From the Head of Junior Campus
Year 6 Canberra Trip – A Memorable Experience!
I hope everyone had the chance to see the photos from our recent Year 6 trip to Canberra on our Facebook page. It was a fantastic experience for the boys, and, while we all returned exhausted, the memories and learning opportunities made it truly worthwhile.
This year, we were fortunate to have beautiful weather throughout the trip. Mornings started off chilly, but by lunchtime the sun was shining, making for perfect sightseeing conditions.
We visited many incredible places, and at each stop, the boys' exceptional behaviour was consistently praised – even by the airline staff on our final flight home! It’s safe to say that the pizza lunch Mr Johnston promised was a well-deserved reward!
In addition to our packed itinerary, we managed to fit in some bonus experiences:
- A walk around the National Carillon (Bell Tower)
- A visit to the Pompeii exhibition at the National Museum, an interactive display on loan from Naples. The boys were fascinated by the simulation of Mount Vesuvius erupting, covering Pompeii in hot ash and pumice stones—a truly immersive experience!
The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion, the Australian Government is contributing funding to our school in the amount of $90 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.
A Big Thank You!
A huge thank you to the wonderful staff who accompanied me and the boys and ensured everything ran smoothly: Mrs Sandra Buchanan, Mrs Karen Chambers, Mrs Kathryn Brink, Mr Dylan Cook and Mr David Johnston.
And of course, a special thank you to all the parents for allowing their sons to participate in this incredible educational experience.
We look forward to sharing more adventures in the future!
Year 6s visiting Canberra
Mum’s Night Out
Our first Mum’s Night Out for the year is happening on Wednesday 5 March, and we’d love you to join us!
An invitation has been sent via SEQTA, so if you would still like to add your name to the list, please do so by Monday 3 March. If you’ve already confirmed your attendance, I will send out a follow-up message with the location details.
- Date: Wednesday 5 March
- Time: 6:15pm
- Location: To be confirmed for attendees
I look forward to seeing many of you there for a great evening!
Parents and Friends Association
This term, the Parents and Friends Association is running a couple of fundraisers.
Firstly, they are running the Cookie Dough fundraiser again, and your son would have brought home more information about this during the week.
Billy G’s Gourmet Cookie Dough is an exciting fundraiser made by an Australian, family-owned and operated business. There are ten (10) dough-licious flavours to choose from, including the most popular Choc Chunk and the new Cinnamon Donut Cookie Dough! You can also create your own cookie magic at home with our Golden Classic flavour by adding your own mix-ins to your cookies when you bake them! There is even something for your special furry friends, with a cheese-flavoured Doggie Dough! Billy G’s Gourmet Cookie Dough is exclusive to fundraising – so stock up!
Get started! Cookie dough orders must be placed online using the online platform. Create your child’s profile by visiting cookiedough.com.au, clicking on the Register Button and following the Prompts. Orders are open from Wednesday 26 February until 19 March, so make sure you get rolling and create your online fundraising page today!
How do prizes work? Every person who sells two or more tubs will receive an incentive prize for their efforts! But why not aim higher? The more tubs you sell the more prizes you will receive! There are 11 prizes up for grabs, so why not set your own fundraising goal and aim for them all? Prizes are automatically ordered at the end of our fundraiser based on the number of tubs you have sold.
Family and friends are your greatest supporters, so make sure you ask them for support. You will reach your fundraising goal in no time!
You can Win Big! Our highest tub seller will go into a draw to win a PlayStation 5 Gaming Bundle. For every tub you sell or buy, you will also receive one entry into the draw to win $20,000 Cash. Plus, every person who achieves all online virtual badges will win an additional Gold Dig Out prize.
Register and order your Cookie Dough at cookiedough.com.au
Limited CBC Jibbitz for Crocs!
Show your school pride and get these custom charms for your Crocs.
✅ 1 for $6.50
✅ 2 for $10.00
Available from the Uniform Shop or purchase via the Uniform Shop on the QKR! app.
Stocks are limited, so get in quick!
They are also seeking donations for our upcoming Easter Raffle! If you can contribute any Easter-themed items (chocolates, decorations, or treats), they will be placed into raffle baskets for each campus.
Raffle tickets will be available for purchase later in the term, with all proceeds supporting our school community.
Your generosity is greatly appreciated, and we thank you in advance for helping make this a fun and successful event!
Join Us for Coffee Every Friday Morning!
We warmly invite you to join us every Friday morning from 8:20am at the canteen for a coffee and a chance to connect with other parents. It’s a wonderful opportunity to catch up, meet new families, and start the day with a friendly chat.
We’d love to see you there – come along and enjoy a coffee on us!
- When: Every Friday morning, 8:20am
- Where: School Canteen
Looking forward to sharing a coffee and conversation with you!
SEQTA
A friendly reminder that SEQTA is our primary communication platform for sharing important school updates, announcements, and messages. To ensure you don’t miss any key information, we kindly ask that you regularly check your messages or set your phone to receive SEQTA notifications.
