Head of Campus Update – 25 October 2018

Starting school is about learning new things and making new friends so it’s important that our 2019 Prep children experience a positive and happy start to school. Our Prep Transition Program is carefully designed to ensure that each child becomes more familiar within their new learning environment and feel comfortable about being a Prep student in ‘big school’. To date we have 35 eager young children enrolled for Prep next year and they have recently have enjoyed an art lesson in the Art room, an outdoors activities lesson with the PE teacher, time together in the prep classrooms and playing outside on the play equipment. Ms Melissa Graham and I have enjoyed meeting with their parents and sharing relevant information about starting school and day to day school life. We value the partnership between home and school and recognise that learning is a shared responsibility. Our next transition day will be on Thursday 1 November from 8.45-10.15am where the children will spend time with their 2019 teacher and classmates.

The students in Year 3 and 4 are having a wonderful time at Coonawarra Farm Resort this week. The weather is perfect for having fun together outdoors in the bush setting and enjoying the thrills of the giant swing, collaboration of hut building, excitement of the flying fox and the challenge of canoeing and raft building. Our Outdoor Education program starts in Year 3 and for many students it is the first time away from home without family. School camps are a great way for the students to build relationships and develop independence and resilience knowing they have strong support and encouragement from their teachers and classmates.  A big thank you to Mr Darren Lay, Mrs Jennie Cockburn, Miss Kate Flood, Mr Brodie Wallace, Mr Andrew Hibbins, Mrs Jo Cardullo and Miss Mara Whatmough for attending the camp and caring for the students during their time away. A special thank you to the Year 10 mentors Tahlia Lane, Tara Matheson, Eliza McDonell, Mia Burridge, Nick Hoghton, Tristyn Mann, Rhegan McEwen and Daniel Peart for their participation and help. The camp probably brought back fond memories of their first camp in Junior School.

A reminder that our Grandparents/Special Friends morning in the Junior School will be held on Friday 2 November. This has become a popular event for our children who enjoy sharing their learning with their family and friends in their classroom. Once again the Scholastic Book Fair has been organised so that families can visit and maybe buy a special book to share together to enrich reading and learning. After an engaging morning in the classrooms and a visit to the Book Fair, the morning will conclude with an assembly in the auditorium for all students and visitors. This will be followed by morning tea in the auditorium at which time the children will return to their classrooms. It’s always a pleasure to welcome out grandparents and special friends to Junior School and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone next Friday morning.

Ms Carole Reed
Head of St Margaret’s Junior School