Junior School

New Head of Junior School

The College is delighted to welcome Dr Michelle Cafini as the new Head of Junior School. Dr Cafini was appointed following the retirement of Mr John

Law. Since then she has fully embraced the life and operations of the Junior school and has been actively engaged in meeting and learning all about the girls, staff and parents. She is looking forward to sharing her insights from her experiences in other schools and a ‘fresh eyes’ approach. She took this opportunity to reflect on and celebrate those who have positively influenced her career to date.

Given that the theme of this edition of PLC in Print is ‘celebrations’ I thought it appropriate to acknowledge and celebrate two women who have had a significant influence on my career.

By the end of Year 4, I knew that I wanted to be a primary teacher. Mrs Tiddy, who was both my Prep and then Year 4 teacher, provided me with a strong foundation for learning. She was kind and gentle, with a great sense of humour. She created a safe, supportive classroom, where her students were encouraged to strive to achieve their best and learn from their mistakes. Her expectations were high for each student. She knew each of her students well and tailored learning experiences to meet their needs. She was a dedicated, passionate, life-long learner (she was quite old when she taught me!) At the age of 10, I knew this was the type of teacher that I wanted to be. After graduating from university, I went on to teach all primary year levels across the three education sectors in Victoria, predominately in independent schools. My passion for catering for the individual needs of students in my class led to me completing a Doctorate of Education, where my thesis focussed on supporting the needs of gifted students.

When I commenced my primary teaching career, I never considered that I would ever end up in a leadership role. Enter Irma Dymke, the first Principal for whom I worked. Within a few years of teaching, Irma set about fostering my leadership potential. She created opportunities for me to take on new roles, encouraged me to take risks to further my confidence and provided different mentors to assist me to develop a range of leadership skills. Irma was an outstanding role model who shaped my leadership journey which has seen me be a Head of Junior School at Newhaven College and Hillcrest Christian College, Deputy Principal at Eton House International School in Singapore, and Head of College at Rivercrest Christian College prior to commencing at PLC. I have relished opportunities to mentor new leaders throughout my career and to lead professional development sessions for teachers in curriculum development across the Asia-Pacific region.

There are so many wonderful, dedicated staff at PLC and the girls will encounter teachers throughout their journey who will motivate, inspire, challenge and believe in them just as I experienced. I feel very blessed to have had such a varied and rich career and am looking forward to this next chapter at PLC.

Dr Michelle Cafini Head of Junior School

Celebration

The start of 2021 has certainly provided us with many reasons to celebrate. It has been a joy to see the girls transition into the new school year with positive attitudes and big smiles.

Inviting parents to share in tea and coffee before the Parent Information Nights was a wonderful way to reconnect after a year of disruption. There was a buzz in the air as parents came together to greet old friends, meet new parents and get to know their classroom teacher for 2021.

We celebrated the start of the formal learning journey with our 65 new Preps and look forward to watching their journey throughout their years in the Junior School. Our Year 6 girls celebrated opportunities to develop their leadership skills and further their friendships through their Leadership Day, where they participated in a range of activities to challenge and extend their thinking about leadership. This culminated the following day in the Year 6 Investiture, where each Year 6 girl made a pledge to live out the values of our school and serve the school to the best of their ability with God’s help.

Since the commencement of the year, we have celebrated the opportunity to fully engage in many of the programs that were impacted last year, such as swimming, choir, interschool sports and co-curricular activities. The Year 4 girls relished every moment of their camp at Queenscliff.

We look forward to celebrating many events and activities throughout this year in the Junior School.

Dr Michelle Cafini Head of Junior School

Great minds think differently

There is so much to celebrate for any learner. ‘When we celebrate a strong learning process, we’re pointing to excellent collaboration among learners and educators to create a space and culture where meaningful learning can occur’ (Robin Pendoley, 2019).

Diversity in learning experiences has always been considered essential in the learning process. We are now delving deeper into the way individuals interact to produce great learning. Cognitive Diversity is a term that is now used broadly by tech companies. It has become one of the top priorities for companies around the world. So what does it mean and how do we experience it?

Cognitive diversity is celebrating people who have different ways of problem solving or processing information or might offer a different perspective because they think differently. It refers directly to how you collaborate to reach a solution. As stated in the Harvard Business Review (March 2017) ‘...the more diverse the teams in terms of age, ethnicity, and gender, the more creative and productive they are likely to be.’

Tackling new problems requires us to recognise what we know and what we need to find out. It requires a certain amount of curiosity, self assurance and risk taking. Working together means that each person brings their own set of experiences. If a team is too similar, they may reach a solution quickly but there may not be the questioning and interrogation that a team with more diversity might experience. Working in a more diverse team will require higher level skills in communication, problem solving, listening and critical thinking. Our girls need to experience problem solving situations where they are challenged by other girls’ perspectives. This can be uncomfortable, but to be a truly great problem solver the skill needs to be developed. As adults, we can also intentionally further develop this skill. Harvard Business Review (March 2017) suggests: ‘...when you face a new, uncertain, complex situation, and everyone agrees on what to do, find someone who disagrees and cherish them.’ It is easy to find agreeance with like-minded individuals but to seek out and recognise diverse opinions deepens the understanding of a problem and therefore makes way for a more rigorous solution.

