From the Head of the Junior School
Dear Parents and Friends of the Junior School,
We are very proud of the boys and how much they have grown this semester, a result of their enthusiasm, application, independence, resilience, good guidance, and support from home. The boys have demonstrated learning in the classroom, other learning environments, in their character and in their relationships. Semester reports capture and detail this growth and were made available this week. Teaching staff and your son put a great deal of effort into ensuring that each report does justice to his achievement and his application of various approaches to learning throughout the semester. If there are any points of clarification, feel free to address these to the relevant teacher at the commencement of Semester 2. Please discuss your son’s report with him and note his own voice in his self-reflections which can be the basis for setting goals for the second half of the year. I congratulate all of the boys on their growth and thank the teaching and support staff for their commitment to enabling the development of every boy.
Mr Hassall will be taking well-earned Long Service Leave for the duration of Term 3. In his absence, the Head Master has invited Mrs Ormes to step-up into the position of Acting Deputy Head of Junior School, and Mr Hoare to assume Mrs Ormes’ regular responsibilities as Acting Curriculum Coordinator, a role in which he will still work closely with Year 6. This is a similar arrangement to Term 3 last year although we have high hopes of actually being at school throughout next term! In order to facilitate these changes, Mr Larkin will again take on the role of 6H Class Teacher. In addition, Mr Cha will take over on 6J with the commencement of Mrs Harrison’s maternity leave and we look forward to news of the safe arrival of her son early in the term. We wish these teachers well in adjusted roles and Mr Hassall a well-deserved chance to be refreshed after many years of service to the boys and staff of the School.
Twenty-four Junior School boys will spill off the bus early this evening along with thirteen from the Preparatory School after successfully touring the North Coast. The boys have given a great account of themselves on and off the field and by all reports have been terrific ambassadors and travel companions. More details and some photos are in Mr Robinson’s article.
We have been the recipients of some lovely generosity towards the Junior School in the final days of term. Thank you to the Felekos family for providing cupcakes for boys and staff today as an end-of-term treat. They were much enjoyed. We are also indebted to Mrs Deborah Xuereb, long-time Executive Assistant to the Headmaster and friend of the Junior School who has provided much-needed storage for Green Patch by way of a magnificent shed that will protect the tools, seeds and produce. The boys of 5C helped to officially open ‘Shed-X’ on Thursday. Thank you, Mrs Xuereb!
Interest in co-curricular activities has again been very strong. Portal access to the allocation of places for Term 3 activities has been made available today. Boys have usually been allocated their first as well as some of their other selections. Most activities commence in Week 2 although administrators of some sporting activities will be in touch if their activity is to start in Week 1. Please contact the activity organiser to clarify particular details if necessary. If changes to enrolment need to be made, please contact the Junior School Office at the start of term.
We are looking forward to hosting fathers on-campus early next term for our Year 5 and 6 Father & Son Breakfast on Friday 29 July. Having not been able to host this event for a while, we are using the opportunity to trial a more casual format than the traditional sit-down breakfast. Bacon-egg rolls, coffee and hot chocolate with the chance to mingle with other boys and fathers will be our informal format for the morning. Please book via this link. We hope to see many fathers in attendance.
We have worked hard this term to ensure boys understand expectations for winter and sport uniforms. Parents are asked to ensure that all matters of uniform are attended to prior to the first day of term. Some aspects such as hairdressing and dry-cleaning require parent assistance. If any items need updating or replacing, now is a great time to do so.
Term 3 begins for students on Wednesday 20 July after Staff Development Days on Monday and Tuesday. I wish all our Trinity Junior School students and families a safe and refreshing break. Vacation Care is available at Strathfield across the holidays and can be booked through OSHClub.
Mark Dunn | Head of the Junior School
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34
