Alphabet Day is Coming – and You are Invited to Join the Fun!

We are excited to announce that on Friday 2 May (Week 1, Term 2), we will be celebrating Alphabet Day – a fun and imaginative event where students are encouraged to dress up as something beginning with one of their initials.

This year, we are inviting our wonderful parent community to get involved too! Whether you are helping in the classroom, attending morning drop-off, or just joining in the excitement, we would love to see you dressed as something that starts with your own initials. Your involvement brings an extra layer of fun and connection for everyone.

To add a twist of creativity, each letter will be given its Scrabble tile value, and we will be tallying up points based on costume themes! Here are a few examples:

• Pirate (P = 3, I = 1, R = 1, A = 1, T = 1, E = 1) → Total = 8 points
• Astronaut (A = 1, S = 1, T = 1, R = 1, O = 1, N = 1, A = 1, U = 1, T = 1) → Total = 9 points
• Doctor (D = 2, O = 1, C = 3, T = 1, O = 1, R = 1) → Total = 9 points

It is a great way to bring some wordplay into our day and celebrate the A to Z of imagi-nation!

For those new to our community, last year’s Harry Potter Day transformed the Junior Campus into a magical Hogwarts. This year, Alphabet Day is shaping up to be just as colourful and creative, with students, staff and now parents all taking part.

Our teachers are already busily planning their own outfits, and the entire staff is once again getting involved to make the day extra special. We can’t wait to see what clever, original and high-scoring costume ideas come to life!

Sports Day

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of our Sports Day! From the early morning setup to the final race, the day ran smoothly thanks to the support and enthusiasm of our staff, students, and volunteers. The sense of community was truly evident, with everyone coming together to cheer on the boys, encourage one another, and celebrate the spirit of friendly competition.

A special thank you to Mr B and Mr Megins for their outstanding coordination of the day’s events. Their careful planning, organisation, and energy ensured the boys felt confident, prepared, and excited to take part in every activity. The oval was awash with house colours, and it was fantastic to see not only the students proudly representing their teams, but also so many parents and caregivers joining in, dressed in their son’s house colours. Your presence created a vibrant and joyful atmosphere, making the day even more special for our school community.

Waterford House wins the Junior Campus Sports Day Cup

Nagle House winners of the Combined Sport Days Trophy

Congratulations to Nagle who were the combined Junior Campus and Senior Campus winners. In the Junior Campus it was Waterford who came out on top in the events of the day displaying outstanding sportsmanship and a positive attitude throughout.  Avila was awarded the House Spirit Trophy; their encouragement of teammates, respectful behaviour, and enthusiasm reflected the true spirit of the day.  Well done to all!

Thank you once again to everyone who made the day such a wonderful celebration of teamwork, resilience, and school spirit.

Year 5 Camp to Port Hughes

Our Year 5 students have had an unforgettable time at camp in Port Hughes, taking full advantage of the beautiful coastal setting and a wide variety of hands-on outdoor activities. From fishing and snorkelling to kayaking, raft building, and kart construction, the boys embraced every challenge with enthusiasm and teamwork. While the mornings were cool, the afternoons brought perfect weather for outdoor fun, and the students made the most of every moment.

We’ve been incredibly impressed by the boys’ behaviour, their positive attitudes, and the respectful way they conducted themselves within their groups. Their cooperation and willingness to support one another truly stood out. A heartfelt thank you to Mr Simon Nardecchia, Ms Lauren Mercer, Mrs Sara Papathanasopoulos, Ms Shenae Dougan, and Mr Oliver Megins for generously giving their time and energy to accompany the boys on this trip. Their care and leadership made this experience so special for our Year 5 cohort.

Term 2 Uniform Reminder – Blazer and Tie Required

As we approach the end of Term 1, we would like to remind families of the uniform expectations for Term 2, which includes the transition to the formal winter uniform.

From the first day of Term 2, all students are required to wear their college blazer and tie as part of the full winter uniform. These items are an important part of our school’s identity and reflect the pride we take in presentation and belonging to our community.

To ensure your son is fully prepared, we strongly encourage you to have him try on his uniform during the break to check for sizing and fit. This will allow ample time to purchase any new or replacement items from the Uniform Shop before the start of the new term.

As always, we appreciate your support in upholding the college’s uniform expectations and helping your son start Term 2 with confidence and pride.

If you have any questions regarding uniform requirements or shop opening hours, please don’t hesitate to contact the school.

Project Compassion – Lenten Activities

This week marked the end of our Lenten activities, with our final fundraiser – Guess the Number of Eggs in the Jar – bringing plenty of excitement and friendly competition!

A heartfelt thank you to everyone for your incredible generosity and support throughout Lent. Thanks to your contributions, we have raised over $1,200 for Project Compassion, helping support the important work of Caritas Australia in communities around the world.

Your kindness and spirit of giving truly reflect the values we aim to instil in our students. Well done to everyone involved!

Holy Week

As we enter Holy Week, we are invited to pause and reflect on the profound journey of Jesus's final days, leading to His death and resurrection. It is a time of solemn remembrance, but also one of great hope. Holy Week reminds us of the deep love, sacrifice, and compassion that Christ showed for all of humanity. In the busyness of our lives, this sacred time calls us to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with our faith and the values that matter most–kindness, forgiveness, humility, and love.

We also take this moment to thank you, our families, for sharing your sons with us. We are truly grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside them each day, to guide, support, and celebrate their growth. It is a privilege we don’t take for granted, and we appreciate every moment we have with them. As we journey toward Easter, may we all carry a renewed sense of gratitude, hope, and connection – both in our school community and in our own lives.

