JUNIOR SCHOOL 8870 1888 FAX; 8870 1899
ISSUE NO 9, TUESDAY 25 MAY 2010
Junior School Years 3-6 Cabaret Concert, Thurs 6 June 7.00pm
Southwood Junior School Newsletter GRANDPARENTS MORNING Two weeks ago we had the special opportunity of sharing breakfast with our ‘mums’...yesterday, it was another special occasion, this time our annual Grandparents Morning. For our 130 guests it was a chance to compare schooling today with that of ‘the old school days’. A wonderful booklet filled with our Grandparents memories of their schooling was presented to each visitor, whilst each year level presented a special item in our morning assembly. Perhaps the highlights are always the faces of our youngest boys when they see ‘Nanna and Papa” enter their classrooms in the morning. I trust that the morning was as enjoyable for our guests as it was for our boys and us as a staff. I would ask that you please pass on my thanks to those who attended, and remind them that the assembly can be viewed by logging on to Studywiz at www.studywiz.tintern.vic.edu.au then doing the following; Click on -Junior Login; Username – grandparent, Password- southwood; Click on -Southwood Junior School Click on -Grandparents Morning Assembly 24 May 2010.
SHACKLETON PART TWO In Assembly we have continued to discuss the leadership of Ernest Shackleton. I related to the boys his principles of leadership, which include “Be a Role Model – set a personal example’. When Shackleton’s crew had to leave The Endurance and camp on an ice flow, camp on an ice flow, he would rise early and serve them Hot Chocolate. When there was only a limited supply of warm ‘reindeer skin’ sleeping bags, Shackleton took a thinner woollen bag for himself and then proceeded to put the rest of the crew in a lottery for the reindeer bags. He believed that it was important to “Take risks-Never Give Up” and this was displayed in the epic journey that he and his crew undertook. Most importantly, he believed that leaders should “Set and maintain an optimistic tone-but be realistic”. One of Shackleton's greatest strengths was his ability to build an unwavering sense of self-confidence in his men--they came to believe that they could overcome any obstacle. He never offered a position to his men other than that they would successfully get home. These qualities are important in all aspects of life, for children and adults. They are worth discussing and reinforcing with your children and family. ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO TOUR SENIOR COLLEGE Yesterday, twenty visitors took a tour of our Senior College (Years 10-12) with Geoff Connor (Head of Campus, Tintern), two of our I.B. boys and myself. We visited classrooms, spent time in the Anderson Centre and chatted with a number of Senior College boys and girls. I know that those who came on the tour found it very rewarding and informative. Next Wednesday morning, 2 June, I am again offering any interested parents the opportunity to have a 60 minute tour of our Senior College. We have a bus departing Southwood at 8.45 or you can meet us at the Senior College Reception at 9.00 am (Located down the driveway behind the pool). It would be appreciated if you could notify Debbie Quirk (dquirk@southwood.vic.edu.au) if you intend joining us for this latest tour. There will be other opportunities throughout the coming months should you be unable to attend this tour.
JUNIOR SCHOOL 8870 1888 FAX; 8870 1899
ISSUE NO 9, TUESDAY 25 MAY 2010
BOOKLOOKERS CONTINUES... Our Year 6 boys continue to spend a session a week sharing books with a ‘Book Buddy’ from our Prep-Year 2 classes, as a part of our Booklookers program. These sessions are invaluable not just because of their fun, but also because of the fine modelling of reading skills displayed by our older boys.
DINOSAUR DIGGERS Our Year 1 & 2 boys were surrounded by dinosaurs, bones and all, when they took part in a most scary and exciting incursion by the Dinosaur Diggers company. Some of their reflections are as follows; DARCY – I learnt that plant eating dinosaurs had eyes at the side of their head to watch for predators coming from behind and the meat eaters had eyes at the front. This means that we are predators! LACHLAN B–I loved finding out about how many layers of rock, dirt, sand and ash there are below us. SEB –It was really funny when Sandra pretended to be a dinosaur and poo some fossil poo! LACHLAN YOUNG – I loved the dinosaur dig in the sand. We had to find fossil including shark teeth. The best thing was that we got to keep our fossils! COBY – Sandra was so much fun, especially when she ran in and out of the classroom pretending to be a dinosaur in a stampede running away from an allosaurus! ZACH – I loved crawling inside the tyrannosaurus skull – it was HUGE and scary! LUCA – I loved seeing the dinosaur puzzle being put together. It was great to see all the bones fit together.
