Learning in the Junior School

When we ask parents what they are looking for in their son’s school, most people include in their response that they want their son to be in a safe and nurturing environment where he can learn, feel a sense of belonging and grow

We share this view. For a boy to thrive, to fully reach his potential, he must be happy and feel a sense of connectedness. That is why the pastoral care structure and all that supports it, is key to the way the Junior School operates.

Each boy, as well as belonging to his class, also belongs to a year level group and a House. The Homeroom teacher, Year Level Co-ordinators, Specialist teachers and School Counsellor all work together to ensure each boy finds his place in our School.

Emotional intelligence is developed by the boys participating in our Circle Time program – that is a time each week when the boys in each class explore their feelings with each other about certain issues relevant to their age.

Significant emphasis is placed on transition into the Junior School from the Early Learning Centre, and from Year 6 into Middle School. We have a Transition Co-ordinator responsible for working with staff, parents and boys to make sure these important changes occur as seamlessly and positively as possible.

Having a strong relationship between the School and parents and grandparents is also important for the boys. Parents play an active part of life in the Junior School whether by giving classroom support in our literacy development program across the year levels, by participating in the work of the Junior Parents Group, attending special celebrations like the Welcome Picnic, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day events, adding extra adult support on excursions and camps or simply by attending the occasional assembly. Parents are, at BGS, a vital part of the team!

Helping the boys understand they are part of a community is very important to us. This occurs at several levels. As a Junior School community we celebrate our traditions and achievements at our weekly Chapel service for boys in Year 3 to Year 6 and formal assembly for boys in Prep to Year 6. Each week opportunity exists for a different class to contribute to assembly presenting to the other boys such things as a report about an excursion, a class project, or even a singing or drama performance. Parents are certainly welcome to attend.

Boys are also taught they are part of a wider Melbourne community and global community. This is done by their active involvement in a number of community service activities such as undertaking boy initiated fundraising for the Baraka School in Kenya, a school we have supported for many years; donating food to the disadvantaged of Melbourne via to St Mark’s Fitzroy, a school-wide program known as the ‘Ute full of Food’, as well as other fundraising for Very Special Kids and McKillop Family Services.

Learn more about the Junior School curriculum.

Learn more about leadership development in the Junior School.

Head of the Junior School, Peter Tellefson