From the Head of Junior School

Over the last two terms, our Junior School RULER team has been providing me with reading material to share with the Junior School students at our Friday afternoon assemblies. They are often picture storybooks and the topics relate to the emotional intelligence education programs that classes are implementing in Junior School.

Last week the storybook was Be You! by Peter H. Reynolds, a book that aims to encourage children to be themselves and to be confident. This book was an apt choice as the RULER topic of confidence is being explored by Junior School classes in the coming weeks. I have enjoyed all of the stories that have been put forward by the Junior School RULER team but I found this to be the most moving so far.

Peter H. Reynolds is an incredible children’s author whose themes often centre around building children’s beliefs in themselves, their abilities and their creativity in particular. Be You! encourages children to be persistent, thoughtful, kind and brave. It endorses that it is ok to be different and to think for themselves. I particularly love that it encourages children to be ok with spending some time alone reflecting, to be patient and know how to be in the moment and that it is ok to ask for help from others when you need it.

Parents interested in the story can find it at around the 30-minute mark in last week’s Junior School assembly video that can be found on the Junior School Astra page:

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

Last week we also had the pleasure of hosting some of our Old Girtonians, who were visiting the school as part of their 60th OGA Reunion celebrations. There was a mix of ladies who had been boarders and those who were day students. It was wonderful to be able to hear their stories as they fondly reminisced about the time they spent at Girton. It is my sincerest hope that all of today’s students are able to share similar memories with their friends in 40, 50 and 60 years time.

Mr Donald Thompson

Head of Junior School

Year Three Camp

It was the day for going to camp for Year Three and everyone was either nervous or excited. The bus ride to camp was long but manageable. We had a break but then we were dropped in the middle of the bush. Our tour guide was there for us. His name was Mike. Mike took us for a hike to camp through the bush. It was steep but very exciting. When we stopped for a break, we saw a koala! When we made it to a river, we could see the camp. It looked dazzling! We had to cross the river and walk up a big hill to get there. We were all ready for lunch. We had a play after lunch. Mike came back and took us to a place where we would do hut building. We went into teams and built huts out of sticks, stones, mud, and leaves. We used teamwork.

When we came back, we went to our cabins and unpacked. Then we came out to the dinner area and had a lovely dinner. There were lots of things to do at camp and we were all tired. It was an amazing first day.

On Day Two we had three rotations: archery, ball games and canoeing. We were worried about the rain, but we finished the rotations. Archery was fun because it was a challenge. Mostly people missed. It was cool because we got to use real arrows. The next rotation was ball games. Some people played cricket and some used skipping ropes or played catch. Next was canoeing. There were blue canoes and yellow paddles. Canoeing was an activity that helped build teamwork. When you got on the water it felt scary but when you got the hang of it, it was easier. We got stuck a few times and a bit wet, but it was fun. Day Two was fun but very tiring.

On Day Three all of Year Three played a game called the Survival Game. Everyone got a role such as herbivore, carnivore, human or germ. We all had so much fun. The carnivores won. After the survival game we had a barbecue. We had sausages and icy poles. Soon we got on the bus to go home. By the time we got back to school we were exhausted! We all had the best time ever.

Grace Beattie (3 Jenkin), Katherine Morsillo (3 Riley) and Annabel Joe (3 Riley)

Remembrance Day Service

On Friday 11th November, the Junior School paused to Remember those who served their country. The Year Six students lead the Junior School in a solemn service, including a one minute silence in memory of those who died or suffered in all wars and armed conflict.

Preparatory and Physical Education

This week during Junior School Physical Education lessons, the students in Preparatory, Year 1 and Year 2 were given the opportunity to develop their single hand striking skills by taking part in some Badminton activities.

Lots of fun was had as the students learnt how to use a racquet safely and how to hit a shuttle high into the air. Some students could even have a rally with a partner by hitting it back and forth over a net.

Year 2 Mathematics

On Friday November 11, the students in the Year 2M classroom were privileged to experience a Problem Solving Mathematics lesson led by Noah Kroschel (4 Riley) and Rithvik Sasalu (3 Frew). Noah and Rithvik had worked together to produce a PowerPoint of questions as part of their academic extension program. The Year Two students enjoyed the opportunity to find solutions to a variety of problems, varying in complexity. Noah and Rithvik patiently explained their strategies to show how an answer for each question could be achieved, using diagrams and equations. To complete their lesson, they taught the Year Two students a game called “Around The World” and the participants were challenged with solving a mathematical problem quickly, competing against a partner. The Year Two students thoroughly enjoyed this game and were excited by the challenge of fast mental computations against their classmates. Noah and Rithvik are congratulated for their willingness to share their expertise with the younger students.

State Athletics- Wednesday 2nd November

Last Wednesday 2nd November, five Junior School students were excited to represent Girton at Lakeside Stadium in Albert Park, for the School Sport Victoria Track and Field Primary State Championships.

The team consisted of Hugh Casey (6 Frew), Lucy Richard (5 Riley), Lauren Davenport (4 Jenkin), Noah Kroschel (4 Riley), and Owen Barnes (4 Frew).

Each student was very competitive in their respective events and displayed excellent sportsmanship at all times. There were four Top 10 results for the team and all competitors should be pleased with their output, amongst very fast and very tight fields.

During the morning, Aussie Olympic athlete, Linden Hall, took time out of her training schedule to encourage participants and cheer them on.

It was a thrill and a privilege to be represented amongst some of Victoria’s best young athletes and our students are now even more motivated to keep training.

Well done team!

Aerobics Concert

On Thursday 3rd November, forty-five students from Prep to Year 10 performed at the Annual Aerobic Showcase in the BlackBox. The students performed four routines for the evening, presenting all of their hard work for families and friends. A highlight of the evening was the Level One Routine, where all 45 students took the floor at once and performed as a whole team. It was lovely seeing the young Prep students perform with the Senior students.

A huge congratulations to all of the students involved.

Congratulations to our Murphy Colouring Competition Winners

It was tough competition with so many fabulous submissions. Congratulations to Lauren Leung (5 Jenkin) and James Jackson (4 Frew) who both will get time with Murphy in the classroom this term.

Samuel Kay to Box at the 2022 IBA Youth World Championships