From the Junior School

Roaming a little more freely

During Term 1, there was much delight as the children broadened their horizons beyond the classroom to disengage from technology for a little while, roam a little more freely, and engage with expanded communities of peers. Students had plenty of opportunities to involve themselves in all that the Junior School has to offer.

Close to 250 of our students enjoyed the challenges and mateship of school camps. As our Year 4 and 6 boys headed off to Camp Rumbug, they were filled with anticipation and excitement. They participated in a range of adventurous outdoor activities, covering themselves in mud daily. The Year 6 students provided encouragement and support to their younger peers, while being guided through activities by Year 9 group leaders. To conclude the week, the Year 6 boys continued their camp experience for two nights at Waratah Bay. They had the opportunity to swim in the surf, participate in numerous beach games, hike along the beach at Wilson’s Promontory and appreciate the beautiful coastal environment.

Year 6 on a hike

Year 4 students with Mr Vedelsby at Camp Rumbug

Returning to the regular rhythm of excursions

Our Year 5 boys enjoyed the beach life that the Portsea Camp has to offer. Spending three jam-packed days snorkelling, body boarding and sandcastle building was marvellous – while a trip to Queenscliff on the ferry was the cherry on top.

Term 1 also marked a return to the regular rhythm of excursions, intertwined throughout the school curriculum. Our Year 1 children enjoyed a day at Rayner’s Orchard with one of the greatest highlights being the bus ride with friends. Only a day previously our Year 5s had set off to the city to spend time exploring the Melbourne Aquarium. For our Year 6 students, the term started with a day of classmate bonding at Bulleen, as they participated in the Project Rockit program.

Even our Prep boys enjoyed their first ever excursion this term, walking all of 200m to the Alexandra Gardens to enjoy a morning of games followed by a picnic lunch with their parents.

Nicholas Elliot and Fletcher Gerard at Portsea

Playing makes you hungry! Preps enjoying their excursion

Year 5 at the Melbourne Aquarium

Looking forward with hope

Our sporting events returned with gusto this term. During the Year 3 to 6 House Swimming Carnival, the enthusiastic cheering could be heard as far away as Cotham Road! Regardless of swimming ability, students were involved in races ranging from butterfly to a kickboard race. Over the course of the term, many students had involved themselves in after school swimming sessions as part of the co-curricular activities offered at Trinity. The Prep to Year 2 children enjoyed their own swimming display; they were keen to show their parents the new skills they had been practising in their school swimming lessons.

A defining sporting highlight, however, was the return of Friday sport at Bulleen. This term, students participated in Frisbee golf, touch rugby and cricket, as well as peerbuilding activities with their buddies.

There is no doubt that what lies before us in 2022 is still largely unpredictable and for many of our children, the memories of lockdowns remain forefront in their minds. However, we owe it to our young people to look towards the rest of the year with hope and an emphasis on looking forward. We welcome the return of the simple things: the routines of school life, school sporting events and the simple excursion, even if it is only 200m up the road! We encourage our students to continue to involve themselves in the myriad of activities Trinity has to offer. Jump in and get involved and be a part of it!

Samara Madden

Deputy Head of the Junior School We are so excited about jumping into the Prep to 2 Swimming Display!