Department Junior Disco

There were stunning costumes, spectacular lighting and showstopping dance moves, when an excited group of Year 2–3 students took part in the Junior Department Disco, with the magical theme, Under the Sea.

The event was organised by the Connections Committee, a dedicated team of six prefects led by Emily Keith and Annika MacDonald (both Year 13), supported by Head of Junior Syndicate, Heather Orman. The goal of the Connections Committee is to foster greater connections among all year groups at St Andrew's College, and almost half the entire prefect cohort supported the event, arriving in their official prefects’ uniforms to transform the Junior Department into an underwater paradise with stunning decorations, and engage with the junior students during the fun evening. “The prefects were happy to come and help. We can all remember the excitement of school discos when we were little. It was so cute how the girls liked having matching dresses which of course, is our worst nightmare for the Senior Formal,” says Annika MacDonald.

The children enjoyed forming different groups and showcasing their dance moves, with the prefects joining in the fun by performing the Macarena

Emily Keith says five Year 8 prefects, Lila Cook, Rebecca Buist, Maja Clark, Alexa Collis and Eva Crawford, did a wonderful job helping with face painting, and proved particularly

‘bendy’ during the limbo dance. “We really enjoyed organising the event and had just as much fun as the younger children. The $840 funds raised on the night went to KidsCan, which was a way for us to highlight to the junior children how giving back to the community is such an important thing at St Andrew’s.”

Head of Junior Syndicate, Heather Orman, says the children loved the well-organised event, which had music specially selected for them by the prefects. “A highlight was the connection with the prefects, who definitely inspired the Year 2–3 children with their leadership. It was lovely to see our students having fun at a wonderful community event with parents and caregivers again, after the disruptions of COVID-19. It was a memorable and meaningful evening for all.”

During Term 1, the students delved into large amounts of research before coming up with their own project ideas, says Year 6 teacher, Lori Haisty. “The students could do anything they wanted, as long as it helped to spread awareness about the impacts of plastic pollution in our world and community. Some students created posters and PowerPoint presentations, which they shared with the Year 4–5 classes and Junior Department. Others made songs and videos, and there were even small groups who made beeswax wraps, which takes the place of single use plastic in lunchboxes.”