13 August 2020
Over the course of the year, my attention has been focussed on the way Mathematics is taught in the Junior School, addressing planning and observing all lessons from ELC to Year 6. Over the last couple of weeks, I have been working with Year 4 teachers and students, looking at ways to bring more hands-on manipulatives into the classroom to support conceptional understanding. It has been great to see how well our teachers and students are able to integrate technology and concrete Mathematics materials into their learning.
URSTRONG
This week all of our Junior School teachers were involved in the first part of a four part series of professional development based around the URSTRONG program. The aim of the program is to empower students with the language and skills to manage their friendships while providing teachers and parents with a common language to support them. Many of our teachers have already engaged in the training, but we can always do more to support students to develop healthy and respectful relationships. By using a common language across our community we will be better equipped to support our boys as they navigate friendships. We look forward to inviting you to a URSTRONG parent information session once our staff have completed the training. In the meantime, you can access the URSTRONG parent portal for further information and resources you can use to support your children.
Hutt Street Centre Walk a Mile Challenge
It was a very early morning for those of you who participated in the Hutt Street Centre Walk a Mile Challenge last week. Thank you to Mrs Barnes-Daysh for organising this event and raising awareness and funds for those experiencing homelessness. Our community raised over $4,000 for the Hutt Street Centre who has been supporting people experiencing homelessness for more than 65 years by providing a hearty meal, a hot shower, all in a safe, welcoming space.
Chamber Strings
The calibre of performance delivered by the Chamber Strings in Assembly last week was outstanding. The boys performed Stone Mountain Stomp and Gap of Dunloe at an exceptional level. I would like to acknowledge that this was the first opportunity that Mrs Sharon Morley, Strings Coordinator, has had to perform live with her students since joining St Peter’s College. We look forward to further string ensemble performances conducted by Mrs Morley in the future.
Student Leadership
It is wonderful to see such breadth in leadership opportunities across the Junior School.
Congratulations to the following boys who were presented with leadership positions for their sport or co-curricular activity in Memorial Hall at Assembly last Friday.
Chess Captain: Joshua Joshi
Debating Captain: Emerson Cooper
Football Captain: Alec Morfesi
Basketball Captain: Will Foreman
Hockey Captain: Alexander Lippett
Soccer Captain: Thinura Wagaarachchi
Further to these leadership roles, congratulations to all the boys who have selected to represent their classes as Student Representative Council members this semester.
Reception: Declan Larkin, Oliver Fergusson, Huey Williams, Oliver Cox
Year 1: Thomas Koch, Harrison Baker-Evans, Fred Bendyk, Maximilian Polikin, Leo Fabian, Oscar Ma
Year 2: Hugo Matthews, Roy (Hao Yu) Li, Asher Brittingham, Parker Rohrlach, Alexander Collum, and Nivaan Sardana
Year 3: Max Oberdan, Henry Ye, Jude Brooks, Feng Feng Li, Lohit Byka, Krishdev Grewal
Year 4: Harry Steele, Eric Yang, Benjamin Wng, Nirav Raghavan, Austen Spiers, Aadil Janjua,
Year 5: Krishn Arora, Charlie Gauvin, Peter Athanasiadis, Adi Baghel, Nicholas Miles, Fabian Johnson, Louis Bizot, Jerry Liu
Year 6: Glen Li, Taurus Johnson, Oliver Maung, Jack Grosser, Noah Ibrahim, Alex Lippett, Steven Dinh, Oliver Andropov
We also acknowledge and congratulate our Year 2 Leaders who are taking an increasingly active role in promoting sustainability in Palm House. They received their badges in the Junior Primary Assembly in the Junior School Hall last Friday afternoon.
2J: Vincent Farnsworth, Tom Meyer
2C: Ashley Karunartna, Sebastian Van Niekerk
2I: Elijah Lee, Nathan Ooi
The boys should wear their badge proudly and have a responsibility to speak up for all students at St Peter’s College, not just your best friends or those that are in your class, but for everyone in our exceptional community. Similarly, for our Sports, Debating and Chess Captains, they have the responsibility of leading by example, even when you are off the soccer pitch, the oval, or away from competing in chess or debating.
Car Park Drop off and Pick Up: Arrangements to continue
Thank you for continuing to help us promote physical distancing during drop off and pick up. Please continue to follow the procedures previously outlined in our Term 2 arrangements email.
Dates for the Diary
Saturday 15 August: Beyond Blue sports round
Monday 17 August: Year 2 Parent Coffee Morning – Fine & Fettle Café
Thursday 20 August: Year 6 Stop Bullies training sessions
Friday 21 August: ELC classes to Dunstan Playhouse
Friday 21 August: Year 1 parents’ brunch – Black Dog Gallery, Tusmore
Every Wednesday: Wipe Out Waste Wednesday. Please aim to minimise disposable packaging all the time but let’s make and extra effort on Wednesdays.
Please remember that my door is always open and that I always welcome your feedback and questions.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Jasmine Taylor
Head of Junior School