Reaching the end of Week 3, a sense of having ‘settled in’ to the new school year is upon us. A familiarity with new teachers, peers, timetables and play spaces has grown and there is truly a feeling of being well on our way with our 2024 learning journey.

With many periods of change and the resulting adjustments, we often spend time pondering what will be different, perhaps more difficult, and certainly working through the complexities that arise from having to operate in new ways. This was certainly the case in the final part of last year and over the summer break, as we prepared to live and work all together in one space from Reception to Year 6 while we eagerly await the completion of our new Lower Junior School learning area. Despite the necessary adjustments and new routines, we have found the most wonderful sense of being together—of our teachers collaborating throughout the day, and our girls connecting and sharing spaces. It has been a timely reminder that while change can feel challenging, and the unknown can perhaps be daunting, new opportunities arise that we would not have otherwise.

Our Year 6 Semester 1 Leadership Group were presented to our Principal, Mrs Belinda Arnfield, in front of their parents, teachers and Junior School peers at their Badge Presentation assembly last week. Undertaking the nomination and election process in November last year, this group of girls finally stepped into their roles this week. They will plan their first round of committee meetings in Week 4 and projects in their individual areas in the coming semester.

Our new President, Lila Nassery, delivered a carefully considered, inclusive and inspirational speech on this day, which I would like to share with you here:

Good morning Mrs Arnfield, Mrs McCarthy, special guests and students.

My name is Lila Nassery, and I am honoured to be your Semester 1 president for 2024. I am so incredibly grateful for this amazing opportunity to display my leadership and I am so excited to work with my team to positively influence our Junior School. What an opportunity awaits us as your 2024 Junior School leadership team! Having our whole Junior School in the one location gives us the ability to foster a greater sense of community. With the Year 6 cohort leading by example, together we can all have the confidence to make a positive impact. As your president this semester, I will support and encourage every single one of you to be true to yourself and make everyone feel welcome in our school community. I promise to lead with passion, and I hope I can make every one of you feel included and welcomed every day.

Thank you.

I am proud to share with you our Semester 1 Junior School SRC Leadership Group.

Executive

• President – Lila Nassery
• Vice President – Alice Gao
• Secretary – Maim Jibran

Committee Leaders

• Citizenship Representative – Leona Aquino
• Environment Representative – Sharanya Reddy
• Library Representative – Isha Wechalekar
• Media Representative – Rosie Morgan
• Peer Support Representative – Noor Jilaihawi and Madison Mason
• Performing Arts Representative – Caitlyn Lau
• Sport Representative – Emilia Varrichio
• Student Foundation Representative – Leila Nguyen

Year Level Representatives

• Year 2 Representative – Audrey George
• Year 3 Representative – Fatima Muazzam
• Year 4 Representative – Scarlett Drew Wallman
• Year 5 Representative – Saanika Singhal

House Captains

• Amaryllis – Primmy Grewal and Ella Cosenza
• Antholiza – Cedra Sawad and Alana Munt
• Carob – Emma Burns and Gurnoor Sohi
• Cedar – Alina Teng and Sophia Lehman
• Sparaxis – Adeline Wilson and Lily Costoglou

Road Safety

A reminder to please take extra care when dropping off and picking up students. We particularly request that parents do not double park or attempt U-turns on Hawkers Road, or other roads near the School, to prioritise the safety of both pedestrians and other vehicles. We hope all parents will model responsible road safety and show respect to our girls, parents and staff.

Please also remind your daughters to be vigilant when crossing Hawkers Road or Northcote Terrace to access the school grounds – to look up from their phones and remove their headphones/ear buds before crossing the road – to avoid distraction from their surroundings and potential danger.

Thank you for helping to keep our community safe.