Learner Review Meetings Advanced Warning

On Monday 12 May, we will be holding our Learner Review Conversations, a valuable opportunity for students to take an active role in sharing their learning journey. Please note that this day is a pupil-free day; however, it is compulsory that your son accompanies you, as he will be leading the conversation. Each student will have thoughtfully prepared what they wish to share, including reflections on their achievements, challenges, and goals. These conversations are a powerful way to encourage student ownership of learning and to celebrate progress together.

You will receive an email invitation (not SEQTA) to book your 15-minute conversation early next month. If you would like to discuss anything in more detail or speak specifically about your son’s academic progress or wellbeing, we kindly ask that you arrange a separate meeting time with the class teacher. We look forward to welcoming you and your son to these important conversations and thank you for your continued support in fostering a strong partnership in his learning.

Turning Little Drawings into Big Impact – Tea Towel Fundraiser

The Junior Campus is running a Tea Towel Fundraiser to raise money for a Lego wall in the wellbeing Room.

Our limited-edition Tea Towel design will be made up of self-portraits drawn by all our children and staff. Just like a yearbook on a tea towel. The pictures and names will be arranged all together as a commemorative design and then screen printed onto certified organic 100% cotton 50x70cm tea towels.

As well as being great for lint-free dish drying, the tea towels look fantastic and are a long-lasting memento for your children and their friends. They make great gifts that are easily mailed to relatives, so make sure you order a few extras for family members and your keepsake box.

The kids just love seeing their artwork in print. By purchasing our tea towels you are not only receiving a practical keepsake, but you are also helping to achieve our fundraising goal, which would not be possible without your support!  The more we sell the more Lego we will be able to purchase.

The price per towel is $20.

The Tea Towel print run is limited so make sure you, your family and friends don't miss out. There is an example tea towel on display in the front office at the Junior Campus, so you can see the quality and size.

Tea towels can be ordered on the QKR! app and final Orders are due: Tuesday 29 April at 9am.

Teacher Spotlight: Ms Ann Ozgo

What inspired you to become a teacher?

I was looking to learn for a change after a lengthy time in my previous school and was offered a year’s exchange. I learnt very quickly that what I thought had been good practice with boys was actually OK practice. I set about learning as much as I could with an amazing set of mentors on the Junior Campus. I enjoy teaching the boys – hands on, explain it to me, and don’t try to fool me! I also continue to work with amazing colleagues.

What is one lesson or skill you hope every student takes away from your class?

The importance of growing and maintaining a Growth Mindset would be the one thing I wish for every student to understand. Challenge, change, and success are a part of their life. If we learn what can be changed and improved we can make a huge difference, personally and on a wider scale. As colleagues say, 'Make a plan, and be ready to make plan B.'

What’s a fun fact about you that might surprise students or parents?

My father was a mechanic and a passionate motoring enthusiast, with both vintage touring cars and racing cars. I’m not so good on the mechanics but have spent a lot of time at racetracks as a pit crew or a race commentator. I even managed to commentate for the Clipsal 500, Adelaide Rally and the Adelaide Motorsport Festival. I’m still very much involved with my car club.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received about teaching?

I’ve been lucky to work with great people who have shared with me so …

• Be flexible – you never know what the day will bring.
• Always remember that tomorrow is a new day with new chances for everyone.
• Sometimes a lesson is just not going to work – give it up!
• As a teacher, I need to keep on learning!

What role do you think parents play in supporting their child’s education?

Parents are critical to a student's learning. It is from parents that our attitudes towards school and learning begin – like a love of books because bedtime stories were such an important part of each day. Answering and encouraging the thousands of questions, exposing our children to new experiences even as simple as exploring a rock pool or watching birds in the garden. It makes me sad to see children in shopping carts and restaurants with a device rather than being engaged in conversation.

How do you stay motivated and inspired as a teacher?

Every 'ah ha moment', every 'Oh, that’s how you do it.' And most recently, 'I know you sometimes get cross with me but you are my best teacher ever, so far.'

 

Teacher Spotlight: Ms Jo Tao

What inspired you to become a teacher?

My parents. My mum was an English teacher, and my dad was a Physics teacher.

How long have you been teaching, and what subjects/grades have you taught?

I have been teaching for 13 years, I have taught Chinese from reception to Year 9, Year 8 Maths and Year 11 Business and Enterprise.

How do you create a positive and engaging learning environment in your classroom?

Build positive relationships with my students, by initiating Chinese greetings at the start of the lesson and letting students have student autonomy.

What do you enjoy doing outside of teaching (hobbies, sports, travel, etc.)?

Hiking, cooking and travelling.

What are you most looking forward to this school year?

As I am starting to teach typing Chinese words for Year 3s and 4s this year, I am really looking forward to seeing how much my students can achieve by the end of the year.

What is the most rewarding moment you’ve had as a teacher?

The most rewarding moment I have had as a teacher is the look in the eyes of a student who struggles with a topic and suddenly understands the concept after different methods of approach. The joy of realising and understanding of the topic from that student.

Key Dates

• Monday 28 April – Term 2 starts
• Friday 2 May – Alphabet Day
• Monday 5 May – JC Photo Day
• Thursday 8 May – Mother's Day stall
• Friday 9 May – Mother’s Day Breakfast / JC Assembly 9am
• Monday 12 May – Pupil Free Day for Learner Reviews
• Friday 30 May – Wear it Yellow Day for Children’s Ground

Mrs Alison Ronoastro
Head of Junior Campus