As everyone returns to school we reset and move into a significant period of transition for all Junior School students.
Our Year 6 cohort has clearly loved being back with their teachers and classmates. It was a joy to be outside with the boys at recess and lunch and see the connections link up once again. Our teachers have highlighted our way forward and celebrated being back together in community. Our focus will recognise the importance of wellbeing and acknowledge that children’s learning stamina may have diminished. Once again, we send out to all families a huge thank you for your work and support over the last 10 weeks. We are truly grateful to belong to such a wonderful community.
Co-Curricular Activities
Please note Junior School co-curricular activities are not running this week. There were a number of documents published regarding restrictions and advice for the community and schools from ACT Health late last week. Unfortunately, at the time of writing this article, there was a fair amount of ambiguity in the documents surrounding activities such as co-curricular. As we are making decisions that may impact health and safety, it is important that we have clarified expectations and health advice before potentially restarting co-curricular activities from next week. You will receive advice about when we are able to resume co-curricular activities. Please note that cricket training is able to operate as it is outdoors. Cricket players should have received advice about training days from the cricket coordinator.
End of Year Events
Please note we are endeavouring to hold the majority of our end of year events, with scalable options to abide by health advice. Certain events such as the Christmas Concert will not be able to go ahead due to issues with numbers and our ability to prepare performances across year groups in time.
Year 6 into 7 Transition
All Year 6 into Year 7 transition events will still be able to occur with the exception of the Year 7 2022 Orientation Day. As this day involved mixing too many students from different schools, it was deemed safest to move this to the first day back in 2022, with other days during the first few weeks of 2022 dedicated to transition and initial testing. I spoke to all Year 6 students last week about two events which will occur this term where they will get to know their Head of House for 2022 and get a feel for the 7-12 House system. All Year 6 students will attend the House farewells on Friday 12 November. They will be segregated from the other cohorts but will still be able to view these wonderful community events. Another Friday formation session will be devoted to Year 6 students spending time with their Head of House and possibly their tutor group for 2022. Students will receive details of this session closer to the time. We usually celebrate our Year 6’s with an excursion to Big Splash Waterpark on the second last day of Term 4. Planning and consideration is being given to whether this excursion can go ahead. Please note that students identified as needing a little more transition will be included in our pre-Eddies preparation group, which will be run by Lisa Millar.
The Junior School Presentation Ceremony – Tuesday 7 December at 9.15am – 10.30am in the Hall
Last year we were only able to have one parent per award winner and Year 6 student attend. There is hope that restrictions will ease on 29 November this year to allow us to have two parents of Year 6 students and award winners. Parents/carers of award winners will be notified via email in mid-November.
Semester 2 Reporting
Reports
Despite the unusual circumstances we have encountered in Semester 2, Junior School reports will show grading in most subjects. There may be some subjects that we just could not assess and reports will reflect if this is the case. The report will include a comment although it may not be as detailed as in past semesters. The reports will be available electronically in Week 10.
World Teacher’ Day Last Friday
God of Love,
Thank you for every teacher who
notices a child’s special gift
listens and gently guides
expects much and loves enough to demand more.
Thank you for the special teacher each one of us remembers.
Take care and keep safe
David Kelly
Assistant Principal – Junior School