Weekly eNews

Thursday 1 August 2024

Involvement in co-curricular activities, whether sports, community service, the creative arts or technology, helps our students discover their talents and strengths beyond academics.

They offer valuable opportunities to learn new skills, explore their interests, develop their personalities, and more importantly have fun. 

This week’s co-curricular schedule includes the Year 6 Canberra trip, the Year 9-10 Tiwi immersion journey, rehearsals for the upcoming joint musical production Frozen JR. with Firbank, debating programs and fundraising activities organised by our Prefect group for Foodbank.

Often the boys enjoy themselves so much that they don’t realise the deeper learning taking place, such as the important lessons of teamwork and self-discipline and building bonds with others outside their regular circle of classroom friends.

It’s a reminder to all of us that we should continue to look to expand our experiences, develop our skills and find new passions throughout all stages of our lives.

Finally, as a member of the APS Steering Sub-Committee, I am pleased to share our latest update on the strategic review of the APS Sport program and its emerging themes. 

Enjoy your weekend.

The corridors and playground have certainly felt different this week as our Year 6 boys and staff have travelled to Canberra.

They will visit many sights: Embassy/War Memorial Drive, Electoral Centre, Old/New Parliament House, Australian Institute of Sport, National Museum of Australia, National Archives of Australia, Australian Mint, Government House, Australian War Memorial, Mt Ainslie and Questacon. Canberra offers such a variety of educational programs focusing on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy. 

As the boys visited the various sites, many compliments have been made to staff in regard to our boys’ presentation, knowledge and behaviour. I have also been impressed with the boys’ depth of knowledge and excellent responses to questions they were asked throughout the trip. 

I appreciate the overall coordination and leadership from Rob Bater, the great support from Jamie Cooney, Monica Le Couteur, Henry Jenkins, Carly West, Brett Page, Cat Rossiter, Chester Lord, Claire Clarke, Joanne Davies, Steve Lewis, Rebekah Ashcroft and Brent Brickhill.

The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion, we are fortunate the Government contributes funding under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs.

Wilson House Happenings & Reminders

• Thank you to all Junior School parents and Homeroom teachers for their commitment to our Parent/Teacher Discussions last week. 
• The removal of the crane from the new building site will result in a partial road closure for cars and pedestrians on St Andrews Street on Monday 5 August (from Church St roundabout to Lindsay St/Outer Cres). Please plan ahead for any traffic disruption and limited pedestrian access during this time.

• Our Prep – Year 6 boys will welcome their dads into the classroom for activities and to celebrate Father’s Day from 8.15 – 9.15am as below:

Prep – Tuesday 27 August

Year 1 – Wednesday 28 August

Year 2 – Friday 30 August

Year 3 – Monday 26 August

Year 4 – Monday 2 September

Year 5 – Tuesday 3 September

Year 6 – Thursday 29 August

• All Prep – Year 6 boys are invited to dress up for the Book Week Parade on Friday 23 August. Boys can come to school or bring a costume based on the theme ‘Reading is Magic’. They will parade their costumes in their year levels at a special assembly.

 

The boys have certainly carried their inspiration over from the weekend watching the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics. We have had soccer, football and rugby games in our morning and afternoon programs with our keen athletes practising their skills and working in teams to try and play short games on the oval. We have even had torch relays with our buddies around the oval. 

Our creative arts has also been inspired with making medals, rings and drawing our favourite sports.

The highlight however was definitely for our ELC4 boys who were visited today by the former captain of the Australian swimming team and was medalled 58 times including 36 Gold Medals and broke 16 world records. Grant has received the Order of Australia medal, Australian Sports Medal, and Centenary Medal for his achievements and is a member of the Sports Australia Hall of Fame and International Swimming Hall of Fame.

What a treat for our boys and an unforgettable memory! We thank Grant for his time this morning.

It’s wonderful watching how far the boys have come from Term 1 where we couldn’t take the ELC3s out onto the oval as it would take 15 minutes to round them back up, to now where they are focused and following the rules of the games being played. Well done boys!

It is also great to see how many parents are regularly accessing Schoolbox to see our updates from the boys’ programs. The teachers also upload programs and journals for you to enjoy and provide feedback on.

We would also welcome parent/grandparent participation in our programs so if you have a hobby or interest area you would like to share, or simply like to come in and read a story please let us know! 

Parenting Tips

Try being five minutes late:  Lessons in resilience

If you’re not on time for pick up, how does your child react? Read article below from tween and teen parenting author Michelle Mitchell on some ideas to promote resilience.

Olivia Tims
Junior School Psychologist

Save the Date – Journey Concerts Term 3

• Choral Concert, St Andrew’s Church – Tuesday 20 August
• Strings Spectacular Concert, St Andrew’s Church – Tuesday 27 August
• Bands Showcase Concert, Rosstrevor Hall – Thursday 29 August

Further information will be provided via Schoolbox and the BGS app. All ensembles performing at the concerts will be detailed.

 

Diary Dates

• 29 July - 2 August Year 6 Canberra trip