Scotch College Melbourne Junior School Newsletter

Deo Patriae Litteris


Art News
Resource Centre
Thank You
PE Department
Music Notice
Christmas Service
Giving Tree
Reports
Forthcoming dates

3 December 1999 No. 37

G B Mason

From the Head of Junior School

As the school year draws to a close next Wednesday, it is hard to believe that this will be the last Newsletter for 1999. The speed at which the year has passed by reassures me (I think!) that it has been a great year and I would like to thank the parent and wider community for their support, in so many areas, throughout the year.

Last night, boys in Years Three to Six came together for our annual Speech Night, sharing in the celebrations of the Graduation of Year Six. I thank all families who attended this important occasion and extend best wishes to our Year Six boys who take the 'big leap' into the Senior School.

Speech Night concluded a reflective day for the boys of Year Six, who spent a good part of the day remembering their time in the primary school and thinking about the years to come. It would seem that these boys are well prepared to take the giant leap into the Senior School and they leave the Junior School with our best wishes, our thanks for their leadership and our prayers for continued success and happiness.

For the boys, a number of special activities will occur next week, the highlight of which will be the annual Prep to Six Christmas Service, which is led by the boys of the Junior Primary department. This is set to be a wonderful conclusion to our school year, with the focus clearly on the true Christmas message.

I look forward to sharing this very special occasion with the boys and extend an invitation to families to also share in, what is always, a wonderful afternoon.

This week, I encouraged the boys to remain focussed on the true meaning of Christmas. It is easy to get caught up in the hype of exciting shop displays and advertising jingles encouraging us to think about other things, rather than the birth of Jesus.

As the week has gone by, it is clear that the boys have been thinking about others and demonstrated this through their generous donations to the 'Giving Tree'. I was overwhelmed at the amount of items brought for less fortunate families and I thank all those who have contributed so generously. Today, a visitor from Anglicare attended Assembly to receive our gifts. Well done, boys!!

"Glory to God in the highest Heaven,
and peace on earth to those
with whom he is pleased!"

(Luke 2:14)


My final thought for the week

When you come to the edge of all the light you know,
and are about to step off into the darkness of the
unknown, faith is knowing one of two things will
happen: There will be something solid to stand
on or you will be taught how to fly.

With my best wishes to you all for a very Happy Christmas.

Guy B Mason

Art News

A special thank you to all parents, nannies and grandparents who helped in the Art Room during 1999. It has been greatly appreciated and I know the boys like seeing their family helping in Art.

Over the holidays please collect small sheets if you are going to the beach. In the New Year I would appreciate old calendars with paintings on them, old Christmas cards and eggs cartons.

Mrs Susan Ferres
Head of Junior School Art

From the Resource Centre

We have vacancies for a few parent helpers for 2000, as some of our Year Six parents move on to Senior School. Duties can include shelving, covering books, helping with displays, borrowing and returning books.

There is a weekly roster, with duties being completed in the mornings.

If you would like to help, or require further information, please phone Alison Hindson on 9810 4235.

Alison Hindson
Coordinator of Resource Centre

Thank you

I would just like to take this opportunity, in this the last Newsletter that I will be doing, to thank all the parents for making me feel so welcome over the last year. To the teachers and staff whom I have had the privilege of working with I would also like to thank them, for their professionalism and friendship, that I will always cherish. I believe the boys are very lucky to have such a group of people in charge of their education.

When I think about what I will miss the most the boys come instantly to mind. From the raucous babble in the courtyard of a morning to the band aids applied at lunchtime, these will be some of my most vivid memories.

Thank you again and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year.

Go the Crows??!!

Fiona Curran

P.E. Department

Congratulations to the following boys who represented Scotch on Saturday morning in a round robin water polo competition against four other AGS schools at Hawthorn Aquatic Centre. The boys were runners up in the competition after winning three of their matches.

The boys have been attending early morning (7.00am) training sessions with Mr Sutton during the year.

Andrew McCahey

Alexi Ouzas

Matt Wallace-Smith

David Taylor

Tom Lawrence

Alex Booth

Torquil Anderson

Sandy Buchanan

Alexander Zielke

Alexander Williams

Music Notice

Please note that students who are terminating their instrumental tuition at the end of this year, should return hired instruments to the school.

Those boys who are continuing with lessons next year may return their hired instruments during the holidays.

Jenni Allen
Head of Junior School Music

Christmas Service

Just a reminder that the Junior School Christmas Service will take place at 2pm on Tuesday 7 December in the Memorial Hall. The Junior Primary boys will lead the service.

All P-3 boys have received notices regarding their costume requirements. All costumes must be at school on Monday for the dress rehearsal.

We are looking forward to seeing many families and friends at this very special event on the Junior School calendar.

Chris Robertson
Director of Junior Primary

Giving Tree

We have had a fantastic response to this year's 'Giving Tree'. Many thanks to those who gave presents and food.

Due to our efforts there will be many happy boys and girls this Christmas.

Once again thank you for your generous support.

Liz Wyatt
RIL Co-ordinator

Reports

The end of year reports for all boys in the Junior School will be sent home on Monday, 6 December. The staff have spent a considerable amount of time putting together a report that is an accurate evaluation of the boy's level of achievement in each Key Learning Area and a reflection of his efforts and attitude towards learning. When you receive your report, you will notice significant changes in the format. These changes are aimed to give you more information about your son's skills, knowledge, attitudes and values. Please read the attached letter in conjunction with the report, as this will assist you in understanding the report format.

All Prep to Year Four boys will also will also bring home their Portfolio of work that has been collated during the first three terms of 1999. This record of the boy's work, demonstrates his development and achievement related to specific areas of work. It may be kept by parents.

Brian Sampson
Director of Studies

Forthcoming dates:

Tuesday 7 December

Prep - Year Six Christmas Service - Memorial Hall 2.00 pm

Wednesday 8 December

Last Day of Term Four 12.00 Midday


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Created: December 1999. Last modified: 5 December 1999.
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