Notices Sent Home this Week

Basketball 2017 Expressions of Interest
Speech Day invitations – Prep to Year 5 families
House Swimming Carnival letter – Prep to Year 5

International Politics 101 - Prep

I wasn’t aware that our Prep class were studying International Politics until, one lunchtime in the staff room, Mrs Kelly shared a classroom conversation she had just overheard!

Prep Student, “So who’s for Trump?”

Fellow Student reply, “I follow Hawthorn.”

Junior Campus Staffing 2017

Yesterday we held our Orientation Day at Junior Campus for Prep to Year 6 students. It was a very positive day, designed to prepare your children for their year ahead. The children were particularly keen to meet the new staff and students who will be joining us for the coming year. A great deal of thought and discussion goes into staff placements to ensure the best possible outcomes for the College Community. Just as Stephen Nelson and I are looking forward to (and excited by) the new challenges provided through taking on new roles next year, the Primary teaching staff are more than ready for their new Year Level allocations:

Prep / Year One – Mrs Sharon Kelly
Year Two – Miss Simone Brabham
Year Three – Mrs Bernadette Milich
Year Four – Mr Stephen Mirtschin (joining us from Year 6)
Year Five – Mrs Helen Mackarness
Year Six (moving to the Middle Years Centre) – Miss Sophie Ross and Mrs Elisha Nettleton

Mr Kane Outtram has advised us that he will leave us at the end of the year, as he searches for a position in the Geelong areas, closer to his network of friends. Mr Outtram leaves us with a breadth of experiences during his first year that should stand him in very good stead for all future teaching appointments. We wish him every success in his search for his next teaching position and are actively supporting him in this pursuit.

Mr Stephen Mirtschin came to the College from Pembroke School in Adelaide where he was involved as a Primary School teacher while also teaching maths enrichment and physical education. More recently he has been teaching Year Six at the College alongside Mr Stephen Nelson. This term he has also been the Middle Years English teacher working with our two Year Five classes and has been coaching some of our Primary cricket players.

We are delighted that Mrs Anna Robertson will remain with us in a part-time capacity and her role will be outlined shortly.

Remembrance Day Service Tomorrow

Tomorrow, 11th of November, our Year 5 Young House students will be leading the Junior Campus Service of Remembrance. This formal Service will be held in front of the Myrniong Homestead (weather permitting) and will commence at 10:30am. Family and friends are invited to join us for this special occasion.

Sportsmanship & Sporting Achievements

I was delighted to receive a phone call recently to share with me observations of one of our student’s sportsmanship. Dougal White, a Year 2 basketballer, broke his arm during a match earlier this term. Despite having his arm in plaster, he has continued to attend every match to support his team members and has even helped out with scoring. Well done Dougal, a terrific show of sportsmanship! He will receive a merit certificate at our Assembly next week.

Congratulations to Charlie Beggs who competed in the Hamilton Fun Run last weekend. Not only did Charlie place 2nd in his age-group, he placed 3rd overall. This was another wonderful track achievement for Charlie.

Best wishes to the U12 Powerful Owls Basketball team, coached by Mr Andrew Hoskyns, as they compete in the Hamilton Amateur Basketball Association semi-finals this Friday. The boys have worked hard and deserve their success and position in the A Division of the U12 Competition.

Chess Team State Competition Report

I was delighted to receive photos and updates on our Chess team’s successes at the State final on Tuesday. Our team of 5 players were among 262 players from across 45 schools. The team ranked 32nd - a solid effort, given that many of the players from across Melbourne access Chess Clubs and Camps beyond school and attend schools that promote Chess as their special offering or point of difference. A particular thank you to Jake Tonissen who, as our emergency player, attended his first State Competition when Fraser Diprose had an injury precluding him from attending. Thank you to Nick Hoskyns who stepped into the role of Chess Captain for the tournament.

