A NEW RHYTHM FOR LEARNING

DATE

23 September, 2024

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Building a Bright Future Together:

Our Exciting New Developments

As we embark on a new chapter in our school’s journey, we are pleased to share with you some significant developments that reflect our unwavering commitment to excellence in education. These enhancements are not merely changes but thoughtful, strategic initiatives designed to support the holistic growth of every student. Our focus remains steadfast on creating an environment where each child can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. 

A New Rhythm for Learning

Imagine a school day where your child can dive deep into learning without unnecessary interruptions, where they have dedicated times to play, explore, and connect with friends, and where lunch becomes a shared moment of community. This is the vision behind our new timetable. We have listened to student, staff and parent feedback and considered what truly benefits our students. By providing longer, uninterrupted blocks of learning time, your child will have the space to engage fully with their studies. At the same time, structured playtimes will ensure they return to the classroom refreshed and ready to learn. Communal lunchtimes will further strengthen the bonds between our students, creating a supportive and connected school community. 

Hands-On Learning and Consistency

We understand the importance of consistency and the value of hands-on experiences in education. That is why we are thrilled to introduce a new suite of specialist subjects. These subjects have been carefully chosen to be age appropriate and offer more practical, engaging learning opportunities that make education come alive. Furthermore, our specialist subjects will support our mission to provide a holistic educational experience for our students. We will also ensure that your child benefits from a stable and continuous learning environment, where familiar faces guide them through new and exciting challenges. 

SPECIALIST SUBJECTS

Visual Art (Kinder - Year 5)

Visual Art classes inspire creativity through painting, drawing, and many other creative activities, encouraging self-expression, imagination, and artistic skills while helping students appreciate diverse artistic styles and techniques.

Chinese (Year 3-5)

Chinese Learning immerses students in Mandarin through interactive lessons, cultural activities, and engaging projects, building language skills, cultural appreciation, and global communication from an early age.

HPE

Health and Physical Education (HPE) promotes active lifestyles through fun activities, fitness challenges, and health lessons, fostering students’ physical development, teamwork, and healthy habits for lifelong well-being.

Music

Music education fosters creativity and expression through singing, instrument play, and rhythm activities, enhancing students’ auditory skills, teamwork, and appreciation for diverse musical genres.

+ NEW IN 2025

Digi-Tech (Year 3-5)

Digitech introduces students to digital technologies through hands-on activities, coding, and multimedia projects, enhancing their tech skills, problem-solving abilities, and creativity in an engaging way.

Learning with the IDEALS (Year 3-5)

Learning with the IDEALS provides an opportunity for learners to explore and integrate learning using the IDEALS of Internationalism and global citizenship, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure,  Leadership and Service.

STEAM/Makers (Year 3-5)

STEAM/Makers empowers young learners to explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics through hands-on projects, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork in a dynamic environment.

Rock Media (Year 3-5)

Rock Media engages students with interactive digital tools and multimedia projects, enhancing their creativity, communication, and critical thinking skills while making learning fun and dynamic.

Story Time (Early Learning - Prep)

Story Time captivates young minds with engaging narratives and interactive storytelling, fostering imagination, language development, and a love for reading through shared, immersive experiences.

Guided by Caring Leaders

At the heart of our Junior School we aim for our teachers to be consistent in their approach and collaborative with one another in a bid to support our students as best as possible in an out of the classroom. In light of this we are excited to announce that in 2025, we will introduce key roles, like the Primary Learning Leader and a Social Emotional Learning teacher, to guide our teaching teams, Deputy Heads of Junior School (Prep to Year 2 and Year 3 to 5), Head of Enrichment & Enhancement and Head of Inclusive Education. These leaders are not just educators; they are mentors who are deeply invested in the success of every student. They bring greater consistency across class groups, ensuring that every child receives the same high standard of education, no matter which classroom they are in. This consistency is part of our commitment to helping your child reach their full potential. 

Learning Through Head, Heart, and Hands

We believe that true learning engages the head, heart, and hands. We want our students to be more than just good learners—we want them to be creative thinkers, innovators, and problem solvers. We are excited to see our students embrace challenges, not as obstacles but as opportunities to grow. By connecting their learning with the outdoors and the world around them, we are ensuring that education isn’t just about memorising facts—it’s about understanding, creating, and leaving a legacy. We want our students to inspire each other and to take pride in turning stumbling blocks into stepping stones. 

Creating Spaces for Growth

As part of our commitment to your child’s growth, we are also enhancing the physical spaces where they learn and play. Our Elphin campus is undergoing some exciting developments, including a new Science/STEAM space that will ignite curiosity, and the Lachie Wright Centre, dedicated to supporting the whole child.

*Artists Impression: STEAM Learning Studio

We are also upgrading our playing surfaces and are currently exploring the creation of an all-year-round outdoor play space, ensuring that all students have a safe and stimulating environment, no matter the weather. 

*Artists Impression: Undercover outdoor play space and exterior of Lachie Wright Centre

A Shared Commitment to Excellence

These updates are more than just changes—they are a reflection of our shared commitment to excellence. We are not just preparing our students for success at school; we are preparing them for the next phase of their journey and ultimately for life. Every decision we make is guided by the question: What’s best for our students? We are confident that these new initiatives will make a meaningful difference in your child’s life, and we are excited to embark on this journey together. 

Thank you for being part of our community and for trusting us with the education and wellbeing of your child.

Together, we are building a brighter future for all. 

Ross Patterson         Ben Green
Principal                    Deputy Principal – Elphin