From the Assistant Dean of Junior School (Wellbeing) & the Early Childhood Coordinator

From the Assistant Dean of Junior School (WELLBEING)

Reflecting upon the year that has been in the Junior School, the lens sharpens upon the ever-increasing independence and agency that our students are taking in relation to their wellbeing. Setting the standard, an enthusiastic and passionate group of Year 6 students initiated our inaugural Wellbeing Committee, sharing ideas and tips on how to embed structures in our day-to-day routines to help us look after our mental health and sense of self. Later these students, along with their fellow student leaders, worked hard with the support of Mr Eugene Wong to create a student-led and run Wellbeing Day. From mindfulness activities and gratitude cards to bubble wands, lunch time music and silent discos, the students ensured that the focus of the day was on being in the moment and appreciating all we should be grateful for. The timetable adjustment trialled this past year also provided a consistent and dedicated time for students to gather and settle after lunch; to either come together in circle time and as a class community unpack the events of the day, or to have routine time to practice mindfulness. Impressively, these mindfulness sessions were often run and led by students, either from their own class or by older students coming down and assisting. The time also allowed staff to take a moment and actively participate in these sessions with their class. While the timetable will next year revert to the 2020 model, the opportunity presented in 2021 will no doubt continue to include this time as a part of our daily routine in the future. I look forward to continued growth and stewardship of our students, from all year groups, in leading and taking ownership of their own wellbeing and mental health. Pleasingly, I know the leadership and support of our current Year 6 students will continue, thanks to the porous borders between the Junior School and Senior School.

Mr Nicholas Christie Assistant Dean of Junior School (Wellbeing)

From the Early Childhood Coordinator

The Early Childhood Centre (ECC) has been very ‘capabilities’ focused’ in 2021, with staff and students going on a journey of discovery: taking risks, problem solving, and collaborating to extend and hone their inquiry pedagogy and practice. Through this, they have gained much insight into a wide range of topics, including space, plants, spreading kindness, volcanoes, and biodiversity. There has also been much wondering and hypothesising about birds, changing colours and the effects of rain on the landscape. Our staff, both teachers and education assistants, have demonstrated resilience as new understanding and perspectives have been developed by engaging with the College’s Reconciliation Action Plan development and becoming recognised Apple Teachers using iPads. They have generously shared their knowledge, passion, professionalism, time and experience with student teachers in every year level this year, and who have greatly enriched our learning environments with their enthusiasm and new learning insights. Professional learning is a passion for our staff which has led us to connect with university research projects in measuring growth of capabilities, place-based literacies and gifted and talented student identification. Our students are able to focus their learning in many diverse areas of interest, including bush school cubby building, artwork, photography, birdwatching (especially the owls, chickens and galahs resident in the kindergarten tress) and exploring. Our Year 1 students have responded by finding out how to spread kindness to respond to times of sadness. The Year 2 children took control of the content creation and script of the Early Childhood Reflections and demonstrated incredible resilience through their Bush School Camp in the pouring rain. Our Year 1 students also became acquainted with Gabiljee - the Noongar name for Bull Creek – the watery place at the end of the river. It has been a tremendous year of growth in our centre as we stop to reflect and celebrate the richness the rains have brought us, with deep learning from life and for life. We have grown stronger and more connected with one another as we bring ourselves together as a warm, vibrant learning community. Thank you for all our learning this year in the ECC. Sara Mano Early Childhood Coordinator

JUNIOR SCHOOL STUDENT LEADERS

BACK ROW: Nishaan Sunner, Mini Li, Callum Johnston, Tyson Monie, Holly Walker, Grace Shackleton MIDDLE ROW: Caleb Carruthers, Sam Vallabhaneni, Annabella Tan, Ms Penelope Crane, Eva Chi, Sienna Nanni, Diyon Etampawala FRONT ROW: Connor Gee, Sam Sibly, Leticia Avery, Chloe Kent, Sarah David, Sophie Brown, Sam Lowe, Ali Zakareia

JUNIOR SCHOOL HOUSE CAPTAINS

BACK ROW: Sarah David, Leticia Avery, Eva Chi, Mr Eugene Wong, Tyson Monie, Sophie Brown, Caleb Carruthers FRONT ROW: Connor Gee, Diyon Etampawala, Sienna Nanni, Annabella Tan, Sam Lowe, Ali Zakareia

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS 2021 (YEAR 5)

LEFT TO RIGHT: Ella Hudson-Still, Tyela YeohEllerton, Anya Ray, Kai Gleadell, Nyah Quin, Olivia Renton ABSENT: Bernice Chong