Children solve problems every day: in the playground, in the classroom, with siblings and with friends. We want our daughters’ learning experiences to be as smooth for them as possible and it is sometimes hard to step back and allow them to wrestle with a problem or opinion, particularly when it involves working with others. It is far easier to step in and offer a quick solution. When learning requires increased levels of engagement, it becomes a more powerful learning experience. Fostering discussion of a range of topics and opinions with others enables us to have a much fuller ‘tool kit’ to draw upon when we are asked to justify an opinion or think in a new or different way. A level of resilience is required so that we can recover quickly from a difficult situation.

Through diverse learning experiences, we help our girls to work in teams that can effectively tackle problem solving and contribute to building a strong culture of innovation. Great minds really do think differently. Let’s celebrate that!

Junior School

Prue Petsinis Head of JS Learning Enhancement Department

Year 6 Investiture

The Investiture Assembly was an opportunity for our College community to witness the students in Year 6 receive their badges as the leaders of the Junior School for 2021. The assembly was memorable and a proud moment for everyone. We sang some excellent hymns, encouraged by an address from Dr Cafini before being presented with our Year 6 badges. It was a wonderful assembly and I felt proud and confident although slightly nervous too. It was great going onto the stage and shaking hands with our Principal, Mrs Penberthy, and being formally recognised as a Year 6 leader. The Year 6 girls will no doubt ensure they are good role models for the rest of the Junior School girls. This is undoubtedly the beginning of a great and busy year for the Year 6 girls and the entire PLC community. We certainly have much to celebrate in 2021!

Zoe 6C

Leadership Day

Leadership Day was about learning how to be a good leader through fun activities as well as listening to Dr Cafini’s speech on how to be a proper leader. On the day we did many exciting activities such as improving our listening skills with Mrs Lam, learning about the qualities of a leader with Mrs Blanch, exploring the power of teamwork with Ms Renton, and finding out how to properly collaborate with your teammates with Mr Newell and Miss Hicks. Through these interesting activities, we learnt many different things that will help us to prepare for our leadership roles.

In Mrs Lam’s activity, we had to describe a picture to a partner, and our partner had to try to draw the things we described as accurately as they could. The partner couldn’t know what the other person was describing or drawing. We all tried very hard and did our best, but we learnt that we have to be really exact in our descriptions and that we also had to listen properly and pay attention to each other. With Mrs Blanch, we were given a group of cards with leadership qualities and in a group we had to pick out the six we thought were most important. It was amazing to see all the different things that make up a leader. After some discussion, we finally agreed on the ones we thought most important. Ms Renton had us collaborate in groups of three to try to build the tallest tower made from spaghetti and marshmallows. We discussed strategies and then we started building. We all did very well and had lots of fun; the tallest tower was 84cm! We thought about the different roles that group members played. The final activity was all about collaborating together. We all had to imagine that we were stranded in the ocean and we had to try to get to the “land” to survive. To make the situation harder, two teams were competing to get the raft (which was just two mats) safely to the land first. We weren’t allowed to touch the “sea” or else we would be attacked by the sea creatures. There were different kinds of strategies and different outcomes from both teams and it was interesting to hear all the others ideas.

At the end of the day we had all had lots of fun and learnt lots of things. All the things we learnt on Leadership Day will help us become the best Year 6 leaders we can be.

Art

Students in Year 5 were invited to draw illustrations to promote their Year level’s Performing Arts event, ‘The Jungle Book’. Each class will perform the play over four consecutive evenings. Students learnt the importance of collaboration between the Art and Drama departments to produce promotional material as well as props and elements of the set that will be used for the plays.

During one Friday Art Club session, students drew pictures and used watercolours to make the illustrations come alive. Once they started, they couldn’t stop! Here’s a selection of art work from that Art Club session.

Congratulations to the artists for showing enthusiasm and creativity with this task.

Mrs Francesca Frederic Junior School Art Teacher

Adventures at Queenscliff for Year 4 Camp

On Wednesday 10 February the Year 4 girls travelled to Queenscliff on the Bellarine Peninsula to enjoy a marine environment camp. They had a fabulous time. The weather was glorious and the ocean sparkling for the whole three days. The girls enjoyed various activities in the water as well as completing a range of educational experiences in the local area. It was an important time for building friendships as well as developing a greater sense of independence. Here’s what some of the Year 4 girls had to say about their experience.

Student Recounts

After we had a tour of the campsite, we seated ourselves on the grass and ate lunch. I had croissants and some juicy cherries. When we had finished eating, the other students and I hoisted our luggage into our cabins and started unpacking things to get ready for the night. Next, we lined up in our classes and each class was assigned an activity to do for the afternoon. My class was assigned boogie boarding. This was my first time boogie boarding in the ocean. The teachers told me to lie flat on my board and as I did, a wave pushed me forward like a rocket. It was so exciting.

