From the Head of Junior School: Jasmine Taylor

International Women’s Day
In the month of International Women’s Day, we paid tribute to this significant day by inviting Mrs Fiona Dorman, President of the National Council of Women SA, to speak in our Years 3 to 6 Assembly last Friday. Mrs Dorman is a scientist by training and a mother of three boys. She has worked in community radio and has been an Asian Women’s Consultative Council Member. She is also currently a member of the Torrens University Human Research Ethics committee. Mrs Dorman spoke about the work of the National Council of Women and its focus on finding ways to improve the status and outcomes for women and therefore their families and children.

Our Year 6 Students were fortunate to hear Bec Ordish, Executive Director and Founder of the Mitrataa foundation and author of 50 Women From Nepal Who Will Change The Way You See The World, speak on Monday.

Having heard Fiona and Bec speak this past week, I reflect on the fact we live in a community where we see women surgeons, lawyers, paramedics and pilots. We know women who earn as much, if not more, than men we know. We see women in leadership and women with freedom. Despite this progress, women and girls continue to experience inequality is certain areas of their lives and it is important to bring our boys into the conversation about advancing the status of women in these areas. We need our boys to ‘be important and compassionate leaders, using their positions of privilege to create platforms for change’ (Bec Ordish).

Movie Night
Given just over a year ago a pandemic forced the cancellation of our Junior School Movie Night and Fun Fair, it was inconceivable to think unseasonal weather would get in the way of our community coming together on Saturday night! I would like to thank the Junior School Friends of Saints committee members for the hours of planning and preparation that they put into the event. Without this group of volunteers, who are focused on building friendship in our community, we wouldn’t be able to host such a fantastic event on our magnificent grounds. Thank you to our parent volunteers, the boarders and Year 10 service students for helping at the stalls and to the facilities and maintenance team for helping with logistics. Thank you to all who were able to attend and share in the spirit of our exceptional community.

Parent teacher interviews
It was wonderful to welcome parents onto the campus to meet for parent teacher interviews this week. Similarly having the opportunity for our staff to connect with parents via Zoom has been extremely valuable. In view of sustained improvement we are constantly reflecting upon and refining our practices and processes. Please click here to provide feedback on the parent teacher interviews you attended this week.

Drop off and pick up
Thank you for following the drop off and pick up routines. A reminder that staff are ready to welcome students in classrooms from 8:15am. Parents are not to leave their cars when using the following drop off zones:

– Sports Centre/Uniform Shop car park
– The Avenues
– Junior School car park
Junior School staff will help students make their way to their classrooms.

To avoid congestion at the main entrances, students will continue to use external doors to enter their classrooms. Reception students should enter via the Junior Primary courtyard, Year 4s should enter Bickersteth via the western entrance and Year 5s should enter Bickersteth using the eastern staircase.

A friendly reminder to utilise the drop off zones to minimise congestion in the Junior School car park. We would rather our Years 3 to 6 students wait in the bus shelters for you, rather than you waiting in a queue of cars.

Winter uniform
Boys will be expected to wear full winter uniform in Terms 2 and 3. Students in Years 3 to 6 are required to wear their blazer to and from school. Click here to view the uniform handbook.

Dates for the Diary:
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Please remember my door is always open and I always welcome your feedback and questions. I also enjoy sharing highlights of the school day on my personal Twitter account that you can follow here.

Jasmine Taylor
Head of Junior School