Dynamic duos in the Junior School

Jon Knight PYP Coordinator

At Trinity, partnerships flourish in our community as our Junior School students develop a love of learning. They continue to want to learn about things that are relevant, significant, challenging and engaging.

To form partnerships in the PYP, teachers encourage students to work collaboratively, in pairs or in small groups within flexible learning spaces, taking ownership of their learning. They benefit in pursuing shared interests and learn more about each other.

The “Gap Walkers” program sees OTGs walk Junior School music students from their classrooms to the CFA building, bridging the Charles Street gap together.

‘Connection to the Junior School and getting to learn how the Junior School runs and operates is really rewarding to me. It allows me to keep connected to the school as an OTG,

Through regular communication, teachers work closely with parents and guardians to support students’ learning and make sure all students are working to their full potential.

Partnerships are essential in the Primary Years Programme (PYP) curriculum within the Junior School. The PYP places great significance on partnerships as key to building positive relationships between students, teachers, parents and the wider community.

As part of the “Great Mates” program, Year 6 students don an orange vest and join the Prep and Year 1 students in their play area, providing an opportunity for communication, collaboration and mentorship.

‘Great Mates is pretty cool. You get to wear an orange vest and play with the Preps during lunchtime or recess.’ - Patrick (Year 6)

‘It’s fun having the same name, because when I hear the Prep teacher calling out “Patrick” we both turn around.’ - Patrick (Prep) rather than just through events such as reunions and have a fresh eye on what the school is doing with our future generations.’ - Toby

‘I really like the time with the OTG gap walkers, it’s good to chat with them and find out what Trinity used to be like. Toby and I talk about basketball and the teams we follow, the NBA playoffs.’ - Arnold (Year 6)

It’s Martin and Edmund’s role to bring the Trinity flag down in the Junior School playground of a Friday afternoon each week.

‘The main reason to put the flags down, one person has to catch the flag and fold it so it doesn’t rip, the other person has to control the rope.’ -

Edmund

‘Having a flag partner is a chance to make a good friend with someone new. It would be boring to put the flag down by yourself.’ - Martin

‘We both love the game, and we are in Chess Club together. I also like how we are equally matched, we both teach each other tactics when something doesn’t go our way, we help each other improve.’ - Sam

‘I enjoy playing with Sam a lot, he helps teach me the moves.’ - Lachlan

‘My favourite thing about being a twin is helping each other out. He is my role model because he is my older twin brother by two minutes.’- Zac

‘We're connected as twins, we have a special bond. Once we tried to switch places by switching clothes, but it didn’t work.’ - Nic