From the Head of Junior School

As we conclude the final week of Term 1, I reflect on how much we have managed to fit into the first 10 weeks of the year. After the restrictions and cancellations of the past 2 years it has been wonderful to be able to see some of our school events and activities returning. Our Swimming and Athletics carnivals were a great success and were also well patronised by our parents and extended families and friends.

Being able to meet parents face to face for the Meet the Teachers Evening was another small milestone that gives us a feeling of optimism for a better year. The GPF Outdoor Cinema last Friday night was also well attended despite the cold weather. I am sure families loved the opportunity to connect socially while enjoying the movie. Our sincere thanks to the GPF for putting on the event.

While we cannot predict what the Winter terms will bring, I can assure parents that we will continue to provide the best educational program and engage with students and families whatever the circumstances. Please enjoy the holidays and Easter break with your families. I look forward to greeting you all at the gate for the commencement of Term 2.

Mr Donald Thompson

Head of Junior School

Lake Day

On Wednesday the 30th of March 2022, Girton Grammar School (Junior) had its Lake Day event. It was a perfect day and the whole of Junior School went to Lake Neangar at different times throughout the day and did as many laps as possible around the lake. Some students did over 10 laps! Each family was invited to donate $5 dollars to raise money for the flood relief for New South Wales and Queensland. The total amount raised was $1,157.30.

There were some little fun activities like mini hurdles and hoola hoops along the way. It was a great day and we can’t wait to do it again next year.

Big thank you to Mrs Gibson for organising this event.

By Isla Westbrook (5 Frew) and Benjamin Bowles (5 Riley)

Easter Egg Hunt

During the week our Year 12 Prefects Phoebe and Isaac came to visit us. When they came in the room they told us that they had seen something furry hopping around the playground. We asked them if they thought they had seen the Easter Bunny. Isaac said, “Maybe it was. We better go and check.” So we all rushed down the stairs to see if the Easter Bunny had left us anything. He had hidden bags of Easter eggs all around the playground. We had to find the bag with our initials on it. Noah found his straight away but Mikaela had a bit of trouble. She finally found it before it melted. Sean was away so Mrs Fisher told us all to quickly find his. Lucky Zoro found it. Phoebe and Isaac came back to the classroom and we made our Funky Bunnies. We like it when Phoebe and Isaac visit, especially when they spot the Easter Bunny. Happy Easter!

Joshua Ashby (4 Frew)

Year Five Excursion: 13 Story Treehouse

On Friday the 25th of March, Year Five students participated in an excursion to Ulumbarra Theatre. This gave students the opportunity to experience a live stage show. The 13 Storey Treehouse, produced by Richard Tulloch, is an adaptation of multi-award winning book by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton. All involved thoroughly enjoyed the show. Here is what some of our student’s had to say.

It was hilarious. I could not stop laughing!

Ailiyah 5D

I liked it because it was very funny. I would like to encourage others to watch this.

Xavier 5D

I really enjoyed the performance once it started. I liked the comedy aspect but they could have interacted with the audience more.

Saige 5M

Year Five Excursion: Melbourne Museum and Old Treasury Building

Before we left school the Harcourt students (Raff, Jordan, Abe, Ella, Ollie and Tate) had to wait in the cold breeze waiting for the bus that was delayed by one hour. We had to go in Abe’s Mum’s car to drive to school. In the car we listened to the songs, Le Freak, Take On Me and half of Pump It Up. With 5 boys and 1 girl in a car driving to school, well, you could say it was a bit crazy.

On our way to Melbourne, we stopped at Calder Park to switch bus drivers. The traffic was a bit busy getting to Melbourne. Our first stop was the Old Treasury Building in Spring Street. We were separated into groups. Three groups went in first and the other three groups ate recces. Jones, Riley and Frew House went in first and Jenkin, Aherne and Milward House had recess first.

