From the Head of the Junior School
Dear Parents and Friends of the Junior School,
Another week has flown by and boys and staff are engaged and working very hard as we move towards the final learning experiences and celebrations planned for the last four weeks of the year.
Thank you to the Auxiliary for organising Gelato Day today for the students and staff. It was very much appreciated. All parents will be notified soon of the opportunity to purchase a sausage sizzle lunch with drink for boys on Tuesday 22nd November. This is being organised by the Year 6 students with funds raised contributing to the traditional Year 6 gift to the Junior School which is presented by the graduating cohort at Prize Giving.
Our Year 2 boys were wonderful hosts when sharing their emerging understanding of their own identity and history via their treasures and storytelling on Tuesday afternoon. Great job, boys and Mrs Richards! Thank you to all of the parents who supported the boys through attendance at Tuesday’s open classroom session and for engaging with all of the students. The room was buzzing with boys proud of their learning and the chance to share.
With warmer weather finally making an appearance, it seemed appropriate to be in the water this week and almost all students had the opportunity. The Swimming Carnival on Monday gave all the boys in Years 3-6 the opportunity to swim and cheer for their House and enjoy the performances of their peers, which included three Junior School records on the day. The Champion House and Age Champions will be announced at Monday’s Assembly. Kindergarten and Year 2 journeyed off-campus each day for their Swimming Intensive Programme. We are very pleased to have been able to facilitate this programme as it boosts boys’ confidence and skills around water. Year 1 will get their chance next week as they join Year 2 for the second week of the programme.
I commend to parents two evening events in the upcoming week:
- On Tuesday, commencing at 6.30pm, in the Junior School Library, we host Year 5 parents for a session with Professor Andrew Martin, Professor of Educational Psychology at University of New South Wales (and Trinity parent), who specialises in student motivation, engagement and achievement. The boys have recently used a tool to measure aspects of their own motivation and engagement. Andrew will speak to parents about the relationship between motivation, engagement and achievement, how parents can have a positive influence throughout their son’s educational journey, and how to interpret their son’s results. I encourage all Year 5 families to have a parent in attendance.
- On Wednesday, commencing at 6pm, in the Assembly Hall, we will enjoy our Evening of Music, an event that returns to our schedule after the restrictions of 2021 and 2022. The boys in our ensembles are looking forward to performing for a full audience. Parents and family members who attend will no doubt enjoy a variety of wonderful performances and a chance to see how the music programme grows boys over the years.
Another event returning after a break in recent years is the Year 6 Social with students from other Inner West schools. On Thursday night, the Year 6 boys will enjoy an evening of dancing, socialising and fun with their peers and students from PLC, MLC, Meriden, Newington and the Preparatory School. Parents are particularly asked to heed instructions and timings for drop-off and pick-up as we try to coordinate the movement of many students, most of whom are not familiar with our carpark procedures.
As is our custom, we will mark Remembrance Day next Friday, although on this occasion, the boys in Years 2-6 will join with the Middle and Senior School students around the Main Quad for a shared commemoration.
Year 5 students are reminded to submit their leadership application forms and letters by next Friday.
This is a final call for Year 6 boys to submit certificates for Medallions of Excellence. We look forward to hosting parents at Monday’s presentation as another group of boys achieve this award. We will do a final presentation in coming weeks for any boys who manage to achieve their final certificate before the end of the year.
Parents are invited to the Auxiliary Annual General Meeting to be held at Café Envy at 9am on Thursday 17th November. At this meeting we will be electing the office holders for 2023.
Mark Dunn | Head of the Junior School
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
