Heads of Junior School 

Learn to Swim October 25 – November 5 (Weeks 3 and 4)

All classes have commenced participating in the Learn to Swim programme this week. This takes place at the Collegiate Pool on Davey St. The boys have been absolute champions in the walk to and from the pool each day. It has provided a wonderful opportunity for some rich conversations between all the boys and the staff during the 1km walk. It is also fantastic to see all the boys getting in and having a go in their allocated groupings during the swimming lesson.

Please remember that there are no lunch orders during the two-week swimming programme. 

Catholic Mission Month

During October the Church celebrates and embraces Catholic Mission month. This is time to raise awareness and funds for the work of Catholic Mission in supporting vulnerable children around the world. In schools we support this through our attendance at the Catholic Mission Mass celebrated at St Therese’s Church, with the Archbishop Julian Porteous leading the Mass. Mrs Chambers took 10 Grade 6 boys who were wonderful representatives of SVC. Two of our boys also read the Universal Prayers. This was a great opportunity to join with other Southern Catholic Primary schools in prayer and reflection. 

The Junior Campus also had a fun morning wearing crazy socks to raise money and awareness for the work of Catholic Mission. There was a lot of excitement as many boys and staff sported crazy socks. Our Kinder boys were very excited to be joining in the fun too.  This year the focus of Catholic Mission is on the work of the Good Shepherd sisters in Thailand, who work with poor and vulnerable children and families. We appreciate the boys and staff supporting this outreach activity. 

Lord Mayor’s Reception for Children’s Week

Yesterday Mrs Messer along with Cody Tomes-Park and Joe Shanny had the opportunity to share morning tea with the Lord Mayor for Children’s Week. Here is what the boys had to say about the morning.

Just the experience alone was great learning about how the Council works and all of the special roles everyone plays. The day trip also was a great time to share ideas and actually be able to have a say and put forward some thoughts that we had. Overall, we had a great time. The Mayor and all the people were all welcoming and kind. The Council chambers were amazing and beautiful. The ideas of the fellow representatives were very clever, and their ideas were all relevant about things Hobart needs to improve. It was cool to be able to practice in a real meeting. The experience we had there was a fun experience. 

The discussions we had in the Council chambers were incredible. The student Lord Mayor got to wear the robes that the adult Lord Mayor usually wears. When we had the Council meeting we had short and sweet conversations when we were getting used to it. But when they started getting into a groove they had heated conversations. When we first entered the town hall the children decided to write a thought that they would do if they were Lord Mayor. Overall the experience was great.

Sports Photos

On Tuesday November 10, Leading Image will be taking our annual sports photos. All boys are to wear their sports uniform on the day. A house shirt is not required. More information will be sent via Edsmart next week.

Sport

The JSSATIS Grade 5&6 Touch football competition commenced last week and the Grade 5&6 Indoor Cricket will commence next week. Thank you to the parents who have volunteered to manage or coach a team. Grade 3&4 tee-ball has also commenced on a Tuesday afternoon. Thank you to Mrs Mary Weston, Mr Phil Weston, and Miss Lack for volunteering to look after two of the Grade 3&4 teams.

Southern Regional Basketball Championships

This event has been rescheduled to the weekend of November 27 and 28. 

STCPSSA and JSSATIS Athletics Carnivals

In the next couple of weeks, the Athletics team will be competing at the STCPSSA and JSSATIS athletics carnivals on Friday November 5 and Thursday November 11 respectively at the Domain Athletics Centre. Mrs McCullagh and Mrs Read will be accompanying the boys. We wish them all the best for the events they will be participating in.

SRC Initiative: Fair Week: Week 7: November 22 - 26

The SRC has come up with a brilliant idea of how we can still have some Fair activities. In Week 7, which is November 22 through to November 26, we will be having Fair Week at the Junior School. Each day we will have a different ‘food theme.’ For example, we will have Milkshake Monday, Taco Tuesday, Wedges Wednesday, Ice- Cream Thursday and Fairy Floss Friday. On the Friday, in the afternoon, we will also be holding our traditional class stalls. 

More information will be shared in the coming weeks. If you have any availability to help at lunchtime on any of these days, it would be appreciated. 

Before School Arrival Time

Of late we have noticed some boys arriving on the school site before 8.00am, some as early at 7.30am. As communicated earlier in the year by the Heads of Junior School and the College Principal, for your own child’s safety, your son should not be at school prior to 8.00am. Teacher supervision is provided from 8.15am. All boys arriving between 8.00am and 8.15am are to be seated in the amphitheatre. If you son needs to be here prior to 8.00am, before school care is available from Catholic Care at St Mary’s College. 

Thank you for your cooperation in this. 

Upcoming Calendar Events

Monday November 1                     Learn to Swim Program continues

Wednesday November 3               Caritas Just Leadership Day (5 x Grade 5 boys)

Thursday November 4                   Pre Kinder Session 3

Friday November 5                         STCPSSA Athletics Carnival

Thursday November 11                 JSSATIS Athletics Carnival