Year 6 What a wonderful thing it is to be in Year 6 at St Cuthbert’s. Aged 9 and 10, these girls are in their last year of Junior School and have an infectious love for their school. The students are really becoming their own person at this age, having accumulated knowledge and skills, knowing what it is to be a Junior School girl at St Cuthbert’s, and enjoying being surrounded by so many friends and familiar faces. Year 6 has three dedicated homeroom teachers – Ms Shelley Ireton, Mrs Stacey Pinique and Miss Jacqui Tyler, and their pride in their students is evident. Mrs Pinique has taught at St Cuthbert’s for 13 years. She started as a Year 7 and 8 teacher, returning as a part-time Year 5 and 6 Science teacher following her maternity leave, and has been a Year 6 teacher since. Mrs Pinique reflects, “I’ve always loved teaching the biggest girls in the Junior School. I love helping them to navigate who they are, their pathways forward, and helping them to get ready for the Senior School. We put a lot into developing their self-management work habits so that they can transition confidently into Year 7. I’m so proud of the way the girls at this age become open to others’ ideas, can handle friendships, and think about inviting others into their group. Suddenly there is a sense they are starting to grow up, especially when I see them taking personal responsibility for their things, with less reliance on teachers and family. I still have visits from the now Senior girls I used to teach. Sometimes it’s to borrow craft supplies or for a cuddle and a chat for reassurance. I just love the way they check in!”
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Girls are fortunate to have the teaching expertise of Ms Ireton, who is one of St Cuthbert’s longest serving members of staff having taught here for 32 years. She too has taught the older Junior School years, as well as 20 years in Year 7. Ms Ireton naturally gravitates towards guiding the older Junior girls as they step up into the Senior School. She says, “I take great pride watching the Year 6 girls mature over the course of the year and seeing them step up into Senior School as independent, organised, motivated and self-sufficient learners. A delight of teaching at St Cuthbert’s are the visits from the Senior girls as well as reconnecting with Old Girls who now have daughters coming through the school.” Miss Tyler has taught at St Cuthbert’s Year 6 level for two years now, prior to that at a Year 4 level, and she says she’s enjoying the step up from the younger years. She says, “It’s just lovely seeing the girls becoming leaders at this year level and so special to see them achieving personal connections, with a more sophisticated empathy toward each other. I see them demonstrate thoughtfulness every day which is wonderful to help them foster and be around." The three homeroom teachers work collaboratively which benefits the girls not only with their learning but also in exploring wider friendship opportunities, all aimed with creating a broader circle of friends for when they enter Year 7. The camp was chosen specifically for the start of the school year, building on the Year 6 Leadership
