Junior School Bulletin Issue 8 / 3 June 2016
Junior School News Junior School Redevelopment The Year 1 classrooms and Student Services spaces under the Early Learning Centre were completed today and handed to the College. Over the weekend we will be moving all of the furniture and contents ready for school on Monday morning. The Year 4 classes will also be relocating over the weekend to their new permanent home in A Block. This represents a significant step in the College’s development as all of the primary classes are now in brick buildings.
is to enable teachers to create learning activities for small groups of students that caters for their differing needs. It is heart-warming to note that we have a large number of parents who regularly volunteer to help with these rotations. I would like to take this opportunity to thank every parent who has volunteered their time this semester – it is really appreciated.
Walkathon The students are to be congratulated for their efforts at the recent Walk for East Timor day. So far we have raised over $10,000 to help rebuild some of the communities in East Timor. Thank you to all families who have supported the walk-a-thon. It is fantastic to see the students taking action to help others.
The Years 5/6 students have moved into temporary classrooms so that renovations can take place in their classrooms. The focus for this stage of redevelopment is to create learning environments that are open, engaging, inviting and a place where the students really want to learn. Reports Junior School teachers are now completing final assessments so that they can put the finishing touches on the Semester 1 reports. The reports will be emailed home to parents at the end of the term. The reports should be read in conjunction with the child’s portfolio that will also be sent home at the end of the term. The reports are an opportunity to get an update on your child’s progress at school and application to their studies. It will allow you the chance to celebrate the successes with your children and assist in setting goals for future improvement. Parent Volunteers A lot of the teachers run Literacy or Numeracy rotations within the classroom. The reason for running the rotations
End of Semester Just a reminder that the last day for Term 2 will be Friday 17 June with Term 3 commencing on Monday 11 July. Holidays are great opportunity for students to recharge their batteries but it is really important that students keep their minds active through regular reading and other mentally stimulating activities. I would also like to encourage students to have “screen free days” during the break. Darrin Schumacher Head of Junior School
Chaplains Chat
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 (NIV) At St Andrews we focus on love and in particular, God’s love for us, as seen through His sacrifice on the cross. The act Christ completed, is the ultimate statement of love shown towards all humanity. It demonstrates once and for all that God is for each of us. He is totally committed to our eternal well-being and is prepared to give up everything to show us that love triumphs over violence and evil. Christ’s actions put all of us before himself - He did not consider his own needs but instead looked at what we need - forgiveness and love and He made this real through the sacrifice of His own life. It is this love that has motivated countless people down through the ages to offer up who they are and what they have to serve others. This response to who God is and what He has done on our behalf is a key part of the Christian journey. Our faith and trust in what Christ has done moves us to live in love. God’s perfect love for us drives out fear and leads us to sacrificial living - putting others before ourselves. This is a very difficult thing to do if we are unsure about the future but trusting that God has us in His care frees us to be more outward looking and aware of the needs of others. Last week the Junior School participated in a walkathon or more accurately ‘runathon’ in many instances, in aid of building houses in the small village of Bahareduk in East Timor. The response from our College has been most beautiful. Members of our community have been incredibly generous in sharing of their own possessions with others in one of our neighbouring countries. It is a great example of people acting in love and it is this love that transforms our world - drives out fear and leads us forward in a manner that is in keeping with all that God longs for each of us to experience. God is the source of all love and goodness and we are privileged at St Andrews to receive this love and extend it to others. Let’s keep encouraging each other to share our lives with God and each other and allow Him to continue to drive out fear with His perfect love. Graeme Schache Chaplain
From the Deputy Head of Junior School & PYP Coordinator As the year continues to unfold, the Junior School teachers have maintained a vigilant focus on collaboratively planning in-depth inquiries that are concept driven and enable our students to reflect and think deeply about issues. It is our intention to develop students who are world problem solvers. Not only do we seek to move students from their current level of understanding to a new and deeper level of understanding, we also hope to see our students engage in self-initiated action as a result of their learning. This is extremely important as an IB school offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP). In the PYP, it is believed that ‘education must extend beyond the intellectual to include not only socially responsible attitudes but also thoughtful and appropriate action’ (Making the PYP Happen, 2009). It is an expectation that successful inquiry will lead to responsible action, initiated by the student as a result of the learning process. The action will look different within each age range. Often, the action students may choose to take happens outside of the classroom and the teacher is not aware that the student has engaged in voluntary action. A goal for the remainder of this year and beyond is to gather information and evidence of our students participating in action. This is where we are seeking the support of our parents. We want to hear from you about any action your child is undertaking as a result of their learning. Please feel free to email your child’s class teacher to share what is happening outside of the classroom. If you are able to attach a photo or video of your child in action, that would be fantastic! It has been wonderful to present some students with an ‘And Action…’ certificate at Assembly to acknowledge the acts they have been taking outside of school as a result of what they have been learning.