By staying up to date on SEQTA, you’ll have access to:
- Important school announcements
- Event reminders and calendar updates
- Direct communication from teachers and staff
- Academic progress and student reports
We appreciate your support in helping us maintain clear and effective communication. If you need any assistance with SEQTA notifications, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
NAPLAN
On Tuesday 25 March, all Year 5 students completed the NAPLAN practice test. Despite some minor IT issues with headphones and the Lockdown browser, the boys participated positively and with great focus. This practice session provided valuable insight into the testing process, helping them understand what to expect when they sit the actual NAPLAN tests in the coming weeks.
NAPLAN Test Schedule:
- Wednesday 12 March – Writing Test
- Thursday 13 March – Reading Test & Language Conventions
- Friday 14 March – Numeracy Test
We encourage students to get plenty of rest, eat a healthy breakfast, and come prepared for their assessments. Thank you for your ongoing support in helping them feel confident and ready.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to either myself at aronoastro@cbc.sa.edu.au or Ms Lauren Mercer at lmercer@cbc.sa.edu.au
LENT
Next week, we will be marking the beginning of Lent as a Catholic community—a sacred time dedicated to spiritual renewal, reflection, and preparation for Easter. Lent is a 40-day season that invites us to examine our lives, deepen our faith, and renew our commitment to the teachings of Christ.
Our journey commences on Ash Wednesday 5 March at 9:10am in the PAC. During this solemn service, led by our JC Faith Leaders Aaron and Abuoi, students will receive a small cross on their foreheads. This ancient tradition, using ashes as a symbol of mortality and repentance, reminds us of our human frailty and the call to turn away from sin. It sets the tone for a period of introspection and self-discipline. Please be mindful that on Wednesday there will be no meat products available for purchase from the canteen.
Additionally, on Tuesday 4 March, we will celebrate Shrove Tuesday—a day traditionally observed with feasting before the Lenten fast begins. To mark this occasion, pancakes will be available for $1 from the canteen, offering a festive and enjoyable prelude to the reflective season ahead.
We invite you to join us in spirit as we embrace this meaningful season together, guided by our shared values and deep-rooted traditions.
Staff Spotlight: Mr Luke Teakle
What inspired you to become a teacher?
I have always loved helping people. My first job, back in Year 6, was with a tutoring company called Kumon, where I had the opportunity to share what I knew with others – often younger children – which I loved doing. During my later school years, I had the chance to work at The Grove Education Centre in Woodville, and also spent time volunteering at Bedford. I thoroughly enjoyed these experiences, particularly creating programs aimed at supporting young children and their families. After these experiences, I never looked back – I knew teaching was the right path for me.
Teaching Philosophy
What is one lesson or skill you hope every student takes away from your class?
Many students struggle to see the purpose in what they’re learning. A common question I often hear is, 'Mr Teakle, why do I have to do this? I won’t need this in real life.' My goal is to help students find meaning and purpose in their work, even in tasks they may not enjoy or immediately see the value in. By connecting learning to real-life scenarios, I hope to equip my students with the skills and mindset needed to approach challenges with purpose and confidence.
Fun and Personal Interests
Do you have a favourite book, movie, or TV show you’d recommend to students or parents?
A book I really loved reading is The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi. I highly recommend it to families, as it offers valuable perspectives on many challenges we face as adults. Just like our students, we too, are burdened by social media, constantly seeing unrealistic portrayals of life and comparing ourselves to others instead of embracing our individuality. This book changed my perspective on how I view myself and others, and I believe it can be a powerful read for parents.
Goals and Aspirations
How do you stay motivated and inspired as a teacher?
As a Reception teacher, staying motivated comes naturally. Every day, my students arrive happy, full of energy, and excited to learn, without being weighed down by external pressures. One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is witnessing their growth. I work with an incredible group of boys, and since the beginning of the year, I’ve already seen them make significant progress. Seeing their development and enthusiasm makes this an amazing place to work and keeps me motivated to continue supporting them on their educational journey.
Reflections on Education
What is the most rewarding moment you’ve had as a teacher?
It’s hard to pinpoint just one moment because I’ve been fortunate to experience so many in a short period of time. The most rewarding moments for me are what I call the 'A-HA' moments – when a student has been struggling with something, working hard, and then suddenly it all clicks. Seeing the joy on their face when they overcome a challenge, demonstrating resilience and a growth mindset, is incredibly fulfilling. Those moments remind me why I love teaching.
Upcoming events:
- Tuesday 4 March – Shrove Tuesday
- Wednesday 5 March – Ash Wednesday (no meat available in the canteen)
- Wednesday 5 March – Mum’s Night Out – venue TBD
- Friday 7 March - Community Mass in the JC Chapel
- Friday 7 March – Wear it Purple Day / World’s Greatest Shave
- Friday 7 March – SAPSASA Swimming Carnival
- Monday 10 March – Adelaide Cup Public Holiday
- Wednesday 12 March – NAPLAN commences
Mrs Alison Ronoastro
Head of Junior Campus
