From the Head of the Junior School
Dear Parents and Friends of the Junior School,
I welcome all students and their families back for our final term of this school year. Term 4 is always full and the particularly short nature of the term will accentuate the sense of busy-ness. Please stay abreast of activities via class messages and the weekly updates in this newsletter. Below I have highlighted some significant events whose dates have been adjusted since the printing of the Record Book.
We welcome back Mr Hassall this week, allowing Mr Hoare to return to 6H. In other staffing adjustments, Mr Larkin will be taking care of 3N during Mr Niulala’s period of leave. Miss Stokes will continue to assist Mrs Richards with 2R, and both also share the role of Visual Arts teacher for the first five weeks, whilst Mrs Nikolov completes a practicum associated with her tertiary studies. Miss Gratton has commenced her maternity leave and we look forward to exciting news in coming weeks. Mrs Bowden has picked up Miss Gratton’s Library classes.
In one further update to information distributed last term, the final total of all Walk-a-thon tickets/donations is $16353 and the clear winner of the class prize for highest funds raised is 3N. Thank you to all who generously supported this cause, allowing the Auxiliary and NSW Wheelchair Sports to continue their good work. Well done, 3N, who will now enjoy a pizza lunch next Friday.
I draw to the attention of parents in Years 5 and 6 an opportunity next Wednesday evening to attend a parents-only session with Brad Marshall entitled ‘The Tech Diet – Managing Healthy Screen Time’. Brad Marshall, the Director of the Screen and Gaming Disorder Clinic, is recognised as one of Australia’s leading experts in excessive internet use or ‘Internet Addiction’ and has helped hundreds of families struggling with internet, screen and gaming addiction. Screen time and gaming boundaries are areas of frequent concern expressed by parents and are often a significant aspect of student issues that we resolve in partnership with parents. Parents in attendance will learn practical and concrete strategies to manage and maintain your children’s technology diet. The evening will be in the James Wilson Hogg Assembly Hall commencing at 6pm. The event is free but will require registration using this link.
The Year 5 students had the opportunity yesterday to attend a short information session about our proposed Cape York Tour for students in Year 6 in April 2023. Most were transfixed by the images of the places and communities that we will be visiting. It is quite possible that your son has now expressed interest in this opportunity about which you received information at the end of last term. I remind Year 5 parents that a Parent and Son Information Session about the tour will be held on Tuesday 25th October, commencing at 6pm at the Prep School campus in Strathfield. A representative from Red Earth will communicate specifics of the itinerary and other relevant information. All families interested in their son attending the tour are strongly encouraged to attend, as are interested boys. If your son would like to be considered for the tour and you will be attending the information session, please register interest via this link.
Next week, boys and parents in Year 6 and 5B will be conferencing with teachers to discuss growth across the year, and in the case of Year 6, progress towards Exhibition. Please ensure that you arrive punctually at the classroom for the scheduled conference as teachers have other commitments including numerous conferences to conduct. Remember that each conference is limited to 15 minutes. Boys attending should do so in uniform. Please allow extra time for parking as space in the carpark, especially at peak times is limited. You may wish to consider parking considerately and legally in nearby streets and entering campus on foot via the Chapel gate off Prospect Road.
Photographs of groups taken by Melba Studios throughout the year, including music, sporting teams, representatives, House, ISDA Debating, School Leaders and Officers are now available for purchase on-line at Melba Studios. Please click here . The password is triangle. Navigate via the ‘Prep and Junior 2022’ tile.
Please note the following significant dates for this term, which in some cases are different from those listed in the Record Book:
- Friday 28 October: K-2 Track & Field Carnival (9-10:30am)
- 31 October – 11 November: K-2 Swimming Programme
- 8 November: Year 5 Parent Motivation & Engagement Seminar
- 9 November: Evening of Music
- 10 November: Year 6 Student Social
- 11 & 18 November: Kindergarten 2023 Orientation Mornings
- 14 November: Year 6 PYP Exhibition
- 23-25 November: Year 5 Camp
- 25 November: New Student and Year 7 Orientation Day
- 28 November: Year 6 Parent & Son Dinner
- 30 November: Year 6 Valedictory Service
- 1 December: K-2 Christmas Service
- 2 December: Years 3-6 Prize Giving (at Sydney Town Hall)
All boys will next week bring home another issue of five RAHT tests to use as need arises. Parents are asked to look out for these in student bags.
The second half of the summer sport season commences tomorrow morning and, in a rarity for this year, the weather forecast is promising. All the best for a great round of games, boys, and remember to be ready at the ground 30 minutes before your game. Parents are reminded that most co-curricular afternoon activities commence next week – please ensure that your son is aware if he is to attend an activity as there is always a little confusion in the corridors and carpark for the first week.
Mark Dunn | Head of the Junior School
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”.
Jeremiah 29:11
