Excursions and Incursions
Excursions are part of the College’s plan to provide students with a range of learning opportunities.
In Kindergarten and Pre Primary incursions are favoured and students are enriched through programs that visit them in their familiar learning environments. Incursions in the form of guests are invited into the College to enhance student programs during certain weeks of the year.
Camps
Year 5 students have a short camp 2-3 day camp annually. It is a time for students to grow their level of independence and to connect with new teachers and classmates at the beginning of the year.
A Year 6 College trip to Sydney and Canberra becomes part of the students’ final year in the Junior School. This trip is a highlight of the year for students as they travel to Sydney, the Snowfields at Blue Cow and Canberra.
They learn about Government and the history of our Government, visiting Parliament House and old Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, and the National Museum of Australia. There are also fun visits to Questacon and the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, and the Sydney Tower and Harbour Bridge, Taronga Zoo and the Sydney Aquarium in Sydney.
The trip is an amazing opportunity for the Year 6 students to link classroom learning with the real world.
Missions
Over a number of years the Junior School has supported the people of the Philippines through education and fundraising.
Each year the Junior School holds a Philippines Day to celebrate the Philippines, celebrate what we have in Australia and consider those in need. Students participate in an obstacle course fun run that included lots of fun challenges.
The students raise a substantial amount of money every year thanks to sponsorship collected. Funds go toward providing sound nutrition, healthcare and a solid education to children in the Philippines.
The Arts
At the Junior School an important emphasis is placed on Arts and Media in the curriculum.
The benefits of performance and media arts education have been reinforced by educational research: “Piano lessons lift students’ science skills” said a recent newspaper headline, while “Can Mozart make math add up?” inquired New Scientist, both reporting on studies where children studying a musical instrument scored an average 34 percent higher on basic mental tests than other groups
For Christians the Arts have further significance. The Bible is full of poetry, dance, artistic decoration and ritual, and two books are entirely composed of poems and song lyrics (Song of Songs and Psalms). Music, poetry, painting and dance have all been essential as vehicles for worship throughout two thousand years of the Church.
The importance of studying Media is also relevant given the Media’s power and extent in the modern world. The Media brings news, influences opinions, promotes business and creates culture and entertainment.
Music
Interested students participate in an instrumental program on a weekly basis, with the assistance of tutors for a variety of instruments. The Instrumental program is arranged through the College. Orchestra and band are organised after school or at lunch times for all students learning an instrument. Years 3 to 6 students will have the opportunity to participate in a choir. Ensembles are also on offer for instrumental groups and percussion. Music is a specialist curriculum subject given to all students in Years 1 to 6.
Chess
With the expertise of a talented class teacher, the Junior School offers an exceptional chess program across the Junior School classes. It is used to build social connections with students from older grades teaching younger students and as a competitive skill for talented students. Students participate in Inter-House and Inter-School Competitions. This acts as both a school and extra curricular learning area. Our teams have represented the College in State and National finals.
Physical Education
The goal of Physical Education at the Junior School is to equip students with the necessary skills for a lifetime of participation in and enjoyment of physical activity. Students are encouraged to develop positive sporting ethics including concepts of fair play and teamwork. Strong interpersonal skills are considered part of the Health program.
Interhouse competitions in swimming and athletics are held each year. Students are also selected to represent the College in the interschool competitions. These competitions include swimming, cross country, athletics and a variety of team games.
Sport is taught as a specialist subject in Years 1 to 6 and after-school programs run seasonally. Interest in community participation is encouraged and so equestrian sports, judo, fencing, soft cross and ballroom dancing have all been encouraged at the College as part of the Keep Active sport program.
All students are allocated to a House on their enrolment and children can earn house points for their teams over the year. Our houses are Bell, Bennett, Kennedy, Mungulu and Shenton.
Leadership
Leadership skills and responsibilities in a team environment build the character of the students into discerning young people. They learn to cope with the pressures of peers’ and others’ expectations in a supported community. Children are expected to be able to work independently and take responsibility for their own learning. Year 6 student leaders take on roles in the following areas key areas:
- Pastoral care of students in the lower grades
- Leadership of formal events
- Community service
- Sport
- Values building
- Media and arts development.
