The reflections below from the students illustrate how much they enjoyed this time.

From the 24th to the 26th of August, 2022, year 3 went to Camp Wilkin. I was in Activity Group 3 with Mrs Raju and Neurav (one of our amazing parent helpers!). On Wednesday we were on the bus to Camp Wilkin. While our parents were saying ‘bye’ from school, we were chatting all the way to Camp Wilkin.  Our first activity was rock climbing, and our second activity was archery. After the two activities lightening struck.  We found our cabins and I was so happy at first but when I spent time together, they would become the weirdest people on earth! The first night for dinner was the best! We had the best spaghetti ever! After dinner we went to bed and the day was over.

The next day, on Thursday, I was prepared. That was the day we had the Leap of Faith. First of all, we had to do the Scavenger Hunt, where you had to find words. The second activity was beach games.  In beach games, we made an animal and put a story behind it. After that, we went to eat lunch. After lunch, I was prepared.  I climbed up the pole but it was too scary. I raced to the top and jumped. It turned out that I was the first person to jump off! Soon it turned to night and was time for the disco! We partied so long until we dropped. Soon it was the last day.

The last day was here. First of all we made a camp fire. The damper was so good! But after the campfire, it was time to go home. 

I enjoyed jumping off the Leap of faith because I was the first one. I learnt that original Australians ate damper. I’m proud that I did the Leap of Faith because it was 8 metres above the ground. Year 3 camp changed me, because, now I’m not that scared by myself.

Xavier – 3RR

My Camp Reflection

From the 24th to 26th of August, 2022, Year 3 went to Camp Wilkin. I was in Activity Group 6 with Miss Clark and Alison.

On Wednesday, my group did the Leap of Faith and went on a night walk. The next day, we went on the flying fox, did archery, and went to the beach and had a disco. 

On the last day we made damper and went home.

I enjoyed the Leap of Faith because the jumping was fun. I learnt how to make damper. I am proud because I spent two nights without my family.

Next year I can improve by not banging into so many things in y cabin. Year 3 camp changed me because now I am not afraid of heights.

Aliena – 3RR

Professor Bunsen

Professor Bunsen has been visiting students at Good News for many years. This week the Year 1 students learnt more about science to support their unit of inquiry from his visit.

This interactive presentation focused on a number of interesting and fun colour and gas producing reactions from the kitchen, laundry, toy shop, and bathroom.

Professor Bunsen demonstrated a number of physical and chemical changes and reversible and irreversible changes. Students helped with instant colour changes, discovered the “chemical abilities” of laundry materials when an explosive balloon was produced, found out how heat packs work and get into nappy science.  There were some “controlled explosions”, fast burning reactions and many more. Very exciting stuff!

Smart Watches

A reminder to parents that any type or brand of ‘smart watch’ is NOT to be worn in Junior Years.  This was communicated when the College Uniform Guidelines were revised in October 2021.

It is not appropriate for parents to be calling their children on such devices during the day or for students to be able to take photos, video or recording of others. Both things are a privacy concern. Students are encouraged to wear a conventional analogue or digital wristwatch at school.  Junior Years students who need mobile phones for communication after school hand those devices in at Admin in the morning and collect them at the end of the day. 

Wet Weather

Recently we have been experiencing some wet weather which has resulted in quite a few puddles and muddy areas around the College. Teachers encourage students to stay out of puddles so that they can avoid having to wear wet shoes and socks. We would appreciate it if you could also remind your child to not deliberately walk in wet and muddy areas! If your child is frequently coming home wet and muddy, feel free to send along a spare set of clothes if you think this is necessary.