From the Junior School

At Trinity, we nurture a culture that embraces individuality and values community. This is celebrated in the Junior School through the many programs that operate alongside the classroom curriculum. These additional out-of-the-classroom experiences enrich our students’ lives at school and may even inspire them to be more curious, courageous, and collaborative.

Co-curricular activities

After school, our older Junior School students attend a range of clubs. The activities on offer range from chess to robotics to sports. The time spent engaged in these activities affords our students the opportunity to have a go at something they may not have tried before – and they might develop some new skills and make some new friends while doing so. Much fun was had this term and excitement is already growing about the Term 3 offerings.

Chess is held in the Junior School Library

The cross-country team at a Round Robin

The McIntyre Gym is a great venue for sporting activities

Sport

Always popular amongst the student body are the many sporting activities on offer. One of the most popular and perhaps the most physically demanding is House Cross Country. Although this event provides an opportunity for our more skilled runners to shine, the focus of the event is on everyone ‘giving it a go’. Every student is encouraged to run the course and the effort each one makes is a great source of pride. The House spirit and support that the students provide one another is equally impressive and another highlight of the day.

This term also saw the reintroduction of Round Robins. Students in Years 4, 5 and 6 had the opportunity to engage in a variety of winter sports against PEGS and Camberwell Grammar School. The competition was fierce but ultimately many friendships were formed.

During Reconciliation Week, our students led the way to help make change as they listened and learned about one of the oldest civilisations. Students in Years 3 to 6 participated in a variety of activities run by Didgeridoo Australia, which included creating art with ochre, clay and charcoal. Students also had the opportunity to play an Indigenous instrument.

Our Prep to Year 2 students took part in an Acknowledgement of Country and a Smoking Ceremony, both of which were held in the Roberts House Playground area. The Ceremony provided an opening for collaborative storytelling and our Prep to Year 2 students are preparing to preform Dreamtime stories as part of their class plays in Term 3.

The Buddy Program

The Junior School Buddy program is an integral part of the Student Wellbeing program, reinforcing the friendly and caring environment and culture that is inherent at Trinity. Over the course of the school year, students build a unique bond with their buddy. For many, it is one of the highlights of their week.

Through this program, students develop so much more than friendships with boys from outside their own year levels. Indeed, they can enhance their social skills and sense of empathy, as well as learn to value difference and develop trust.

The Buddy program even extends beyond the Trinity gates and, over the course of the year, students from Prep to Year 6 at Ruyton and Trinity are given the opportunity to build friendships with others outside their immediate school community. The students greatly enjoy engaging with their Ruyton buddies.

This program is an important element of student wellbeing and helps our students to flourish.

Chapel

Another way in which students from Prep to Year 6 get involved in Trinity life outside the classroom is by attending Chapel. This weekly service aims to equip them with the tools to live virtuous lives and enable them to develop into well-rounded people who flourish in the modern world. There is never a shortage of students who volunteer to read from the Bible or to write and lead our weekly prayers.

Boys are also included in services – they might answer questions, ring the bell, or even be a willing volunteer in one of Ms Fairlie’s interactive homilies! Singing is also an important part of our worship and the students come to Chapel well prepared to sing God’s praise after weekly singing practice with their music teacher, Ms Searle.

Samara Madden

Deputy Head of the Junior School