The Old Treasury Building was filled with amazing sculptures and information, such as the biggest golden nugget ever found, Colonial Melbourne and how Melbourne was before the gold rush. One of the exhibitions was a map of Melbourne in the 1800s. It showed the State Library, the MCG and much more. The Old Treasury Building was built to keep the gold from the Gold Rush. There are many vaults that are used to store the gold.

After the Old Treasury Building visit, we had lunch outside of the Melbourne Museum, before going to see the Melbourne Exhibition. We learned that on ‘Little Lon’ the houses were really small and were put right next to each other and people shared a backyard with their neighbour! Living conditions weren’t very good and you found a lot of people playing on the streets.

Cole's Book Arcade has several floors, over 2 million books, a lolly shop, a toy shop, educational monkey exhibit, fernery with talking parrots, photography studio, funhouse, Tea Salon, a live band and a section called “Read For As Long As You Like - No One Asked To Buy”. There was even a place that gave you a free massage, we would probably like that the most.

We had a fun day out in Melbourne and learned a lot about how Melbourne was in the 1800s.

Flynn Radford (5 Riley), Tate Cantwell (5 Millward), Yoseph Syed (5 Frew) and Ollie Wadkins (5 Frew)

Year Six Camp: Canberra

This week our Year Six students were able to attend school camp in Canberra. Our students were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage, and democracy. These programs link directly to our classroom curriculum so it was a great experience for the children to be able to see so many aspects of what they had learned in the class in the real context. Thank you to Mrs Bath, Mrs Milner, Mr Di Fede, Ms Holmberg, Mrs Henery, Mrs Vernon, Mrs Butler-Rees and Mr Dehnert who travelled to Canberra to facilitate this camp.

We also wish to thank the Australian Government for recognising the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government contributes funding of $45 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion and applied towards the cost of the Year Six Camp.

Student recount by Rory Vandersmagt (6 Jones) and Octavia Yuen (6 Frew)

After a long bus trip, consisting of three movies, lots of bathroom stops and lots of conversations, we arrived in Canberra. We hopped off the bus, to be greeted with delicious hot dogs and pasta for dinner. Everyone then sleepily headed off to their cabins for bed.

In the morning we were woken up at 6:30am to get dressed and ready for a big day out.

Our week in Canberra was so much fun and some of our highlights were: The ANZAC Parade when we learnt about all the different artistic sculptures and what they represent. We also went to Parliament House and met Senator Van. Tuesday night was filled with lots of screaming, cheering, and bowling. That’s right we went to a bowling arcade. Mr Di Fede won the teacher’s game with a whopping score of 167. Oscar and Spencer tied the highest score for the kids with 114. On Wednesday we went to Old Parliament House and got to sit in the House of Representatives and the Senate, it also had the original Speakers chair with the British crest.

Wednesday night we went to Questacon and had a delicious dinner of chicken schnitzel and chips. We got to explore all the exhibitions but unfortunately, the vertical slide was closed due to COVID-19.

Thursday, we went to the AIS and tried out all the simulator sport games. But in our opinion, the best night was Thursday night when we had the BUTLER REES TALENT SHOW. The winner was crowned with the Victory Crown and a pack of lollies. Our trip to Canberra was so much fun and will be a fun memory to look back on.

Bookclub Co-Curric

‘Girton Book Club’ is a new Co-Curricular Programme for students in Years 5 and 6. Each Thursday we meet after school to browse different genres, discuss our current reading obsessions, share book recommendations, learn about authorial devices, play literature related games and explore interesting authors and fabulous new book series. Please contact Mrs Nicola Matthew to join our club. New members are always welcome!

Mrs Nicola Matthew

MiC Junior School Bookclub

Origami Club

On Thursday lunch times, Junior School students meet in the Junior School library as part of “Origami Club”. The club is organised by Mrs Krelle/Mrs Burge and is open to any Junior School student. Attendance each week is voluntary. Over the term the students have constructed a variety of origami, such as cubes, tigers, chatterboxes and rabbits.

Mrs Kendra Burge

Girton ASTRA App