Kirra (2C) has been cleaning up her local park area before she commences playing. This is a result of her understanding that human actions can impact on the Earth’s resources. Students in upper primary have the opportunity to nominate their peers and St Andrews staff members are also able to submit nominations. Students who meet the criteria are awarded with this special certificate at a Junior School Assembly. From the recipients of the certificate, a Spirit of St Andrews badge may also be awarded to a student who has exemplified being a shining light by up-holding our catch cry, “where everyone is someone.” It has been wonderful to acknowledge students who advocate for and encourage others! We are blessed to have such respectful and compassionate students in our learning community.
Charlize (5C) created a television commercial to share her knowledge of energy use following her experiences of learning during the ‘How the World Works’ unit of inquiry. Late last year we introduced a new award to the students that was launched across the College. The award is known as The Spirit of St Andrews Award. Recently, a number of students have been asking me how they can achieve a Spirit of St Andrews Award. I thought I would take the opportunity to explain the purpose and criteria for this award in this publication. The award has been developed to help build College culture through living out our mission statement, ‘Celebrating the Gospel, Nurturing the Individual and Empowering Lifelong Learners. The award is based on the Biblical scripture of Matthew 5:14. “You are the light of the world – like a city on a hill (or in our case, a school on a hilltop) that cannot be hidden.” The award is to acknowledge students who demonstrate self-initiated action to benefit others (be the shining light in our special community and beyond). We are seeking students who demonstrate empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. Those students who go way above and beyond with their actions to make a positive difference in the lives of others both within our College and the wider community.
Give generously…because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and everything you put your hand to. (Deuteronomy 15:10 NIV) Jacqueline Faulkner Deputy Head of Junior School PYP Coordinator
Volunteers Induction Our next Volunteers Induction will be held at 10.30am Friday 17 June in the Junior School Library. Everyone who volunteers in the College is requested to have attended this workshop which covers such issues as Valuing Safe Communities, Child Protection, Privacy and Fire Evacuation. Please register with Karen Deacon either by emailing: jsadmin@salc.qld.edu.au or by phone 5568 5901. A reminder to all existing volunteers we request that you sign in and wear your name badge at all times while volunteering in the College. If you do not have a current name badge then once again, please contact Karen Deacon. This course needs to be attended every three years. We value highly the wonderful support all Volunteers offer the College in their various roles either in the classroom, on excursions, in the Library, Tuckshop, Uniform Shop or as Traffic Safety Attendants. These are just a few of the places where we find you helping out and we thank you for all you do.
Japanese News Making Connections - Pre Prep Skype Sessions with Fuzoku Elementary School in Shikoku Japan For many years now the Junior School students have been able to Skype with Fuzoku Elementary School. A strong connection has been created with teachers from that school visiting our College earlier in the year. Our Pre Prep classes have now been able to experience a Skype session with Fuzoku Elementary. This experience shows that we are able to make connections and communicate with people who live far away. Students were also able to use their Japanese skills by introducing themselves in Japanese, singing “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and the Japanese greeting song.
P & F News P & F meetings are a great way to meet other parents from all age groups throughout the College and find out what direction the College and students are going. You are given a Principal’s Report which gives an overall summary of the College’s performance in all activities from education to sport. You are able to voice your ideas on what you feel the College may need or require to make St Andrews a better place. We look forward to seeing you all at the next meeting on Wednesday 8 June 7.00pm with an update on all the events around the College. To all Parents and Guardians these are your committee members for the P & F. Any support for your team would be greatly appreciated. President - Daniel Renneberg Mobile: 0409 729 676 Email: daniel@austplan.com.au Vice President - Jeff Bauman Mobile: 0407 713 706 Email: jeffbowie71@hotmail.com Secretary - Nicole Ainger Mobile: 0410 649 820 Email: bidwill16@bigpond.com
Prior to the Skype session, students listed their inquiry questions to ask during the Skype session - What do they want to ask children in Japan? Some examples were: Do you have beaches in Japan? What do you do at school? Do you have lots of students at your school? Do you have gardens at school? What does your school look like?
Treasurer - Julie Dignan Mobile: 0410 514 273 Grants Officer - Kim Allan Mobile: 0411 877 054 Email: phollamby@bigpond.com P & F Commitee
It’s that time of year to update the interest earned on your LLL account that is credited annually on 31 May. Through the use of Skype we have been able to enhance the inquiry process for our youngest learners. We look forward to many more Skype sessions. Sharon Taki ELC/Junior School Japanese
Please send your books in by last day of Term, Friday 17 June. They will be sent to Adelaide for the interest update and will be returned to you during the first week of Term 3.
Sport News District Sport Carnivals and Trials All 10 to 19 year old St Andrews’ students now trial via the Hinterland District. This applies for Carnivals (Swim, Cross Country and Athletics) and Sports Team selection trials. Don’t forget to email or see Ms West if you are interested in competing at District Sport Carnivals or attending District Sport Trials in 2016. All of the dates are listed on the College Website and on various notice boards around the College. Reminders will be in student notices and various College News sites as trial dates approach, but it is every students’ OWN responsibility to research the dates and contact Ms West if they are interested in such events.