Fiona 4A

One of my favourite activities from camp would obviously be going to the Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre. Sea life is outstandingly interesting but touching them is absolutely awesome! In the touch tank, there were many unbelievable creatures. Sea stars, hermit crabs, squid eggs, shark eggs and so much more. Some of the animals in tanks you wouldn’t even think would be there, pufferfish, seahorses, flat heads and even a sea star sucking up pippies! I knew that the Discovery Centre would be an exciting time but we also talked about littering in the ocean. There was a mini museum in one of the rooms. Inside it, there were two big balls of litter and it reminded everyone to reuse what they can! Camp was a delightful time. I wish I could go and do all of the activities again! Maybe…. next year?

Mya 4C

Wow! I went to Buckley’s Cave at Point Lonsdale. In the area, I saw rock pools in the beautiful glimmering water.

Tiffany 4B

At this amazing place, we could see Neptune’s necklaces, limpets, cuttlefish bones and many kinds of shells. After exploring the terrific rockpools, we went to the pier and talked with some fisherman. I learnt so much about the intertidal zone at Point Lonsdale.

Celebrating Books

Books have wings. They are not always visible, but books have the power to take you out of your own life and take you on a journey. It may be a journey of adventure or it may be a journey of enlightenment. These journeys give the reader an insight into the lives of others, they help to improve their sense of connectedness to the wider community, increase their understanding of their own identity and help their ability to empathise with others. So at PLC Junior School, we celebrate books and all that they offer.

The girls in the PLC Junior School are constantly being encouraged to grab some wings and go on a journey with a fabulous book. Our 2021 Library captains, Anitaa (6D) and Louisa (6C) are great role models for just such adventures.

Anne Walsh Junior School Teacher Librarian

Anitaa (6D)

Louisa (6C)

Charlotte (3C)

‘When I read Nevermore, it’s like I flew away to a different land. I was in bed reading and then it was like I was in the story with Morrigan Crow.’ (the main character from the story Nevermore by J. Townsend)

Music Assemblies

Every Thursday, 500 pairs of eyes stare expectantly at the girls who present fantastic pieces on a variety of instruments at the Music Assemblies. Weekly, the chosen students from Year 1 to Year 6 play a prepared song for the rest of the Junior School.

On Thursday 11 February, eight Year 6 girls played a variety of music on five different types of instruments, followed by Instrumental Music teachers demonstrating woodwind instruments. It was led by Ms Gawler, who plays the oboe, Ms Morrison, who plays the bassoon and Ms Thompson, who plays the clarinet. These three Music teachers played a diverse range of compositions, such as Under the Sea, the Harry Potter theme song and a song from Peter and the Wolf. We were very lucky to have such talented teachers come down to the Junior School to play for us.

We look forward immensely to future Music Assemblies this year and celebrating the talents of our Junior School students.

Isabelle and Chloe Junior School Music Captains

Choirs Worth Celebrating!

Year 3/4 Choir

The glorious sound of music has filled our Assembly Hall and Music classrooms as 2021 began with the lifting of restrictions which enabled choral singing and woodwind instrument playing again.

The Year 3/4 Choir is working on a two-part piece titled, ‘Celebrate the Lord of Love’ in preparation for the upcoming Easter Service. Though the rehearsals are currently split between the two large cohorts, the Year 3 girls are excited to be part of a much bigger choir and look forward to combining with the Year 4 girls soon, when mass rehearsals will take place.

Though all of our choral performances this year are still tentative, we are just so grateful that we can still sing together! We hope to be able to showcase our performances publicly this year.

Vikki Chan Junior School Music Coordinator, Year 3/4 Choir Director

Year 2 Choir

It was with pure joy that the Year 2 girls were able to sing again and to experience their first ever Year 2 Choir rehearsal at PLC. There was a buzz in the air as the girls sang enthusiastically together. They have already developed a beautiful group dynamic and a lovely vocal tone. The girls will explore many different genres of music this year through our songs and are so excited to be able to hit the stage again with fervor. The Easter service will be our first public performance where we will sing ‘Hosanna in the Highest’. We are very fortunate to have the very talented Mrs Erica Wright as our accompanist for the year. We are all very excited and grateful to be singing together and can’t wait to share our songs with the school community. “Singing connects the mind to the heart and the heart to the soul. So sing. I dare you!” N. D. Walsch.

Jane Summers Year 2 Choir Director, Junior Primary Music Teacher

Year 5/6 Choir

I echo the sentiments of my colleagues by adding how joyful it was to hear the sound of voices singing live again. The choir is preparing ‘Jesus, what a beautiful name’ for the Easter Service and already creating a lovely sound and having fun along the way. While the rehearsals will typically be split, with only one year level rehearsing at a time, we were lucky enough to have the full complement singing together at our first gathering. Blessed once again with the piano skills of Ms Yeo accompanying the choir, we look forward to our many performances throughout the year.

Ben Hudson Year 5/6 Choir Director, Head of Choral Studies