Forthcoming events
Resource Centre
Teacher Aide Position
Under-glaze workshop
JSPA
Parents of Year 5
Information Technology

25 May 2000 No. 15

From the Head of Junior School

Congratulations are extended to all boys who participated in the Music Recitals held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. It is wonderful to see so many boys enjoy the chance to share their talent. Boys who have only had a couple of lessons, right through to experienced musicians performed admirably to most appreciative audiences.

I thank parents for their continued encouragement of boys learning musical instruments, as it is through this support and encouragement that their talents are fostered and developed.

I also thank Miss Allen, Mrs Piggin, Mrs Solovei, Mrs Robertson, Ms Hallum, Mr Scmidli, Mr Rickard, Mr Beckitt and Mr Hunter for their organisation of these recitals.

Next Friday, a group of boys learning Suzuki violin will be participating in a workshop with girls from Strathcona. This is set to be a wonderful experience for the boys and parents should direct any queries to Miss Allen in the Music Department. I trust boys involved enjoy their day.

A special welcome is extended to Mr Sean Morris, who has joined the Junior School staff for approximately twelve weeks. Mr Morris comes to us from Ohio in the United States and will be working with Mr Hawkins and Miss Colaneri in the Physical Education Department. Mr Morris, who was only married a couple of weeks ago, will shortly be joined by his new wife. Mrs Morris has also indicated her willingness to share her teaching skills in the Prep Unit. We hope they both enjoy their time with us.

I encourage parents who have not returned their response slip for Parent/Teacher Interviews to do so quickly, as interviews are allocated on a first in, first served basis. Slips should be returned promptly to your sons teacher. Forms can be obtained from the office should another one be required.

My theme for this week has been Patience

I reminded the boys that being

Patient

The Book of Proverbs tells us:

The boys were left with the following affirmation:

My thought for the week:

Guy B Mason

Forthcoming Events

31 May - JSPA, Guest Speaker - Professor Michael Carr-Gregg

2 June - Prep Morning Tea, Giorgios Glenferrie Road and High Street

2 June - Year 6 Excursion to Parliament

From the Resource Centre

Book Fair A Great Success!

Our Book Fair proved to be most popular again with many boys shopping for reading material with their parents. In fact the majority of boys made a purchase enabling us to sell $8,547.50 worth of books in just three days. This is turn will ensure that the Resources Centre is able to choose a vast number of books for our own shelves as a reward for the sales.

The main door prize was won by Nicholas Paltoglou (3N). He received $25 worth of books for himself, and $25 worth for his classroom. Tom Sutterby (4W) and Andrew Hung (PD) also won book prizes. Thanks to our parent group, Andrew Fairservice (aka Miss Spider) and Mrs H Taylor for all their help during the fair.

Ms A Hindson

Temporary Teacher Aide Position

A teacher aide position exists within the Junior School to work with the class teacher in implementing class programmes for one boy. This position is Commonwealth Government funded and attracts some remuneration. It is anticipated that the support would be required for 13/4 hours per day

Inquiries and/or expressions of interest may be made by telephoning either Ms Marcia Bacon or Mrs Chris Robertson at the school on 9810 4236.

Under-glaze Workshop for Year 6 Boys

Recently, the Year 6 boys had an Artist In Residence from Northcote Potteries. Kerry Punton is a ceramic artist who specialises in Maiolica techniques of painting on clay and tiles. She won a Queens Trust Grant to study this technique in Portugal, Turkey and Holland.

Ms Punton demonstrated to the Year 6 boys how to paint with special coloured under-glazes on their own pieces of pottery. They used an Aquatic theme and painted fish, sea horses, star fishes and other sea creatures on their pencil holders and bowls. Boys used a stencil method to achieve different sea shapes, with a variety of colours. Highlights of contrasting colours and fine line work was achieved by using glaze scribblers which are like fine pens.

The following week the boys will add a coat of clear glaze to the under-glazes and then the clay pots can be fired again at a high temperature to give bright colours on the clay. It will be exciting to see the results of this under-glazing technique by the Year 6 boys when they come out of the kiln.

Mrs Ferres Junior School Art

From JSPA

A belated but sincere thanks to all who attended the Mothers Day Lunch on 12 May. We were delighted with the strong show of support from all those wonderful mothers, and a substantial amount was raised for the school. We hope everyone had a happy day.

The Professor Michael Carr-Gregg lecture will be held next Wednesday 31 May at 7.45pm in the Science Lecture Theatre (directions on the attached flyer)

Susan Hughes

Note for Parents of Year 5 from Class Reps

The overwhelming support by Year 5 Parents for the bowling afternoon, the recent morning coffee, the Mothers Day Lunch and the 150th Ball have influenced us to take a raincheck on the scheduled 1st June Yr 5 Cocktail Party. You can now breathe a sigh of relief as you put these dates in your diary:

From the Information Technology Department:

Over the past few months, the Junior School web site has undergone a major overhaul. It has a totally new look and it contains a diverse range of information. Each year level and subject area has its own page with information relevant for the current term. Parents and students are now able to check on things like upcoming excursion dates, assignments and sports fixtures. New content will be added to these pages each term. So spend some time exploring our exciting new web site. The web address can be found at the bottom of each newsletter cover page.

Mr Andrew Murdoch - Head of Information Technology