Our first week in Junior School for 2019 was full of excitement, nervous energy and making new friends. 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.
Today we attended St Christopher’s Cathedral in Manuka to celebrate our opening school Mass. It was a wonderful way to commence celebrations of our 65th year as a school.
St Vincent de Paul Door Knock Appeal – Saturday 16 February. There is an opportunity for St Edmund’s students to assist with this appeal. Please ask your son to see Ms Cusack if he is interested. Students will meet at 9am.
Pink Stumps Day – Saturday 16 February. Pink Stumps Day (raising money/awareness for breast cancer research) is being held on Saturday 16 February and starts with a Junior School match between two under 11 teams. There is also the “main” event at 1pm, President’s XI v First XI, which will see the shirts designed last year by junior school students, Sebastian Hillier (Year 6) and Will Robinson (Year 6), being worn. It would be great to see as many Junior School families as possible support this wonderful event.
Weetbix Tryathlon – this year we had over 20 students participate in the Weetbix ‘Try’athlon. Congratulations to the students from St Edmund’s Junior School who were there to participate, cheer on their mates and create awesome memories.
School Photos – your son should have had his photo taken last Friday. There is a catch-up day this Thursday 14 February.
Co-curricular Opportunities – an email should have come home a couple of weeks ago (to the primary contact email and also your son’s email account) regarding choices for upcoming seasons/activities. This year we are trying to align Junior School sports trainings to a Wednesday afternoon (or sometime 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 Wednesdays 3.30pm-4.30pm in the Junior School Library. Parents/carers should contact Mrs Holly Ellem (hellem@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.
Swimming Carnival Notes – Please ensure you have read this note and returned any required forms to your son’s teacher. Mr Fox is busy getting ready for the carnival which is always great fun.
David Kelly (Assistant Principal Junior School)