4 minute read
Junior School
THE GIFTS IN ME.
In this inaugural year of sub schools, the Junior School, Years 7 and 8 came together as one. Through the theme of ‘The Gifts in Me’ the Junior School explored many positive aspects of themselves and how they can use them to face challenges and become resilient. These gifts were celebrated further through various activities throughout the year. The incoming Year 7 students faced the challenges of commencing secondary school with excitement, confidence and positivity. They supported each other to form new friendships and developed a real sense of House spirit and belonging to the Ave Maria College community. Camp Marysville was a highlight of the year. The girls actively participated in all activities and encouraged and supported one another to try something new. It was wonderful to see them having fun participating in Bike Riding and Canoeing amongst many other activities. The Year 7 cohort developed a strong connection to their Year 11 Peer Support Leaders on Camp. The evening activities of a Camp Fire and a Talent Show saw students from the two Year Levels bond with one another and their knowledge of the Marysville community was enhanced by two special guests who informed them of the Black Saturday Bushfires. The Year 8 students continued their secondary schooling with enthusiasm and a positive mindset tackling the challenges of a more complex curriculum with determination and resilience. They have participated eagerly in many excursions and Co-curricular activities showing their willingness to extend themselves and take on board all the College has to offer. The Junior School Wellbeing days encouraged students to consider their gifts and respect the gifts in others. The students were engaged in several presentations. Project Rockit, empowering students to build strong relationships and navigate the risks and rewards of challenging online behaviour. They participated in a Respectful Relationship session to develop a creative and critical mind and build strategies to enhance their relationships with others. Students also showed their creative side in the Art Therapy session designed as a method to help with relaxation. Students individually personalised their sketch art and mindfulness Mandela with positive affirmations. The Year 7 students having been immersed in the world of our sister school, St Maria Mazzarello, in Venilale, responded to their need to practice written English by corresponding via letters. The Year 8 community came together, on their Wellbeing day, to listen to a presentation by Melissa Tracina, 2007 Ave alumni who shared her journey into her current career as a commercial radio announcer. Melissa’s message to the Year 8 cohort was, “to make the most of every opportunity because you never know where it might lead you”. For the first time as a Junior School, the students came together to share in special activities which included the Special Persons Mass, Junior DAV Debating, Student Leadership meetings and Faith Formation Days just to name a few. Students further developed their faith and commitment to social justice by contributing to Samaritans Purse, Operation Christmas Child. Students filled over 200 shoeboxes with essentials and gifts for children in developing countries. Students further supported social justice by raising awareness and providing financial support for the work of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre through several bake sales. The Junior School Year Level Captains, Faith and Social Justice Leaders, Academic Captains, Environmental Ambassadors and Mentor Ambassadors have led amicably and have displayed respect, compassion and a strong sense of working together as a team. They are developing into young women who are passionate, curious and inquisitive. They have inspired their peers and teachers with their confident voice and positive attributes. They have shown their inner gifts and helped others to recognise their special gifts. It was a pleasure overseeing this amazing group of girls. I wish the Year 8 students all the best as they embrace Middle School and l look forward to working with all Year 7 students as they step up to meet the challenges of the coming year.
Joanne Thompson JUNIOR SCHOOL LEADER
YEAR LEVEL AMBASSADORS
7A – Lauren Hadeed 7B – Ava Newman 7C – Ciaan Holmes 7D – Clara El-Khoury 7E – Sophia Rao Huygen 8E – Milana Buscema 8F – Ruby Gojevic 8A – Alana Centofanti 8B – Erin Crowden 8C – Chloe Huygen 8D – Estella De Bolfo
ENVIRONMENT AMBASSADORS
Georgi Hinton 7A Isabella Ewing 7C Emma Keenan 8C Abinaya Arunan 8C