Year 5 and 6 Science IQ. Science iQ is a series of online competitions for teams of four students. The quizzes test student knowledge, skills, and understanding in most areas of science. Each competition consists of two rounds of 15 questions. Students have up to one hour to complete the round, and are competing against other schools for prizes. On Wednesday 19 May, a team of Year 5 students (Josh Anandaraj, Morris Gu, Will Hansen and Mitch Lacey) participated in the first round of Science iQ as part of the Horizon Program. They answered questions relating to metal compounds burning to produce bright colours, an unusual bird on the island Mauritius, the expansion of gases and more. They worked cooperatively as a team and achieved a very successful 11 correct answers. Likewise, a team of Year 6 students (Harry Davies, Jack Dowling, Rory Shepherd and Jordan Wright) completed their level of Science iQ, achieving the same score. Questions they were required to research under pressure for time included ones relating to the wave types of earthquakes, respiration, density and volume. These young men also worked perfectly together as a team, and all students are looking forward to completing the competition next week. Anthea Watkins, Science Co-ordinator
JUNIOR SCHOOL 8870 1888 FAX; 8870 1899
ISSUE NO 9, TUESDAY 25 MAY 2010
What Have The Grade 3s and 4s Been Up To ? This term the year 3 and 4 boys have been studying Explorers - with an emphasis on the early Australian Explorers. We have had a special guest speaker, Knowles Kerry, who came all the way from Tasmania to tell us about his work on Antarctica. He amazed the boys with his stories about life in such a harsh environment and entertained them with his comical stories about his work with the Adelie Penguin. Last week the boys came to school dressed as explorers and participated in a number of fun activities designed to give them an idea of life as an explorer. We started with a fitness circuit to make sure we all had the physical strength to last the expedition. For Art we did botanical drawing. We went out into the garden and chose a plant to draw – just like the explorers did when they came across a plant they had never seen before. Every explorer needs to read a map and follow directions. We all managed to find the landmarks that were set. Damper is made using flour, milk, butter and salt and is easily made by the explorers over an open fire. We had to dig for our lunch and found a good supply of water and stew left underground by previous explorers. Our meal of stew and billy tea was cooked over a trangia and tasted delicious. We even drank the billy tea – tea leaves and all! It was easy to put up our tents – much easier than trying to put them back in the tiny bag they came in. We even wrote letters home to our families to let them know we had survived. It is very hard to use a quill and ink – especially when you are left-handed. The unit has been great fun and we have all learnt so much.
YEAR 7 INFORMATION EVENING We warmly invite all interested families and friends to join with us at the CM Wood Centre, Tintern, on Tuesday 1 June, 7.309.30 pm for a Year 7 2011 Information Evening. On this occasion our Senior School Captains will speak about life in the Tintern Schools, whilst there will be presentations and information specific to Year 7 at our Southwood and Tintern campuses. Should you know of friends who may be interested in attending this evening, we would be appreciative if you could let them know about this special event.
JUNIOR SCHOOL 8870 1888 FAX; 8870 1899
ISSUE NO 9, TUESDAY 25 MAY 2010
THANK YOU JOSHUA! We congratulate Joshua Coulson (Year 6) for his initiative and efforts in organising for the sale of chocolates at our Student Entrance during last month to raise money for the Cancer Council of Victoria. Joshua, ably assisted by Hugh Dugan, Nicholas Dugan and Jordan Wright, raised a total of $371.25, a wonderful effort. Whilst our school community were great supporters of the stall, it was Joshua who raised the idea and then organised everything. It was a wonderful gesture and he deserves our respect and acknowledgement for his efforts. THE KELSON SCHOLARSHIPS Our Year 6-9 boys attended a very special assembly on Monday, where Mr Michael Kelson presented Certificates to, and we were privileged to hear play, Nicholas Elliott (Year 6) and Steven Yang (Year 8), recipients of this year’s Ilma Kelson Scholarships. Mrs Ilma Kelson was the Director of Music at Tintern Girls’ Grammar School from 1958 to 1973. During her years at Tintern Mrs Kelson developed the classroom music programme up to the Higher School Certificate level, and choral groups flourished under her leadership. She arranged many performances and touring opportunities for the choirs and involved them in many fundraising activities for a variety of charities. She always supported and encouraged young performers and endeavoured to provide them with quality performance opportunities within the school and the local community. In 1994 the school and community mourned the passing of this outstanding teacher, who had contributed so much to music education and encouraged so many young musicians. The Kelson family, represented by Mr Michael Kelson, has endowed annual scholarships to be awarded to support music education. Mrs Kelson’s energetic drive and high expectations of what young musicians can achieve continues to encourage and support Tintern Schools’ talented and dedicated musicians of the future. The Ilma Kelson Scholarships are now in their seventh year, and the Tintern Schools music community is extremely grateful. Nicholas Elliott, is the recipient of an Encouragement Scholarship. Encouragement scholarships are awarded to students learning an instrument that is considered rare or particularly desirable by the Music Department for balancing parts within our orchestras and bands. Steven Yang is the recipient of the Outstanding Performer award for 2010. This award is given to a student who has demonstrated excellence in performance as a soloist and as a dedicated member of at least one choir or instrumental ensemble. ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS There is still a very small amount of Entertainment Books available for purchase through the Southwood Parents Club. These books offer terrific savings in restaurants, entertainment and accommodation venues. Please contact Sue Jane (President, Southwood parents Club) or Debbie at Reception to purchase your copy. YEAR 5/6 INTERSCHOOL SPORTS FIXTURES AND RESULTS... v Marlborough: Soccer won 5–0, Softball won 5–3, Bat Tennis Lost 32 – 37, AFL won 14.13. 97 to 1.2.8 v Park Orchards; Soccer lost 0–8, Softball won 9–0, Bat Tennis Won 45–4, AFL lost 2.8.20 to 11.6.72 This week is a BYE – Training @ Southwood th Our next interschool fixture is 4 June v. Ringwood Heights (AFL & Bat Tennis @ SWD, Soccer @ Tintern, NO Softball Round Robin v Tintern Girls)
TERM 2 DATES AND ACTIVITIES Wednesday 26 May
District Cross Country Club Tinwood # 3 @ Southwood Thursday 27 May Year 5 Cross campus orienteering at Jells Park Tuesday 1 June Year 7 Information Evening, CM Wood centre, Tintern, 7.30 pm Wed 2 June Tour of Senior College, 9.00 am Tues 8 – Thurs 10 June Year 6 Canberra Experience Thursday 10 June Year 5 Cross Campus Activity at Tintern 9.00–1.00 Monday 14 June QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HOLIDAY Thursday 17 June Junior School Cabaret Concert 7.00 pm, Hall Wednesday 23 June Preps to Kew Traffic School 10.00 am Friday 25 June Last day of Term