From the Head of the Junior School

Dear Parents and Friends of the Junior School,

I trust that today’s Learning Conferences and Interviews proved to be enjoyable and productive conversations allowing boys, parents and teachers to reflect upon growth, progress goals and consider constructive and collaborative approaches to any learning challenges. Thank you to all parents for making the time to partner with your child’s teacher today. I also trust that the day without check-ins and scheduled lessons was just what was needed for the boys, whether that be through some interesting learning activities, the time to catch-up, or the freedom to enjoy the late-winter sunshine.    

Please note that yesterday’s parent update concerned events in coming weeks which I will reiterate here with additional detail:

• Green Patch Day – next Wednesday. Following morning check-in, boys will have the choice of learning activities related to four of the seven Ps of the Patch. More than any other day so far, the activities will require certain supplies and pre-planning…please look closely at the items list that Mrs Bargwanna has included in this newsletter to allow you to check cupboards, garages and sheds, and then include on your shopping or click’n’collect lists. Teachers are also making the list available via their class pages. Not every activity will be practical for every household, but this is certainly a case where leaving it until Wednesday morning will likely lead to disappointment when key ingredients aren’t instantly attainable. The forecast looks stunning for these fun activities, perfectly timed to coincide with the first day of spring!
• Father’s Day – in lieu of the breakfasts we have been unable to run at school and the camps that boys have missed, we are encouraging boys to plan an activity with Dad for next week and then post a photo so we can at least share in a glimpse of everyone’s fun. Activities could include sharing a special breakfast, camping in the backyard, biking or walking together, a night around the firepit, or sharing a story. We will provide a link to upload photos next week.
• Walk-a-thon – we look forward to continuing our annual tradition of having fun outside, promoting physical and mental health, and raising money for a great cause…despite the challenges of the moment. This year our Walk-a-thon will be about exercising every day (or at least lots of days) over the coming month and being sponsored to do so. A significant proportion of funds raised will again go to JMF (John Maclean Foundation) to support the participation in sports of children with a disability, through the provision of specialised wheelchairs. The details of activities and how to gather sponsors will also be distributed next week.
• In Week 9, our ‘special’ day will have a focus on wellbeing with some special activities, guests and a number of GROWTH lessons being planned for all classes.
• In Week 10, we will hold Grandparent’s Week, again hoping to encourage some joy through creative and much-needed contact between boys and grandparents.  

Please look out for communication with further details about all these events over the next fortnight.

One of the many ways that the School partners with parents is to provide guidance and direction in areas such as parenting, relationships and mental health. The TESS psychologists have recently compiled a summary of parent and community support resources which can be accessed via this link. I encourage all parents to bookmark this page.

At the time of writing, the State government was outlining a proposal for the staggered return of students to school over the next term. We will take time to digest this plan, consider its implications for learning and student safety, and then communicate to parents how this may impact what schooling will look like for Trinity students for the term ahead.

Mark Dunn | Head of Junior School

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 John 4:10-11