09 May 2025
It has been wonderful to welcome students back to school for the commencement of Term 2. Our Year 3 to 6 students represented the Junior School beautifully at the School’s Anzac service held on the first Tuesday. It was excellent to see students demonstrating respect in the way they participated and reflected on those who lost their lives serving – Pro Deo et Patria.
As the boys entered Memorial Hall for Assembly on Friday, they walked past hundreds of crosses placed in rows on the lawns. Each one of those crosses represented an old scholar or staff member who lost their life, serving our country.
The school community was so very sad about the lives that had been lost during the Great War, that they pulled together to build Memorial Hall. Although the foundation stone of Memorial Hall was laid in 1921, the photo below is a drawing of Mem Hall in 1925. I think it is incredible to think that this is what Memorial Hall looked like 100 years ago and wasn’t officially opened until September of 1929. There were a lot of jokes about how long it took to build this incredible memorial:
At Speech Day in 1924 Headmaster Bickersteth, reminded the community that ‘nothing worthwhile happens quickly, and called for patience’.
I think the time that it took to build Memorial Hall was indeed worthwhile. I also think Bickersteth’s message about ‘nothing worthwhile happening quickly’ is transferable to learning. Learning to read, takes time. So does waiting for seedlings to spout out of potting mix, learning to crochet and playing a musical instrument well, all call for patience. Learning how to tie a double Windsor knot also takes determination and time!
Congratulations to the boys who competed with the Headmaster at our Annual Double Windsor Knot Tying competition in Assembly, and to Mr Browning for winning! I encourage all students to continue practicing in the hope that we have students who can tie a tie at least as quickly as our Headmaster.
Jasmine Taylor
Deputy Headmaster – Head of Junior School
Upcoming Term 2 Events
| 6 May, 8.45am | Year 5 Camp departs | Finniss |
| 8 May, 12.00pm-3.00pm | Year 6 Excursion | Space Theatre |
| 9 May, 7.30am | Mother’s Day Breakfast | Big Quad |
| 9 May, 9.00am-12.00noon | SAPSASA Cross Country Event | Park 9 PAC Oval |
| 9 May, 3.00pm | Year 5 Camp Returns | Finniss |
| 10 May, 12.00pm – 4.00pm | Year 3 Family Event | Finniss |
| 12 May, 8.45-10.15am | NAP-ICTL Testing | Function Area |
| 13 May, 8.45am | Reception Coffee Morning | Function Area |
| 15 May, 9.30am-1.00pm | Year 3 Excursion | Central Markets |
| 16 May, 8.45am | 3-6 Assembly | Mem hall |
| 16 May, 2.30pm | P to Year 2 Assembly, hosted by 2M | JS Hall |
| 20 May, 8.45am-11.00am | House Cross Country – P to Year 6 | 8.45-11.00am |
| 24 May, 4.00-6.00pm | Year 6 Mother and Son Event – Hey Caddy | Hey Caddy – West Lakes |
