Message from Michele Marquet

Message from Michele Marquet

Dear Parents,

Week 1 was busy and productive! Our students returned with an excellent attitude and signs of being ready for next year. On Friday of next week, our students are invited to bring in a gold coin or note to support the work of CETOP in Nepal and to wear either a crazy hat or socks, as well as attend the annual Staff and Teachers Basketball Game in the Gym at lunchtime. The staff-student game is a reward for the JS students who collected more than 500 toothbrushes for Nepal last term.

Once again, the end of year is approaching and many parents and children start thinking about what will happen at school in the year to come.

A successful transition to the next grade – whether it is into Year 1, Year 3 or moving up to Year 7 in the Senior School – can be greatly assisted by parents. During Term 4, the boys will visit their 2024 year level area or, in the case of Year 6, tour the Senior School. Next year’s Kindergarten boys also spend two mornings visiting the Junior School as part of their transition programme. These visits allow the students to see what it is like, talk with current teachers of the next grade and ask questions they might have, before ‘moving up’ in 2024. These days are part of helping our students manage the challenges that change naturally brings.

Parents can assist their child to make a successful transition in a number of ways:

  • Remember that as parents, we are trying to assist our sons to manage their feelings of concern by putting them into perspective, rather than trying to fix the situation, so there is nothing for our sons to worry about.
  • Children pick up signs of anxiety in their parents very quickly, so try to be positive about the move into a new year level.
  • Allow your child to express concern if they should feel it – but don’t ask them if they are worried about the new teacher or the new class!
  • Highlight positives about growing up and confirm your belief that your son will manage well.
  • Remind your son that nervous anticipation is often much worse than the actual thing, that it is normal to feel a little anxious about an upcoming change and there are ways to manage that feeling, e.g. through positive self-talk where we remind ourselves of the facts of the situation.
  • Don’t initiate conversation about the move too much – otherwise they will think there is something to worry about!
  • Talk to your son about the things they will be able to do in the following year e.g. Year 1 boys can choose new after school activities; Year 6 boys take on key leadership roles in the Junior School and Year 3 boys start playing team sports and have even more after school activities from which to choose!
  • Remind your son that some of the boys from his current class will be in next year’s class – but having new boys in it will mean he can make even more friends.
  • Remind your son that if there are problems when he moves, that he will face those with your support to cope with those challenges. Remind him of previous successes when dealing with issues in the past, as an indication of being able to address problems and move on.

Things do change every year at school, but coping with change is an essential life skill. Helping your boys believe they can manage admirably, then praising them when they do is a great gift to give them as a parent. If you are concerned about any aspect of their transition to the next grade, please talk with their class teacher.

Upcoming Events & Important Dates

  • Y6-Y7 Immersion Day at Senior School – Thursday, 9 November
  • 2024 Y3 and New Parent Information Session – Thursday, 23 November 8.30am – 10am
  • K-5 Moving Up Morning – Thursday, 23 November
  • Y3-Y6 Swimming Carnival (at AFC) – Friday, 24 November (all day)
  • K-Y2 Carols Service – Tuesday, 28 November 5pm
  • Y3-Y6 Christmas Lunch – Thursday, 30 November
  • Y3-Y6 Carols Service – Tuesday, 5 December 5pm
  • K-Y2 Christmas Activities – Wednesday, 6 December
  • Y6 Valedictory Service – Friday, 8 December – 1.15pm
  • Last day of classes – Friday, 8 December
  • P-6 JS Prize Giving – Monday, 11 December 10am

We hope all our families have a wonderful week.

With thanks,

Michele Marquet