Junior School Online Parent Forum

On Tuesday, May 5th, Deputy Head of Junior School Mrs. Bernadette Milich and I presented an online forum where we discussed how remote learning looked at the Junior School and answered parent questions submitted in the online survey and sent in ‘live’ during the forum. We also spoke about the student and staff transition to remote learning, the challenges faced for parents, students and staff, tips for parents supporting learners at home and the changes that have occurred to testing, reporting, school events and major Junior School excursions. These included;

*NAPLAN testing cancelled for Years Three and Five

*Semester One reports replaced with Parent/Teacher interviews in mid-Term Three

*All ICAS REACH testing moved to later in Term Three

*House Cross County moved to later in Term Three

*Year Six Canberra trip - cancelled

*Year Five Sovereign Hill excursion - cancelled

*Year Three and Four IPSHA Melbourne excursion and Naracoorte Caves camp - cancelled.

The forum can be viewed on the College’s Facebook page.

Student Well-Being Survey

This week Junior School students from Prep to Year Six were asked to complete an online survey asking some well-being questions relating to remote learning. The response has been substantial and I thank our older students, younger students and parents of younger students for their support and responses. Well-being is at the cornerstone of all we do at the Junior School. The staff and I will analyse the data at upcoming staff meetings.

Questions included;

*How well are you sleeping during the 'remote learning' school week?

*What do you miss most about not being at school?

*What do you most like about remote learning at home?

*How easy or difficult do you find it to keep in touch with your friends during remote learning?

*If you could change one thing about remote learning, what would it be?

*How have you found using computers/devices to remote learn?

*Which remote learning subject would you say has been the most rewarding and enjoyable?

Trees at Myrniong

In the past weeks, Arborplan, a tree management systems company has been working at the Junior School assessing the significant trees within the Myrniong grounds. The trees were counted and assessed for structural integrity. At last Wednesday’s Junior School Assembly, students were given the challenge of ‘guestimating’ the exact number of significant trees at Myrniong. The correct answer was 350. Many students were in the ballpark, but our winner was Year Six student Will Bourke, who guessed exactly 350. Well done Will. A prize will be in the post.

Missing Myrniong

Year Five student Amelia Bradbeer has completed her ‘Missing Myrniong’ project. Amelia collected written submissions from students and staff. She merged these with photographs and produced an outstanding book using Microsoft Sway. Well done Amelia for showing great vision and initiative. Year Four student Archie Malseed submitted the following excellent poem;

Myrniong is so special, it has an atmosphere

Of catching up with all my mates for lots of fun and cheer

An oval is a wonderful place for all our sports and games

Like footy, cricket, soccer and dodgeball,

Oh, how things have changed.

I miss my Music class, with Mrs Christie’s flair,

And Mrs Cameron’s Art class, nothing can compare.

Mrs Patterson has P.E., she likes to keep us fit

Chinese with Ms Vaughan, how could we possibly quit?

Mrs McDonald with Performing Arts,

It’s a great way to fill our day,

I miss all the other teachers too,

I can’t wait to come back and play.

I miss Mrs Povey’s smiling face and Mr Nelson too,

But my teacher, Miss Ross, what would I do without you?

I cannot wait to return to school,

It really is a treat.

To hang out with my mates all-day

Myrniong, you make us complete.

Stephen Nelson

Head of Junior School

The Hamilton and Alexandra College Newsletter

Issue 14 · 14 May 2020

In this issue