Last Friday we had a very interesting assembly with a great Year 5 camp video and an unbelievable performance from The Singing Blues, our Junior School choir. I also had an opportunity to discuss some of the issues that can arise for students who are hanging around a little bit too long at the various bus interchanges in Queanbeyan and Canberra. We spoke about the fact that parents and guardians want their son/s to be safe and to know that they are making their way to school as quickly as possible in the mornings and home as quickly as possible in the afternoons. We spoke about the fact that the staff and parents/guardians do not want boys to be buying large amounts of lollies and junk food before and after school. Unfortunately we have been finding some students with a significant amount of lollies in their bag. I made the point to the students that this is clearly not want we want as a community. I have rung Kmart, Woolworths and Coles in the vicinity of the various interchanges and asked them to move St Edmund’s Junior School students on if they see them there without their parents/guardians. Given many of these stores now have self-checkout this might prove too difficult but I have also asked our students not to go to the shops before and after school. As a Junior School staff, we are asking that you have a discussion with your son/s about the risks associated with being in the interchanges too long or attending shops unsupervised. Together, I am sure we can help these young men to make sensible decisions, even when there are no adults around.
Just a reminder about our School Christmas hamper appeal for St Vincent de Paul and Karinya House. The amount of donations of foodstuffs and personal care items such as body moisturisers or items for babies such as baby toys has been heart-warming. Some students are also taking part in “Chores for Charity” where they do chores for family/friends and receive a token payment for completing the chore.
The money collected is returned to school and at the completion of the appeal this money is then spent purchasing more items for both our charities. I would like to acknowledge and thank you for your ongoing and very generous support of the appeal. The College touchstones of Inclusive community and Gospel Spirituality are very evident in the Junior School at present. Thank you to Ms Cusack for organising and driving this appeal in the Junior School. The final date for this drive is 6 December.
Hats – Just a reminder that all Junior School students need to have a hat for PE classes and also for recess and lunch. As with all clothing, please ensure your son’s hat is clearly marked with his name. Please write a note for your son if he has lost his hat and needs to wear another hat for the remainder of 2019.
Thursday 7 November – Sports afternoon run by Year 11 Sports & Recreation class. Please bring PE gear to school tomorrow!
Thursday 14 and Friday 15 November – Year 4 Retreat and Challenge Program
Friday 15 November – Junior School application grades posted on CANVAS
Tuesday 26 November – Start Smart Presentation for whole of Junior School
Thursday 28 November – Piping and Drumming Presentation for whole of Junior School
Thursday 5 December – Christmas Concert in the Hall @ 6pm – BBQ beforehand. Please come and join us for this terrific community event.
Monday 9 December – Junior School Picnic Day. On this day students of the Junior School will attend Big Splash Waterpark in Macquarie, ACT. Students will catch a bus to and from the venue and a letter will be coming home in the next couple of weeks. Students may wear mufti clothes on this day.
Tuesday 10 December – Junior School Presentation Ceremony – @9.15am – 10.30am. On this occasion award recipients (first, second and third) for each class will be recognised, along with other major awards including sportsman of the year, a music award and improvement awards for each class. All Year 6 students will receive a graduation certificate. We have had a few questions about whether family members can take their son’s out for lunch afterwards…this is of course absolutely fine. If your son will be leaving after the ceremony, please email Mrs Gray in advance.
David Kelly (Assistant Principal – Junior School)