Myrniong - ELC to Yr6

I trust the holidays were a relaxing two weeks for you all.  Warm spring weather did make a fleeting appearance, which was welcomed.  I also hope the holidays were a gift of time - time to be…time to reflect…time to process all 2020 has thrown at us.  I am sure many children took the opportunity to initiate first contacts with friends, first play dates and the first steps out of the comfort of their homes.  Connection will be a key word throughout the remainder of this year.  As a Junior School staff, we approach Term Four with a heightened understanding of the need to re-connect to our learning community, to draw inspiration from RLP-1/RLP-2 and home environments, and to build on the importance of authentic family involvement in learning. We hope remote learning has given parents a unique insight into the ways in which their children learn.  This co-construction of learning is something we hope to continue to value and foster. 

The holidays allowed me time for some professional reading. ‘Challenge’ is a quarterly publication put out by the Reggio Emilia Australia Information Exchange.  The theme of their latest offering was Remote Learning. Kirsty Porplycia from St Peter’s ELC made an impactful observation.

‘Children have stayed indoors more than they have ever before.  They have been faced with rules that they have never experienced.  Many had their favourite things placed on hold such as playgrounds, sports and play dates.   Despite these challenges, children have shown us that when restrictions are in place it is all about perspective.  How you choose to look at the position we are in and how we can exercise our imagination to continue to have fun and enjoy each day.’

In this fluid space, we are no longer mandated to temperature check students upon their arrival to school each morning.

I wish all in our Junior School learning community a rewarding and enjoyable final term of 2020. 

Term Four Confirmed Dates

In the current COVID-19 climate, we need to be flexible and agile in our planning for Term Four.  We can confirm the following dates and events.  A number of other Junior School activities are under review and we will keep you posted via the weekly College Newsletter. 

*Thursday, October 8th - Junior School students return to Myrniong

*Thursday, October 15th - The 2021 Prep Transition program commences for our Piccino students.

*Wednesday, October 21st – ‘Books To Life’ virtual incursion (Piccino to Year Six)

*Wednesday, October 28th - Year 12 Myrniong students ‘Return Assembly’

*Tuesday, November 3rd - Melbourne Cup Public Holiday (no classes)

*Thursday, November 12th - 2021 Orientation Day (Prep to Year Six College students only)

*Friday, December 4th - Junior School Speech Day (live streamed event for parents)

*Wednesday, December 9th - Final Day of Term Four, 2020

*Friday, December 11th - Semester Two reports available to parents. 

Uniform Changeover

Junior School students have two weeks’ grace before being required to be in summer uniform.  Monday, October 19th (Week 3) is changeover day.  Up until this date, students may exercise the option of winter uniform if the weather isn’t agreeable.  The College Uniform Shop is open  via appointment only.  Bookings can be made online. 

Stephen Nelson

Head of Junior School