Charlie Beggs scored 2.5 from 9 rounds, Jake and Tobe Adamson both scored 3, Nick scored 4.5 (placing him in the top 53% of the competition) and Stirling Cuming scored 6 (placing him in the top 21% of the competition). Thank you to the wonderful team of supporting parents and to Miss Simone Brabham for her work with the Chess team.

Year 5 Assembly - Tuesday 15th November

Family and friends of the Year 5 Classes are invited to join them in celebrating their learning at a Year Level Assembly on Tuesday, 15th November. The children will be reflecting on their time at Myrniong. Assembly will be held in the Refectory at the special earlier time of 10:00am and runs until 10:50am.

Walk to School - Bike Prize!

Thank you to all of the students who took part in our Walk to School Challenge across the month of October. Students who participated will have a healthy morning tea provided, as a local government initiative, this coming Monday. They also go into a school draw for a bike and helmet (a donation from Victorian Government) this coming Friday! The winner will be announced in the newsletter next week.

Craft Club Donations

This week, the Heads of Junior Campus SRC wrote and sent a letter of thanks to Mrs Louise Parlour for her incredibly generous donation of craft materials. Mrs Drummond’s recess Christmas Craft club have enjoyed unpacking the 5 large tubs in search of great resources for their Christmas decorations.

Year Four - Club Kidprenuer Sales at Hirl Market

Come along and support our Year Four entrepreneurs at the HIRL market on Saturday, 26th of November from 9.00am – 12.00pm. Throughout the year, the class have undertaken a Business Enterprise programme designed for children. In teams of three they have formed businesses, branded them, designed and produced goods which they are now ready to sell. The proceeds will cover the cost of materials (business costs) and profits will be donated to charity. The children are selling lip balm, plants and gift cards among other products.

Year Five Dinner - Date for your Diary

Year Five parents are asked to please save Thursday 1st of December for the Year 5 end of Myrniong Years celebratory dinner. This is an event for Year 5 students and their parents only. An invitation with details of time and location are to follow shortly.

Gardening Club Fun

Thank you to Mrs Felicity Satchell who, with the help of our maintenance team, has given our veggie patches a makeover. Children from across the school worked with Felicity last week to plant out the garden beds and are excited to see the first strawberry already ripening!

Basketball End of Season and 2017

As, once again, we wind up the season for basketball I would like to thank the following coaches and managers for their time, hard work and encouragement of our young basketballers:

Chantal Butcher, Chris Murphy & Teresa Purcell
Helen Mackarness, Chelsea Jeal, Simone Brabham
Kane Outtram
Andrew Hoskyns
Sophie Ross, Pip Steer & Sam O’Shannessy

I wish Simone Brabham well as she takes over the role of Head of Basketball for the College next year.

If your child is turning 8 or older next year and interested in playing, please complete and return the Basketball 2017 expression of interest form.

BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS Friday, 11th November:

Semi Final 1: U12A Boys College Powerful Owls vs Minders White 5:40pm Court 2 HILAC

Blessing of the Pets Service

BLESSING OF THE PETS SERVICE – Tuesday, 22nd November 9:00am

It is time to start primping, preening and grooming your canines, felines, scaly and feathered friends in preparation for our much loved annual Blessing of the Pets! This special Service of Worship is held on the grounds at Myrniong at 9:00am. We do ask that pets are appropriately restrained and taken home at the conclusion of the Service. Following the passing of our Year Four turtles last week, it will be good to celebrate the lives of our pets!

Week Ahead

Monday, 14th November

– U12 Basketball Preliminary Finals

Tuesday, 15th November

– Year 5 Class Assembly in the Refectory commencing at 10:00am

– Percussion Ensemble in the sunken garden at lunchtime

Thursday, 17th November

House Swimming Carnival (Hughan Park Outdoor Pool 10:00am – 2:30pm)

Friday, 18th November

House Swimming Carnival back up day

– Basketball Grand finals

Miss Ieva Hampson

Head of Junior Campus

School Information

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