The Girton eLink

Junior School News

From the Head of Junior School

 

It was wonderful to greet our students back into the school. Face to face, after the Easter break. I know it sounds like a broken record but after the disruptions of the last two years, each time we can return to school to learn together feels like an accomplishment! Of course, there will still be minor disruptions to families and classes due to the fact that we are entering Winter and the colder weather brings the sniffles, coughs and colds. Where previously we would have all pushed through, we now need to stay home to ensure that we are not spreading any infections, colds or otherwise. Still, we are very hopeful that these will be minor disruptions compared to the lockdown we have experienced.

 

This term our Junior School RULER team led by Ms Juergens and Mrs Stagg will be supporting classes to review our RULER values. This will include discussions, lessons and presentations that help further our school community's understanding and implementation of Emotional Intelligence. At assembly this week, I read a book to the school called “The Bad Seed” by Jory John and Pete Oswald. The Bad Seed is about how our experiences have an impact upon our emotions which in turn shape our behaviour. If we have enough negative experiences, our behaviour can become negative. The resolution of the story is that we have control over our emotions and our behaviour. We will not always get it right, but it is important to be heading in the right direction. At the assembly two of our students reviewed the PRIME Awareness badge and what the acronym stands for. The Bad Seed and PRIME would make for a good weekend discussion as a family. For more information on our Emotional Intelligence program, a booklet about our Emotional Intelligence program is available on our website. https://www.girton.vic.edu.au/images/Emotional-Intelligence.-Creating-the-Enduring-Reality-2020.pdf

 

A Zoom recording of the assembly will also be available on the Junior School Astra page next week.

https://astra.girton.vic.edu.au/homepage/2227

 

 

CHILD SAFETY AND PROTECTION

Girton Grammar School has always been committed to ensuring that the highest possible standards of child safety and protection from harm are maintained. In 2016 the Victorian State Parliament enacted world-leading child protection standards with Ministerial Order 870. This year Ministerial Order 870 will be replaced with Ministerial Order 1359 which includes additional Child Safe Standards to strengthen protection for all children but particularly those children who have been identified as vulnerable. Girton Grammar School fully supports the importance of Child Safety and is committed to enacting the new Ministerial Order to its fullest. To this end, the school has ensured the following:

  • strategies to embed an organisational culture of child safety, including through effective leadership arrangements.
  • a child safe policy or statement of commitment to child safety.
  • a code of conduct that establishes clear expectations for appropriate behaviour with children.
  • screening, supervision, training and other human resources practices that reduce the risk of child abuse by new and existing personnel.
  • processes for responding to and reporting suspected child abuse.
  • strategies to identify and reduce or remove risks of child abuse.
  • strategies to promote the participation and empowerment of children.

Girton staff complete Child Safety and Protection modules annually to learn what constitutes abuse, how to identify potential signs of abuse and what action must be taken.

Parents or community members who have concerns that a child may be unsafe and in danger of emotional, physical or sexual harm are urged to contact the school and ask to be referred to one of the school appointed Child Safety Officers or contact the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing directly (1300664977 or A/H 131278 ) or the Police (000).

 

Details of Girton’s Child Safety Policy can be found on the school website at:

https://www.girton.vic.edu.au/images/Child-Protection-Safety-Policy250422.pdf

 

As discussed in more detail later in this eLink, there is a link to the school Child Safety policies and other information links that is accessible from the Parent and Student landing page of Astra. This can be accessed by logging in to Astra and selecting the Child Safety icon. 

 

The school has also published policies relating to student safety and well-being in the Publications section of the website.

http://www.girton.vic.edu.au/our-story/publications/

 

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like further information about the school’s approach to Child Safety.

 

Mr Donald Thompson

Head of Junior School

 

State Swimming

 

Last Friday, 16 Junior School students represented Girton Grammar School at the MSAC State Swimming Championships.

 

All students displayed an outstanding swimming ability. Despite not gaining a place in an event, a number of students improved their PBs. A special mention to Octavia Yuen (6 Frew) who was our only student to compete in an individual event- 50m Butterfly. 

 

It was wonderful to witness our students being so supportive of one another. Our section in the stands was definitely one of the noisiest in terms of cheering!! 

 

Mrs Maria Krelle & Mr John Doherty

Junior School teachers 

 

Gym Program

Our Junior School students participate in gymnastic programs as part of the PE syllabus this term.  The Gymnastics Program provides students with exercises in flexibility, strength and teamwork activities.  The program increases co-ordination and encourages proprioceptive awareness.  It is a long-standing part of our physical education program and the students love getting involved.  Students in Preparatory to Year Two attend Jets Gymnastics, while our older students attend Palmer Gymnasium. 

 

 

Bookfair 

 

This week saw the first Book Fair of the year.  Students were able to peruse the Fair during Library lessons last week and note their ‘wish lists’ to take home and discuss with parents.   This week students were able to purchase books before and after school and during lunchtime.  There were many titles to choose from and it is wonderful to see the students enjoying new and exciting authors.  The Book Fair is also raising funds to purchase new books for the Junior School Library.  A second Scholastic Book Fair will run in Term 3 to coincide with Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day. Thank you to Mrs Polidano and Mrs Kolenaty for running the Bookfair for our students. 

 

Happy Mothers Day

 

Thank you to our Friends of Junior School parents who took time out of their week to run the Mother’s Day Stall this year.  It is always lovely to see the children deliberating over what is the perfect gift for their mum, grandma, nan or other special carers in their lives.  The children take great pride in choosing a gift to put into their personalised gift bag ready for Sunday.

 

We wish all our Mother’s a wonderful Mother’s Day on Sunday.