Friday 6 May: Junior School Wrap Up
Dear Parents and Carers,
The rain this morning could not dampen the Mother’s Day festivities as our school came together for breakfast, to celebrate our mums and all the other special women in our lives.
Thank you to the families that attended, and please drop in for a Yalburru Community Cafe breakfast again sometime soon.
Our ELC and Prep mums were pampered and spoiled at the Mother’s Day Mingle this afternoon while enjoying some special time with their young ones.
Also this morning, our Year 5 Gold Rushers braved the wet weather to go on their interactive excursion.
I look forward to hearing their tales of the day when they return to campus.
Mother’s Day Junior School Gifts Stall
A very big thank you to the parent volunteer group that organised and ran the Mother’s Day Stall this week.
It was the most popular shop on campus today and I hope that our mums enjoy their thoughtfully purchased gifts on Sunday.
“It Takes a Village” Partnership Program
As you have seen in the Junior School Parents Information Briefing earlier in the year (Link to YouTube), I strongly believe the students at Canterbury benefit most when all members of their community work together in partnership.
You will soon receive information regarding a new initiative we have called the It Takes A Village Partnership Program.
This program will see regular information, training and personal development sessions for parents and other community members, to come on campus and learn about and contribute to the Junior School.
Initial plans are to run sessions regarding volunteering at the school and cyber safety for students.
Later in the year, I will be asking our community members for their input to further develop what I hope will become a hallmark program here at Canterbury.
Outside School Hours Care
In the next week, parents who previously provided feedback to me regarding the Camp Australia Outside School Hours Care program will receive a follow-up survey.
I am keen to know if parents are noticing changes on the ground as we work with Camp Australia to continuously improve.
Please continue to provide general feedback to me at any time.
Under 8s Day
Our annual celebration of childhood – the Under 8s Day, is fast approaching and our Prep to Year 2 teams are planning creative activities for our students and their visiting parents and carers on the day.
To support these activities, we are asking families to donate the following items if they have them available:
- cardboard boxes and tubes
- paper plates
- streamers
- bamboo canes or other items suitable for frame building
- costumes, dress-ups and wigs (donations only as these cannot be returned)
- marbles
- general craft items to encourage creativity.
Uniforms Update
I have received some feedback regarding availability issues with Winter Uniform stock.
We understand the frustration this is continuing to cause and thank our families for their patience as we continue to work with The School Locker to consolidate our supplies.
Within the next few days the Communications Department will be publishing an update on all stock levels and availability.
Please be assured that staff will take uniform availability into consideration when speaking to students about their uniform wearing.
Prep 2023 Parent Information Evening
Parents with students in the Early Learning Centre who have applied for a position in Prep next year, will have received an offer of enrolment from Debbie Milne our College Registrar.
If you have not yet received an expected offer, please contact Debbie on or 07 3299 0822.
Attached to the offer of enrolment is an invitation to the Prep 2023 Parent Information Evening.
At this evening we will run through the orientation program planned for later in the year, some general information about Prep at Canterbury, and allow time for any questions you may have.
Please RSVP via the link on the invitation.
Library Borrowing
I ask that parents and carers please remind our students to be proactive in their use of the library.
Students are given the opportunity in class each week to borrow books from the library.
We ask that students take these books home, enjoy reading them, then return them the following week, and borrow another book.
If students are struggling to find books that spark their interest, a chat with our wonderful Teacher Librarian Ms Anita Pendreigh will set them on the right track – as there is a book for every interest in the Junior School Discovery Centre.
As educators and parents, we know that daily reading is a fundamental part of children’s literacy development, so time spent reading a book is time well invested.
Junior School Musical – The Lion King
Earlier this week, students and parents received letters confirming student placements as a principal cast member or ensemble member for the 2022 Junior School production of The Lion King.
Congratulations to all students who auditioned; you showed great courage and community spirit.
Our cast members now have many weeks of challenging, yet rewarding rehearsals ahead of them.
More information will come from the production team regarding rehearsal dates and details, and opportunities for students and parents to volunteer their time in support of the show.
| Role | Performer |
| Sarabi | Isabella Heath (Yr 6) and Ella Hay (Yr 6) |
| Young Simba | Johnathan Hang (Yr 4) and Brody Huckin (Yr 4) |
| Young Nala | Haeun Bae (Yr 4) and Sarah Noy (Yr 4) |
| Nala | Indie Godfrey (Yr 5) and Hannah Kelmanson (Yr 5) |
| Banzai | Max Suckling (Yr 4) and Patrick Marr (Yr 4) |
| Shenzi | Arabella Carr (Yr 6) and Sarah Clarke (Yr 5) |
| Mufasa | Mujtaba Shah (Yr 6) |
| Rafiki | Jasmine Nolan (Yr 5) |
| Zazu | Arista Ebenezer (Y 5) |
| Scar | Ava Heath (Yr 6) |
| Simba | Lyla Ries (Yr 6) |
| Sarafina | Charlotte Ayres (Yr 6) |
| Ed | Humdhaan Ikhlas (Yr 5) |
| Timon | Alec Wylie (Yr 6) |
| Pumbaa | Charli List (Yr 6) |
Upcoming Dates
| Saturday 7 May | Junior TAS Round 2 |
| Tuesday 10 May | Year 3 and Year 5 NAPLAN Writing Test |
| Wednesday 11 May | Year 3 and Year 5 NAPLAN Reading Test |
| Thursday 12 May | Year 3 and Year 5 NAPLAN Conventions of Language Test |
| Saturday 14 May | Junior TAS Round 3 |
| Monday 16 May | Prep 2023 Parent Information Evening |
| Tuesday 17 May | Year 3 and Year 5 NAPLAN Numeracy Test |
| Friday 20 May | Junior TAS Cross-Country Championships |
I wish all Mums and other carers in our community a relaxing Mother’s Day bathed in the love of your families and friends.
I will see our students back for the first Monday timetable in a few weeks next week.
Yours faithfully
Michelle Leftwich
Head of Junior School