As we conclude Term 3 and reflect upon all that our Junior School has been involved in during the last 10 weeks, it is difficult to believe that we began our term in lockdown and remote learning.

We feel exceptionally lucky to be finishing the term learning together face to face, unlike so many of our interstate counterparts. While we still live with certain restrictions, with mask-wearing, QR code check-ins and reduced capacities for events, the fact that we have had our girls in our classrooms, collaborating, participating in co-curricular activities and attending excursions is something we are very grateful for.

Year 6 Camp

One such event that was in doubt only a few months ago was the Year 6 camp. It was a delight to farewell the 59 Year 6 girls and six teachers on Tuesday morning as they left for a fun-filled three-night camp on beautiful Kangaroo Island.

In place of our usual educational tour to Canberra, our Year 6 girls engaged in a broad range of activities on Kangaroo Island, with a focus on Outdoor Education and sustainability. The girls took surfing lessons, sand boarded, attended tours to learn about honey production, and visited a number of national parks and natural environments. They also heard from locals who lived through the bushfires of 2020 and learnt about how they are renewing flora and fauna of the island. A wonderful finish to the camp was returning to school on Friday afternoon, only to step off the bus and begin their term holidays.

Chess Finals

Our Junior Chess Club girls attended the 2021 Primary Schools C Grade Chess Finals at the Adelaide Chess Centre on Friday 17 September. Expertly coached by Mrs Lorraine Gormley, the girls, ranging from Years 3 to 6, competed ably and with great focus. The teams finished the competition in 8th and 9th places.

Congratulations to all of the girls for an enthusiastic Inter-School Chess Competition season.

Junior School Swimming Carnival

Our Junior School Swimming Carnival was held on Friday 17 September, with girls from Years 3 to 6 attending the event at the Adelaide Aquatics Centre.

As always, the Year 6 House Captains spent significant time preparing to lead each of their Houses in cheers, dressing up in their House colours and ensuring that their House was well represented in both the pool and supporting in the stands.

Thank you to the Sport and PE faculties for their organisation of the event, both in the lead-up and on the day. I am delighted to share with you the following results:

• Bowen Shield for Team Games – Sparaxis
• GA Black Shield for Overall Points – Sparaxis
• House Spirit Cup – Amaryllis
• Highest Aggregate Individual Points Runner Up – Evangeline Lee – Sparaxis
• Highest Aggregate Individual Points First Place – Poppy Ritchie – Antholiza

Year 4 Excursion to the Maritime Museum

On Wednesday, the Year 4 classes visited the Port Adelaide Maritime Museum to learn about the First Fleet. They were fascinated to see the displays of old ships with their complicated rigging and huge sails. They learned lots about the difficult journeys from the past and certainly gained an appreciation for modern-day travel. The girls were lucky enough and very grateful to see dolphins during their short 'cruise' on the Port River. Thank you to the parent volunteers who gave up their time to assist the group on the day.

Year 6 Ride a Bike Right

During Week 8, the Year 6 girls participated in the Ride a Bike Right Program. It was a practical and progressive program for all students and was delivered by qualified instructors supported by PE staff.

The program builds student knowledge and understanding of road laws and traffic environments, develops bike handling and maintenance skills and develops decision-making skills for off and on-road bike riding.

The three consecutive Ride a Bike Right lessons helped to prepare the girls for the upcoming Year 6 Outdoor Education ‘Sea to Summit’ biking experience, presenting personal challenges and exciting outdoor experiences in a safe and supportive environment.

Thank you to Ms Michele Ostermann, Mr Kieran Jackson, Ms Laura Sieradzki and Ms Jill Bradford for their support of the program.

I’d like to take this opportunity to wish each of you a restful break which, hopefully, includes some opportunities to do things that you love with those you love most. I look forward to welcoming you back on Monday 11 October, as we commence Term 4.

Code Camp

Due to a short and busy Term 4, we will not be offering Code Camp for students next term. We look forward to welcoming the Code Camp team back in 2022 and will communicate information about this next year.