The Girton eLink

Junior School News

From the Acting Head of Junior School

On Thursday we had the pleasure of welcoming 381 Junior School students back to school.  44 of these were excited Preparatory students and 41 new to other classes.  It is always an enjoyable day for staff and students, everyone excited about returning.

I have since enjoyed a visit to all classes and it is rewarding to see the way our students embrace the challenges of a new year and the opportunity to help new students find their way. 

Parents were also welcomed in the Meet and Greet evening held on Thursday night when they had an opportunity to visit classrooms and speak with teachers. 

I emailed parents last week and explained the difficulty we were facing with parents parking in the designated drop off zone.  I very much appreciate the immediate response we received to this email.  I enclose information from a previous eLink  in regard to parking.

Mrs Viv Bath

Acting Head of Junior School

Click on the image above to view the gallery

Student Pick-Up

Over the years we have worked with the Bendigo City Council to modify the parking allocations to try and improve traffic flow and to ensure the safety of our students. Two years ago, at our request, the council came out and reviewed our processes in the afternoon to provide advice for possible improvement. In short, without the ability to move the school boundary and put in another lane, the council felt we were doing everything we could to maximise efficiency. They did note that there are still a number of visitors to the school who do not comply with the parking requirements which increases the congestion and, consequently, the frustration of other road users.

Since then the council has visited regularly and are issuing infringement notices when they see cars parking illegally. Their practice is to observe, take photos and issue notices through the mail. Recently I have had several parents come in to complain that they have received infringement notices for parking on the corner of MacKenzie and Vine in the area marked with yellow lines. This is a no parking zone and the council will continue to issue infringement notices to drivers who park in this area. I have encouraged the council to increase their presence at drop off and pick up times and to issue infringements where required. I understand from personal experience the frustration of receiving an infringement notice. I also understand and accept the frustration of those parents who cannot pull in to drop off their children because others have parked in the no parking bays.

If your child is not at the gate ready for immediate pick up we ask that you please drive around the block to allow other parents to pick up their children who may be ready and waiting. Parents parking and waiting, sometimes into Vine St, cause congestion which, in turn, creates danger for those students and parents who are walking to and from school.

A reminder also that any Junior School students not collected by 3.45 pm will be taken down to After School Care and can be collected from there. If you do find that you are unavoidably detained please contact Junior School Reception on 0344085919 and we will escort your child to After School Care. This is particularly important for our younger students who can become quite upset if they are left at the gate for longer than usual.

New Year, New Playground for Junior School

 

The Girton Parents and Friends (GPF) Association has ensured that the Junior School students have taken a running leap, slide, and swing into the new year with a new playground funded by the 2018 School Fair.

Thanks to a $50,000 donation to the school from the GPF our youngest students have a new favourite play space.

The playground is designed to provide a fun and safe environment for the students, encouraging them to be active, imaginative and social at recess and lunchtime. The equipment includes access and exit points in various directions and is designed to allow easy progression from one activity to another.

New equipment includes slides, ladders, a spider web climber, tunnels, vertical scramble net, rock wall, monkey bars, jungle square, and balance bridges.

Students were involved in influencing the design and colour of the new playground and by popular demand, the much-loved water tank cubby house from the old playground will be incorporated into the new playground.

A landscaping plan to incorporate garden beds and soft fall rubber to replace the pine bark chips is currently being designed, and in the meantime, the students using the playground are developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. 

Above all, they love the playground simply because it is fun.

The Junior School students and staff thank the GPF for the substantial donation that made the new play space possible.

Click on the image above to view the gallery

Thank you Girton Parents and Friends Association for our new playground!

Bringing a little Chinese New Year to Year Four

 

On the first day of the Chinese New Year Nicholas Chong from 4D presented us with an Ang Pau which is a lucky red packet to wish everyone prosperity and good luck for 2019 lunar new year.  There were some special lollies inside for the children.

Wishing you Gong Hei Fat Choy - wishing you great happiness and prosperity. 

Dogs on school ground

For many families dogs are an important part of daily life. Indeed, for some, they hold a special place as members of the family. While we appreciate the importance of pet ownership as an educational experience we also recognise that some children are not familiar with pets and can become quite anxious. It has been brought to my attention that there are several students who have become very anxious about dogs in the school grounds before and after school. We would ask that parents do not bring dogs into the school grounds before or after school, typically the busiest times of the day in terms of student movement around the grounds. We also ask that parents do not leave dogs unsupervised outside of the school grounds.  Should you wish to bring your dog (or other pet) to school for a special occasion, such as your child’s “show and tell” day, please advise the teacher in advance so that they can prepare the children.  For those parents with children who are nervous about dogs it would be helpful to talk to them about Assistance Dogs as we do have several Assistance Dogs who will be in and around the school.

http://www.assistancedogs.org.au/

Thank you for your co-operation and consideration of the needs of all students.

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 which 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 in 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.

Junior School Swimming Carnival

Friday 22nd February

Bendigo East Swimming Pool

TRAVEL:              

All students will be transported by bus to the Bendigo East Pool, leaving from the Vine Street entrance. The Carnival will be run in two parts.  Students in Years Three to Year Six will be departing for the pool at 9:00am. Students in Years One and Two will depart at 10:30am and Preparatory students will depart at 12:30pm.

 

LUNCH:               

Friends of Junior School are running a sausage sizzle. For those who wish to purchase sausages, they are $2.00 each. If you wish to have a sausage for lunch, please complete the attached envelope and return to the classroom teacher by Monday 18th February.  Students will be given wrist bands for their sausage order. Please feel free to order for family members attending the sports as well. If you are able to assist Friends of Junior School with the Sausage Sizzle in any way, please contact Junior School Reception.