As we approach the end of the semester, we look forward to some rest and relaxation. We have had quite a high rate of absences, mostly due to illness, and it will be an opportune time for some staff and students to refresh ahead of semester two. Our attendance as a Junior School has been down on recent years. Regular school attendance plays a crucial role in shaping both the academic success and overall wellbeing of students. When students attend school consistently, they are more likely to engage fully in learning, build strong social connections, and develop routines that support mental and emotional health. As educational researcher Professor Stephen Zubrick notes, “Every day at school counts. Students who attend regularly are more likely to succeed in literacy and numeracy and to stay engaged in their education over the long term.” While it is important to acknowledge that recent weeks have seen widespread illness throughout the community, and there are certainly times when staying home is the healthiest choice, it is also vital to recognise that frequent or extended absences can significantly impact a student’s learning progress and sense of connection to school. Supporting children to attend whenever they are well enough helps lay the foundation for positive educational and life outcomes. As a school community, we will look to prioritise attendance over the coming months, and I will continue to promote the benefits of attendance with our staff and students.
Thank you to all families in our community for their support of the varied fundraising initiatives run throughout the term. This term we had each House in the High School organising an activity. As a Junior School, our fundraising initiative will be held later next term (in better weather) as a school colour run. More information to come.
Sacramental Program Mass – Tuesday 24 June at 6.30pm at St Christopher’s Cathedral, Manuka. Congratulations to all of our students receiving their sacraments next week. Thank you to Ms Cusack and Mrs Wilson for all of their hard work with our students over the last six weeks.
ACT Cross Country at Stromlo. Well done to all students who competed last Friday. We had three students compete: Congratulations to Eddie Moloney, James Apperley and William O’Sullivan.
Pupil Free Day Monday 21 July – Please note the first day back for students in Term 3 is Tuesday 22 July. Teachers will gather on Monday 21 July for professional learning.
Year 5 Camp reminder – Thank you so much for registering your son for the upcoming Year 5 camp. We are really looking forward to what promises to be a fun, enriching, and memorable experience for all involved.
As we continue finalising arrangements, we would like to gently remind you that from June 21 onwards, we will be confirming all bookings and costs with our camp providers. This means that if your son is unable to attend the camp after this date, we will still need to collect full payment to cover the reserved place and associated expenses.
We understand that plans can sometimes change, so if you anticipate any issues with attendance, please let us know as soon as possible—ideally before June 21—so we can adjust where needed.
Thanks again for your support, and we cannot wait to share this exciting camp adventure with your son/s.
School Sport ACT Representative 12/U Opportunities – School Sport ACT has a set process for applying and participating in Sporting Trials.
Anyone interested in trialling for the various regional sports, needs to log onto the ACT Sports Website and register for the sport that your child wishes to trial. It is the responsibility of parents/carers to monitor the website for any upcoming sporting events, if your child is interested in competing in the regional competitions.
Please also note if your child is successful in being selected for an ACT team to participate in a national or regional tournament, a formal written letter is required, addressed to the College Principal to seek permission for absence from school during this period. Once the College has received such a request it can then be formally approved for your son’s participation in this activity with School Sport ACT. Secondly, we will also be able to acknowledge his achievement here at school.
Year 4-6 After School Homework Club – No Homework Club in Week 9!
Tuesday & Wednesday after school (Weeks 2-8 only Term 2)
3.30pm – 4.30pm
Junior School Library lab
Boys are to bring work with them that they may need assistance with. This could be homework, assignments, extension work or additional work set by their classroom teacher.
Email hellem@sec.act.edu.au or book through Clipboard should you wish your son to attend.
Year 6 Runners Program – As a part of our Year 6 into High School transition program, we will be enlisting the assistance of Year 6 students to help as runners. As runners, the students will get to know the school layout very well ahead of Year 7. The students will work in pairs for a full day (learning remotely between jobs). The students will rotate through on a daily basis.
Hair Policy – Thank you to all parents/carers for keeping your son/s haircuts in line with the school’s uniform and hair policy. At times barbers may make mistakes. If they are informed of their mistake, many will fix the haircut (in line with our policy) at no extra charge. Could I please ask that all parents/carers familiarise themselves with the hair policy so that students can get about their daily work without teacher’s asking them about their haircuts. Thank you for your assistance with this.
- Hair should be kept neat, tidy and clean at all times and not grown or styled into an extreme or exaggerated fashion.
- Hair should be uniform in length (or blended gradually) and no shorter than a number ‘two’. Longer hair (below the collar) needs to be tied back during the school day.
- Students are not allowed to have lines or designs shaved into their hair nor grow long sections of hair that can be fashioned into ‘top buns’, plaits, undercuts, braids, ‘rats tails’, ‘mohawks’ or ‘mullets’ etc.
Student Drop Off and Pick Up – Please do not use the staff carpark (off Canberra Avenue) to drop or collect students before and after school. This is a dangerous place for our students to be moving through and we would like to keep this area for staff only. Thank you for helping to keep our community safe.
David Kelly
Assistant Principal – Junior School