From the Head of Junior School: Jasmine Taylor

We have only been back at School for two short weeks and so much learning has taken place already! Our boys in Reception through to Year 2 have been involved in the Act for kids program ‘Learn to be safe with Emmy and friends’, which supports our teachers’ discussion around protective behaviours. The Year 2 students have enjoyed an incursion with the Australian Museum of Childhood, inquiring into how toys have changed in response to needs and interests over time. Last week, we hosted a coeducation experience for Year 5 and 6 students from St Peter’s Girls School where the students were engaged in a range of activities including a STEM challenge and Mind Lab games.

It was wonderful to have parents in attendance at our Screen Time for iPad, Family Technology Agreements, and Year 6 Human Systems Parent workshops this week. The School’s partnership with parents is so important in the boys’ educational journey and we appreciate being able to connect in these workshop forums.

Anzac Day has been marked in various ways across the Junior School over the last two weeks. We had students playing the ‘Last Post’ on their musical instruments in their driveways at dawn on Sunday (see Caleb Chen from Year 1 in the photos below). Teachers read the picture book, ‘Anzac Ted’ written by Belinda Landsberry, to the students to introduce the Anzac story and the importance of remembrance. As a result, a group of Year 5 students baked, packaged and sold Anzac biscuits to raise money for Legacy; an organisation that supports veteran’s families. I congratulate the boys for carrying out one of our school values of Service through this endeavour. We look forward to inviting a representative from Legacy to receive the monies raised by the boys through their biscuit sales.

We were sad to see both Lisa Michelon, Assistant to the Head of Junior School, and Ms Maryann Moore, Year 6 Teacher and Head of House Stokes-Ware, leave us to pursue new career endeavours. We wish them all the best.

I am delighted to announce that Mrs Hayley Burgess has been appointed to the role of Senior Administration Co-ordinator for the Junior School. Many of you will know Hayley, who has worked at St Peter’s College at our front Reception, supporting students, parents, the Junior School Friends of Saints and staff, for the past 13 years. We are currently in the process of recruiting an Administration Assistant to replace Hayley. We welcome Ms Lucinda Wilson to our teaching faculty teaching Year 6 students. I would also like to congratulate Mrs Bethany James on her appointment as Stokes-Ware Head of House for the remainder of the year.

Dates for the Diary:
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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