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11 May 2001 No. 13

From The Head of the Junior School

This week saw the celebration of the Centenary of Federation. Classes have been talking about this important facet and many parents will know that in order to celebrate this important event, the Federal Government has had a medallion struck for every primary aged student in Australia.

Whilst many children will have already received their medallions, the boys of our Junior School will receive theirs next Wednesday at a special Assembly that will be visited by the Federal Member for Kooyong, Mr Petro Gergiou. The medallion will be a special momento and keepsake.

Last night our Choir sang beautifully at the annual 'May Concert' and I extend special congratulations to Miss Allen, Mrs Piggin and importantly, the boys of our Choir on their wonderful performance.

Boys in the Upper Primary have commenced their '150th Tree Planting' activity in the wider community. Planting trees in local parks, under the guidance of the City of Boroondara, is one way in which the school has offered to give something back to the local community. The tree-planting schedule continues next week, with the boys of the Junior Primary planting trees within the school grounds. At a date still to be set, we will plant the 2001st tree in the grounds and this will be identified by a special plaque recognising our 150th year.

Next Friday will see our Prep Grandparents' Day and I trust that this will once again be a very special day for every boy involved. If past years are any indication, our boys and their special visitors are set for a rather exciting, if not just a little tiring, morning together.

Congratulations

Special congratulations are extended to Stuart Watson (6G) who was recently awarded an "A" for his Year 8 A.M.E.B Cello exam! What a marvellous achievement by this very talented young man. Stuart also went on the finish second in the 12 Years and Under section ant the Dandenong Eisteddfod. Well done, Stuart!

Traffic

Once again I seek the cooperation of every parent in obeying the traffic regulations set in Callantina Road. Apart from the obvious frustration and congestion that is caused through selfish driving practices, my main concern is for the safety of the boys - your sons! I am astounded at the number of drivers who so blatantly place the safety of themselves and others at such risk. Parents share their frustrations with the Office staff and myself but our hands are tied as the school has no jurisdiction outside our school gates. Our neighbours also continue to be annoyed at the blockages of their driveways and at the number of drivers who, after many requests not to do so, actually park in their driveways.

I fear that the safety of your sons is at great risk and I can only continue to urge drivers to be patient and obey the regulations in place. At the request of many parents, I have once again contacted the City of Boroondara By-Laws Department requesting a greater presence in Callantina Road. I know that many parents will view this process as simply 'revenue raising', but I see it as trying to ensure that every boy travelling to and from our great school, can do so safely.

I trust the many mums who were able to share in the JSPA Mothers' Day luncheon, held today, enjoyed themselves. My theme this week with the boys has been focussing on being grateful for the many things our mums do for us, especially the things we often do not see and sometimes take for granted.

I hope every mum is totally pampered on Sunday and be reassured that even though you may not always hear it from your son, the unconditional love that comes from a mum is so very appreciated.

My thought for the week is a tribute to Mums.

Was your Mum mean? I know ours was. We had the meanest mother in the
whole world! While other kids ate lollies for breakfast, we had to have cereal, egg, and toast.

When others had soft drink and a doughnut for lunch, we had to eat sandwiches.

And you can guess our mother fixed us a dinner that was different from what
other kids had, too.

Our mother insisted on knowing where we were at all times.

You'd think we were convicts in a prison!

She had to know who our friends were, and what we were doing with them.

She insisted that if we said we would be gone for an hour, we would be gone
for an hour or less.

We were ashamed to admit it, but she had the nerve to break the Child Labour

Laws by making us work. We had to wash the dishes, make the beds, learn to cook, vacuum the
floor, do laundry, take out the rubbish and all sorts of cruel jobs.

I think she would lie awake at night thinking of more things for us to do.

She always insisted on us telling the truth the whole truth, and nothing but
the truth. By the time we were teenagers, she could read our minds.

Then, life was really tough! Mother wouldn't let our friends just honk the
horn when they drove up. They had to come up to the door so she could meet
them. While everyone else could date when they were 12 or 13 we had to wait until
we were 16!

Because of our mother we missed out on lots of things other kids experienced.

None of us have ever been caught shoplifting, vandalizing others' property
or ever arrested for any crime. It was all her fault.

Now that we have left home, we are all educated, honest adults. We are
doing our best to be mean parents just like Mum was. I think that is what's wrong
with the world today.

It just doesn't have enough mean mums! (Author unknown)

Wishing every mum a special and very happy Mothers' Day!

Guy B. Mason

Reminder to Prep Parents

Grandparent's Day is next Friday (18 May)

Please notify Tania Castles in the Foundation Office (phone 9810 4300) of those grandparents who will be attending.

In the past boys must have had someone special to share the morning with and our special guests have enjoyed seeing the boys at work, learning more about the school and joining other guests for lunch in the Boykett Room afterwards.

If you have any enquiries, please contact Tania or myself.

Chris Robertson - Director of Junior Primary

JSPA

The boys had a delightful time choosing from an assortment of beautiful gifts for Mum and Grandma at the Mothers' Day Stall. We sold out over a thousand items by early afternoon and did not open the stall at pick-up time as previously advised.

Thank you to everyone who donated/sourced merchandise, who helped wrap the gifts and also to those who served at the stall on the day. The JSPA is appreciative of all the wonderful mums and dads who consistently come forward and offer their support, always!

There will be about 200 of us attending the Mothers' Day Luncheon at the Fenix Restaurant when this newsletter goes to print - the lucky ones walking away with fabulous prizes (totalling over $8000!!) I shall report to you faithfully next week….

To all the Scotch mums,

HAVE A GREAT MOTHERS' DAY!

Mrs Alice Chan - President, JSPA

Father and Son Tennis Night

It is proposed to have a Father and Sons Tennis Night at Kooyong Tennis Club on Friday 25 May at 7.00 pm. Cost of $25.00 per pair, payable on the night, which will be inclusive of snacks afterwards. Buy your own drinks.

RSVP: To Don McLean, JSPA Box in Junior School Foyer or phone Don McLean on 9853 7553 by 21 May.

Forthcoming Events