Junior School News

From the Head of Junior School

At our first Junior School Assembly last Friday, I spoke to the students about the importance of helping others. It was part of a reflection on the culture of our school and how each and every member of the school community was important in building and maintaining the culture of Girton. In the context of the new school year, the reflection was aimed at affirming the wonderful way that our present students take care of the newer students in the school. At the beginning of the year, we welcomed 84 new students and 73 new families to the Junior School. It is wonderful to witness how our current students include the new students into their friendship groups and their games. 

We have noticed a higher than usual number of students who are a bit more anxious about returning to school than we have had in the past. This is understandable given the past 2 years of interruptions to formal schooling. For some students, the nervousness at the beginning of the day is occurring in the classroom when it is time for parents to leave for the morning. This was not an issue for most students last year as parents were required to drop at the gate. We are happy to have parents able to come into the grounds again. Last year it was not the same feel in the mornings having to “lock-out” at the gates. If your child is struggling to detach from you at the classroom in the mornings you may consider reverting to the gate drop off for a period of time. Once the students are in their classes and going through the morning routines with their peers they settle very quickly. 

We have been very fortunate to work with experienced Child Development educators over the past 10 years who have provided wonderful advice and resources. Most recently we had Judith Locke speak to our staff and parents about how we can all work together to build children’s confidence, capability and self-efficacy. For those parents who were unable to attend Judith’s presentations, she has a Facebook page and website where she will often post stories and resources.

https://www.facebook.com/TheBonsaiChild/

https://confidentandcapable.com/

Michael Grose also has some wonderful advice for parents on his Parenting Ideas website. He has written an article on reducing separation anxiety which may be helpful. https://www.parentingideas.com.au/blog/reducing-separation-anxiety-in-young-children/

Social Media

Electronic devices such as computers, gaming boxes, ipads and phones are very much a part of our children’s lives. While they are all useful tools for communication, productivity and entertainment, as adults we know the risks associated with irresponsible use. At a minimum, they can be a hindrance to productivity, at their worst they can pose a danger to our relationships, professional reputation or physical and emotional well-being. As a school we educate students about the sensible and safe use of devices while also educating them about the risks. We know that parents are also educating their children at home. 

Most platforms have a minimum age of 13 before allowing access. In some cases, children are using false dates of birth to set up accounts. In other cases, parents are setting the accounts up for their children. This breaches the conditions of use for most of the platforms but it also puts children at risk, particularly where children have their own devices and are able to use them without direct supervision.

Unfortunately this week we have had several reports of groups of students using games and social media accounts to engage in inappropriate conversations. In one case they were using Tik Tok accounts, in another Roblox and a third were using Discord. We deal with this directly with the students and parents when it is brought to our attention but I felt that it was important to raise the issue in a wider forum so that parents can have conversations with their children and check what they are accessing, when they are accessing and where they are accessing. The office of the E-Safety Commissioner has produced some very good resources for parents when creating a safe environment at home. (https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents)

As a minimum students should not be using devices in their bedrooms or in other areas where they cannot be directly supervised. 

Mr Donald Thompson

Head of Junior School

House Captain and Vice House Captain Inductions

Today we inducted our House Captains and Vice Captains for 2022 who will join Oscar and Sophie as our 2022 Student Leadership group. While it is an exciting time for those who were voted into roles and inducted today, it can also be a time when other students are upset or despondent at not receiving a role. We should take nothing away from those students who were elected. They are thoroughly deserving and were elected by their peers who recognise their potential as leaders. There are however many more students who would also be wonderful leaders in our school but who, due to limited numbers of roles, do not get a position. Each year I speak with our Year 6 students about what it means to lead. Any of our students can lead in their everyday interactions around the school. They can lead by example, doing what needs to be done not because they are asked or are elected to a position, but because it is the right thing to do. 

As parents we have all been in a situation where our child is disappointed at not receiving a role or recognition. It is important in these situations to acknowledge their feelings as being legitimate and normal. It is ok to be disappointed and quite normal. It is also important to discuss with them that we appreciate their character and that they are showing good leadership, not for a badge but because they know it is the right thing to do to make our school, our community and our society in general the best that it can be for everyone.

HOUSE AND VICE HOUSE CAPTAINS

Nut Allergies

As the new School Year begins it is an appropriate time to remind parents that we have children in Junior School who will suffer from a severe allergic reaction if the come into contact with peanuts or other nut based products, which can be fatal. They are also allergic to other nuts and a variety of other foods and need to have all contact with food closely monitored as some are even susceptible to reactions from skin contact with the foods. Consequently, we ask parents to assist us by being aware of this when sending food to school. 

Please note that we cannot possibly check food items that are brought into the School or on buses or to other events. Parents of susceptible children need to understand this and to educate their child about the risks. 

Specifically, we ask that children do not bring to school the following:

• Peanuts or any sort of other mixed nuts
• Peanut butter/ Nutella
• Yoghurt with nuts
•  Peanut butter Muesli / Fruit bars
• Cakes, muffins or cookies containing nuts
• Tahini

We ask the children to wash their hands carefully after eating at recess, lunch or cooking sessions. You would assist us greatly by discussing this with your child about this and support us to keep all our students safe at school.

All of the teachers in the School are aware of these students condition, and, along with their parents, we have established appropriate procedures. Naturally, we are keen for their life to be as normal as possible, just as it should be for your child.

Message from Parking Services of City of Greater Bendigo

Parking Services from the City of Greater Bendigo have contacted our school and requested that the following information be conveyed to our school community.

The illegal parking of vehicles adjacent to our school poses a safety concern to children, pedestrians and other road users.  Parents are reminded that it is essential to comply with parking restrictions when dropping off and collecting children from school.

Motorists must not stop in no stopping areas, even briefly, with or without the motor running. They must not stop next to a continuous yellow edge line, on nature strips, too close to school crossings, park over driveways or double park.  A number of schools have short term, time-restricted areas, such as 2 minute pick up drop off. These parking areas are in place to allow for ease of access close to schools and these restrictions must be adhered to.  Drivers should also be aware that they cannot perform a U-turn over an unbroken or continuous dividing line.

With regard to children’s crossings, the law requires that a driver approaching a children’s crossing must drive at a speed at which the driver can, if necessary stop safely before the crossing.  Please slow down and take extra care when driving in school zones.

City of Greater Bendigo Parking Officers and Bendigo Police do conduct random patrols throughout the school year at various locations to ensure that motorists are adhering to the Road Rules.