From the Head of Junior School

It has been an excellent start to Term 4 and I have been impressed by the attitude the students have returned to school with. It is evident they are working towards demonstrating accountability, cooperation and engagement in their learning consistently. I am sure there are going to be more students receiving Accountability – Cooperation – Engagement (ACE) merits at the end of this term when Semester 2 reports are released in Week 8!

Getting Outside to Play

In this first fortnight, I have loved seeing the Ealy Years, Prep, Reception and Year 4 students engaged in outdoor learning. The Year 4 students ventured to the School’s Finniss campus for a two night camp last week and our youngest students enjoyed a visit from Nature Play SA who, along with our Junior School staff, set up Magic Spring Festival in the Secret Garden here on the main campus.

Hearing some of our Year 4 students describe eating pipis, talk about walking barefoot on a beach and pitching a tent outside for first time is exactly why we take our learning off campus! Similarly, seeing students take risks as they jumped in muddy puddles, hauled carts of water and tractor tyres up and down the hill is what childhood memories are made of. As I welcomed boys on campus on Wednesday morning, I overheard Year 1 students talking with the Prep boys.

“Why are you in your welly boots? Is it mud day?” they asked. When the Prep boys replied ‘yes’, the Year 1 boys couldn’t contain their enthusiasm. “That was the best day ever. Just wait until you get dirty like you haven’t before”.

Children gain so much from being outdoors, experiencing the world has mental, social and physical benefits for children.

Service

It has been pleasing to see that our School values are not limited to the school term or within the walls of our School campus and to see students giving their time, giving service to our community. Service is so much more than raising and donating money. It is about action; about giving time to others. Thank you to Ms Andonas, Mrs Cole and the students involved in food preparation at Café Outside the Square during the holidays. Well done Austen, Evan and Oscar for giving your time too.

Service is also about raising awareness about matters of importance. An example of this is the Polished Man campaign where students and staff have been invited to paint a nail blue so when they are asked why they have a blue nail, they are able to tell people they believe no woman or child should live with violence. I have said to the boys that if you choose to paint one of your nails blue and be a ‘polished man’, make sure you are able to explain why you have nail polish on to anyone who asks. Be sure to read Mr Ben Storer’s article for more information.

Jasmine Taylor
Head of Junior School
jtaylor@stpeters.sa.edu.au

Important Dates for Term 4