A great start to 2022!
Our first week at school for 2022 has been wonderful! Our girls have returned to school, and are getting back into the routines of a new school year. New friendships are being developed, and all girls have been thinking about how they can show care to themselves and others in our community.
I would like to sincerely thank all families for your attendance at our Parent Information Evening, and whilst the format was different, hopefully, you found the information presented to be valuable. For any families that missed the presentations, you can find links to them on both the class and my portal pages.
At Year 3-6 Assembly this week, we explored the journey of Ash Barty…not only as the winner of the Australian Open and Number 1 in the world, but Ash as the learner. We discussed the mindset she demonstrates which can best be described as one of curiosity and problem-solving. In times of struggle, she doesn’t get upset or have a tantrum, instead, she focuses on what she can control, and tries to problem-solve her current situation. This, to me, is why she is such an amazing role model for our girls.
All girls have been challenged to think about using Ash Barty’s modelling when they find themselves in times of challenge. What can you control? How could you alter your current situation to problem solve your challenge? When girls learn to manage this from a young age, it become a great habit for future independent problem solving.
Last Friday our School community gathered virtually to celebrate the commencement of our school year.. The Foundation Service is a very special event in our school calendar, and Junior School Captain, Weylen, represented our Girls’ Junior School with great confidence and respect. Parents can view this service via the link below, or on the HOJS portal page.
Starting School! Welcoming our Prep girls.
The first word that comes to mind about the first day of Prep is BRAVE! After having a precious, first day photo taken outside, the Prep girls then bravely said goodbye to their families before entering the Colebrook Wing building on their own. This took a lot of courage and all the girls should be extremely proud of themselves. Of course, there were teachers to help them to the Prep classroom where Mrs Whitcher was waiting to greet them with a big smile and some fun activities. What an inspiring effort from these little learners and an impressive start for the girls in developing their Compass values of independence and confidence.
A fabulous first four days of fun and learning followed! Our busy week included; exploring our classroom and playground, making new friends, seeing the Prep boys, meeting our caring and friendly Year 6 buddies then having lunch and a play together, classroom Maths games and Literacy activities, going on a letter hunt around the girls’ school to find the letters for our SMART Spelling word of the week c a t, attending Art, Music, PE, Performing Arts and Prep – Year 2 Assembly for the first time. Phew! No wonder rest time after lunch play with a cushion, bear and book was a most welcome part of each day. We finished the week with some crafty fun and the girls wondered if their parents would recognise them disguised behind their cat masks. We are off to a fabulous start in Prep A!
Mary Whitcher
Prep Girls’ Teacher