Hinterland and Regional Cross Country The Hinterland Cross Country Carnival was held at Runaway Bay Fields on Wednesday 18 May. Thirty seven students represented the College to the highest standard, creating an excellent supportive atmosphere. Twelve St Andrews students achieved a top 7 place and therefore have been selected in the Hinterland team. These twelve students will now represent Hinterland District at the South Coast trials on June 7. Thank you to Mrs Wood, Mrs Pett, ‘JK’ Faulkner, Lachlan Richards and attending parents for their support of the students on the day.
Hinterland District and South Coast Sport Trials St Andrews continues to have numerous students achieving selection in Representative teams through the Hinterland District and South Coast Regional School Sport trials. Latest achievements include: Hinterland Team for Boys 15 Football – Finlay Wardrop Hinterland Team for Cross Country – Milla Jansen, Ethan Read, Timothy Hornsey, Jack Read, Shelby Walter, Mitchell, Hayley Wells, Lily Harvie, Katie Hayward, Jessica Palfreyman, Jai Croker and Will Atkinson
SLAPS Cross Country The SLAPS (Inter-Lutheran) Cross Country carnival was held at Rivermount College on Tuesday 24 May. The forty one students selected for the event performed exceptionally well displaying immense courage, teamwork & enthusiasm. As age group teams the Under 11/12 Boys, Under 10 Girls and Under 9 Girls teams all achieved 3rd place in Division 1. Individually, Timothy Hornsey and Imogen Stewart received the carnival medals for St Andrews for their excellent performance, courage and team spirit.
St Andrews Athletics Carnival The College Athletics Carnival will be held on Friday 15 July (Week 1, Term 3) at Pizzey Park Athletics Track. Due to the re-construction of J Block the oval space has been minimized and is now not suitable to hold the carnival. More information about the carnival will be published soon. Casey West Acting Junior School Sports Coordindator/PSPE Teacher
Visual Art News
Years P-3 1st and 2nd - Cody Robertson 2nd - Micah Glover Highly Commended - Mia Leyland
SCOPE Photography Awards Last Friday afternoon The Hub was awash with images of our gardens. There were over 250 entries across the College from our littlest students in the ELC to our very talented staff. The many and varied interpretations of how we see our gardens - whether it is the wildness of the valley, the well-kept suburban lawn to the wider Gold Coast beauty of our beaches were represented. All the entrants had a great time getting out there and capturing their image. There was a lovely turnout for the announcement of the awards and our guest judge, Rob Nicholls had some welcome words of wisdom for our photographers. Years 4-6 1st - Eadie Finn 2nd - Chloe Wallace Highly Commended - Ashley Kuzmanov, Eadie Finn, Eliza Thorpe, Marley Mavroidaki, Talia Nicholas, Tanah McLeod
A huge thank you to Rob for giving up his time and sharing his expertise with us. The entries will be digitally exhibited in both the Junior School Library and the CRC for the next two weeks. Check it out and be amazed by our very talented photographers. Thank you to Hannah Barclay for all her behind the scenes work and organisation and to Oliver Waddingham, Sophie Breach and Jonathon Aiello (Cultural Captains) for advertising, presentation and providing the music for the digital exhibition. And thanks to Trina from the Tuckshop for providing some of the prizes and catering for us. ELC 1st - Grace Glover
Years 7-9 1st - Heath Wilson 2nd - Jack Decent Highly Commended - Jack Decent, Lachlan Breach Years 10-12 1st - Liliana Mikami 2nd - Jarrod Yates Highly Commended - Nicole Richards, Liliana Mikami Open 1st - Peter Hennessy 2nd - Mark Sutton Highly Commended - Terese Sheers Encouragement Awards Leela Marwood, Leilah Dickenson, Marcus Kerr Congratulations to all of our entrants and keep clicking! Ngaire Harman Visual Art Coordinator
Dates to Remember JUNE Sunday 5 Prep Church Service, Worship Centre – 9.00am Tuesday 7 Chapel, Worship Centre – 1.40pm Wednesday 8 GC South Junior Chess Tournament (selected students) P & F General Meeting - CRC 7.00pm Friday 10 Prep Mums’ Coffee Morning, Plantation House – after drop off Year 3 Mums’ Dinner, JFK Woodfire Kitchen and Bar – 6.30pm Tuesday 14 Assembly, Multi Purpose Hall – 1.40pm Wednesday 15 ICAS Competition - Writing ICAS Competition - Spelling Thursday 16 Year 1C Mums’ Dinner, JFK Woodfire Kitchen and Bar – 6.30pm Friday 17 Volunteers Induction, Junior School Library – 9.00am Term 2 Ends Year 4 Families, Rebound Land – 6.00pm JULY Friday 1 Service Learning Tour to East Timor 1-11 July Monday 11 Term 3 Starts
rize ly p k e we s ner win es& dal H!! Jan
Your 2015/2016 Membership has EXPIRED! Purchase a new book or digital membership for $60 www.entbook.com.au/14404l5 Raising funds for the Senior School restoration and furniture for the Junior School Library.
TSA's needed Traffic Safety Attendant Volunteers urgently needed on Thursdays. Please contact Jo-Anne Levey joannel@salc.qld.edu.au or phone 5568 5901