Our first week in Junior School for 2018 was full of excitement, nervous energy and making new friends….and that was just the staff. Our students have begun brilliantly and there is a real feeling of purpose heading into this year. Like the beginning of any year, there are new classmates, new learning opportunities and fresh starts. The Junior School teachers have commented on the excellent behaviour and eagerness to learn demonstrated by the students in their care.
Woodwork classes begin for Junior School
This year we have added a specialist line of woodwork (design and technology). Although the first few lessons have been centred on being safe in the workshop, the students appear very keen to begin designing and creating pieces of work. Woodwork provides a unique learning experience for young children. It is rich in so many areas of learning and development and it is an activity which children really enjoy doing, being absorbed for extended periods of time. It encompasses creative thinking, mathematics skills, scientific investigation, physical development and coordination, developing language and vocabulary, and much more. Classes will learn about the design process and projects will become gradually more demanding dependent upon how safe the students are and how skilful they can become in the workshop.
School Photos
Your son should have had his photo taken last Friday. There is a catch-up day this Thursday 15 February
Co-curricular Opportunities
An email will come home this week regarding choices for upcoming seasons/activities. This year we are trying to align Junior School sports trainings to a Wednesday afternoon (or sometimes Mondays if there is a second training or if there is no oval space on Wednesdays). This ideally will free up Tuesday/Thursday/Fridays for students to participate in other activities that the school offers. As always, there will be exceptions. Basketball, for example, may have trainings on any morning or afternoon due to court availability. Any questions about co-curricular should be directed to Mr Angus Balmaks. (abalmaks@stedmunds.act.edu.au)
Junior School Homework Support
Tuesdays and Thursdays 3.30pm-4.30pm in the Junior School Library. Parents/carers should contact Ms Bridget Cusack (bcusack@stedmunds.act.edu.au) should they wish to book in for these support sessions. Bookings will need to be made with more than one day’s notice. Please note that one-on-one tutoring is beyond the scope of this program, it is designed as a place students can work on homework or assignments and obtain some support with this.