From the Head of Junior School – 15 March 2019

The official opening of the new Year 5 and 6 Playground was a hit with the students. Our School Captains, Sophie and Micheal and our Vice Captains, Sophie and Allegria, collectively thanked the Parents’ and Friends’  Association for their work behind the scenes in 2014 to raise funds for the purchase of this excellent equipment. The history to this playground equipment is that it was originally at Berwick Grammar School for the Year 5 and 6 students. After it was decided that St Margaret’s Junior School returned to a campus for ELC to Year 6 students, the play equipment lay a little dormant at our Officer Campus. Apparently, Ms Carole Reed, our former Head of Junior School, was instrumental in ensuring the equipment came to the Berwick Campus so it would be better utilised. The original equipment was designed by the students of the day. We sincerely thank the Parents’ and Friends’ and also Mr Steve Ashman and our Operations team who assisted in the process of reinstalling the equipment. Our students in Year 5 and 6 were very excited to play on this equipment which is designed for older students and is much needed.

I do not think I need to convince anyone about the importance of PLAY for young children and especially for Upper Primary students.

A trend many educators and researchers have noticed over many years for some children is a regression from active to passive play, which quite often involves a couch and a screen. This continual erosion of child play has been replaced with structured activities and academic work. It is essential that children remain as children for as long as possible and engage in play, especially outdoors. Play not only supports emotional and social development but it develops: imagination, co-ordination, strength, curiosity, flexibility, enjoyment and resilience. So, the next time your child says, “I’m bored!” why not take them to your local playground, bike trail, or allow them to find things to do in your house where they can use their imaginations? I treasure memories of my two children on a rainy day either drawing, making and creating through Art, playing music or making a ‘cubbyhouse’ out of pillows, cushions, blankets etc.  We need to foster opportunities for our children to engage in play.

Student Representative Council
Congratulations to the following students who were recently elected to the important position of SRC Representatives for their year level. The SRC is a group that problem solves any queries or concerns raised by their fellow students or brings to life new and exciting ways to improve our Junior School. They bring their ‘ideas boxes’ to each meeting and share ideas their peers have that can improve the Junior School. I congratulate the children chosen by their peers and look forward to working with them in 2019.

Year 2: Niamh O and Kate D
Year 3: Lara G and Diaz M
Year 4: Kyle S and Maisy T
Year 5: Daisy W and Sandrine N
Year 6: School Vice Captains – Sophie A and Allegria T

Ms Louise Sayar
Head of Junior School