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JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS
Welcome
from the Head of Junior School, Katie Petchell
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The Junior School is always a hive of active engagement and authentic experience in recognition that it is essential to grow the ‘whole child’.
This focus on holistic development allows each student to explore their passions and identify their strengths, while also learning to sit with the uncomfortable feeling that comes with being challenged or recognising things they may not be so good at.
It is an exciting time to be involved in education as we strive to ensure that contemporary learning and teaching is informed by research and evidence-based practice. With the student at the heart of all decisions, we recognise that learning and teaching, wellbeing and innovation must be considered to prepare individuals for an unknown future.
An allocated period of time is devoted to InsideOut as part of PreKindergarten to Year 6 timetables to support student wellbeing. Research has shown the significance of wellbeing as core to educational outcomes. Students flourish when they experience positive emotions, are engaged in what they are learning, accomplish their goals, enjoy good relationships and have a sense of meaning. We understand that individuals each have their own character strengths and we seek to encourage and guide them to ensure these can be seen, heard and experienced.
Also taking place each week is sparc, blending a unique, future-focused framework designed to prepare students with the knowledge, skills, attributes and values that will see them thrive now and into the future. There is a need for us to prepare our students for the future world – a world for which jobs have not yet been created, for technologies that have not yet been invented and to solve problems that have not yet been anticipated.
Learning and teaching is based on a balance of teacher-guided explicit instruction and student-initiated experiential opportunities. For maximum student engagement, there needs to be an element of inquiry or project-based learning integrating conceptual knowledge and understanding in a purposeful way. Student voice and choice is also critical to establish a sense of ownership of the learning process. The Heritage showcases just a few examples of how learning and teaching, wellbeing and innovation can be seen in action. For weekly updates of life in the Junior School, jump onto our Facebook or Instagram page.
Katie Petchell
HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL
School Holidays Offer Something for Everyone
Vacation Care and School Holiday Workshops at Perth College are more popular than ever, with this year’s winter program the biggest yet.
Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) and Holiday Program Manager, Evline Berger, said 323 workshop tickets were sold, while more than 120 children attended Vacation Care in the first two weeks of the holiday break alone.
It's no wonder when there are so many options to keep children from the ages of three to 15 entertained!
From cake decorating, to dance experiences, coding opportunities, football workshops and more – there is always something for everyone! Ms Berger said, by offering such a range of activities, students had the opportunity to develop their skills in creativity, problem solving, digital literacy, communication and collaboration, design thinking, intellectual risk-taking, self-regulation and more.
“It’s so important to offer this range of activities to maximise learning opportunities by providing students with an interactive, engaging environment,” she said. “It also caters for students’ unique interests and abilities and introduces them to new ideas and experiences they may not have as part of their school curriculum.”
Families have the option of enrolling their children into Vacation Care, which offers a flexible program of activities every day of the holidays from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm, or exciting workshops run by partner providers.
“Vacation Care is child-centred, child-directed and play-based learning and involves a significant element of responsive teaching,” Ms Berger said. “The staffing team are consistent, highly-qualified educators who build positive relationships with children and cater for their individual needs."
“Holiday workshops are specialised and focus on particular abilities and specific interests. They are run by experts from a variety of fields and industries and utilise industry-specific equipment.”
Families may also be eligible to claim the Government Child Care Subsidy for Vacation Care as it is a registered childcare provider. For more information about OSHC, Vacation Care and upcoming School Holiday Workshops, visit the Perth College website.
Eco Warriors Meet with Politicians
In June, the Year 6 co-curricular club, Eco Warriors, had the honour of presenting to Environment Minister, Amber-Jade Sanderson, and Member for Mount Lawley, Simon Millman.
Their meeting with the politicians stemmed from the news that Greenbatch had gone into liquidation earlier in 2021. The students had been collecting and sorting plastic lids and containers for Greenbatch, who recycle them locally.
To express their disappointment and proactively encourage the State Government to invest in a similar recycling facility to process small plastics, the students wrote to Mr Millman as well as Premier, Mark McGowan.
A few weeks later, they heard back from Mr Millman’s office asking to meet with them. Students prepared their presentations and practised their speeches ahead of the visit when they were able to clearly explain the problem and their solutions.
The Environment Minister responded to their concerns and shared that a new company would soon start processing plastic bottle lids through the Containers for Change depots.
“It was a great experience and has motivated the students to continue campaigning for the environment,” supervising teacher, Jo Harmsworth, said.
Students also took the opportunity to discuss protecting animals and climate change, as well as pitch their ideas for reducing fossil fuels and improving recycling practices in WA.
“It is good to know that the plastic bottle lids we have collected will be recycled and not create more rubbish,” Alex said.
“I liked that they commented on our mascot at the end of our presentation,” Ellie added.
“It was great to learn that there is a solution, and the State Government are planning for more environmentally friendly options,” Tiare said.
A Touch of Yellow to Spread Sunshine and Support
In June, Junior School students came to school wearing ‘a touch of yellow’ to signify a special new friendship with Burbridge School as part of the Pre-Kindergarten to Pre-Primary sparc classes.
Students donated food to the Pantry2Pantry food collective to wear their yellow socks and hair accessories and support families at Burbridge School.
Yellow was chosen to spread sunshine and brighten the days of the Perth College and Burbridge School communities and recognise the growing connection between the schools.
Head of Junior School, Katie Petchell, thanked the Perth College community, Burbridge School and Pantry2Pantry for the collaborative effort.
“Our Junior School community filled 26 food hampers and brought brightness and joy to families at Burbridge School,” she said.
“Both schools also delivered handmade artworks representing a growing reciprocal friendship which will be displayed outside the Founders Art Room."
“Thank you also to Pantry2Pantry for their inspiration and support!”
