It is difficult to believe that we are at the end of Week 4 already. The beginning of the school year is such a busy time with new students, different classes, checking student data from the previous year, new staff settling into all the processes for GCC, standardised testing for reading age and spelling age, ACER testing for new students and the list goes on. In fact these are only a few of the important things done at the beginning of any year. However, we are now settled into the routines for the 2016 school year and we are confident that it will be another great one with the various activities which are specific to our College.
To see the new Preppies walking to the library or to specialist lessons it is hard to comprehend that they have only been at school for 18 days. Even at the Whole School Dedication Assembly last week these Prep students were able to sit and participate very well.
The opening of N Block, our first Primary building, will be on 8 March and the Year 1 and 2 students will be special guests at this important ceremony.
Our elected Primary Leaders for 2016 have almost been finalised and we will be having our Induction Assembly on 18 March. It is so wonderful to see how the Year 6 students as potential Primary Leaders have risen to the challenge of serving the College by volunteering for the numerous jobs in the breaks. Teachers are very appreciative, as the assistance from these Year 6 students helps provide so many opportunities for younger students. On any one day they are in the Prep helping little ones to open their yoghurt, navigate their straw into the tiny hole in the tetra pack fruit juice, or pushing young children on the swing during play time. In other parts of the College they will be putting out sand toys, refereeing soccer matches or assisting in the library.
But perhaps the most exciting job for them is helping with our new additions this year, the bikes, trikes and cars, which the Year 1 and Year 2 students are able to use in the OLA. Oh what fun this is!
Please remember to allow your child to bring their bike helmet on the day designated for their class. As one child excitedly told someone in the office, after his class was rostered to use the bikes and cars one day last week, “Today was the BEST day of my WHOLE life!”
Thank you to all the parents who came to the Meet the Teacher evening last week. Mrs Mitchell and I enjoyed spending a little time in the class presentations for each year level and we are sure that you will now be more informed about how to assist your children throughout the year. We value these strong partnerships between home and the College. Thank you for your support.
Last week’s swimming carnival was such an enjoyable day. We are always so thrilled with the number of parents and family members who support days like this and would particularly like to thank parents who assisted by taking a job for the day. We couldn’t run these carnivals with staff only. Great swimming during the day saw some long standing records broken convincingly. Congratulations to those students who broke swimming records! For photos of the day click here.
Cheryl Bryers, Head of Primary