From the Head of Junior School

From the Head of Junior School

Being Online at Home 

Last week, you may have read in our Principal’s address about the new law prohibiting young people under the age of 16 from creating or holding accounts on certain social media platforms. This new legislation is a shared responsibility, not only for social media companies, but also for schools and families. 

As Head of Junior School, social media is technically outside my remit, as primary-aged students have never been permitted to access these platforms. Unfortunately, this has not been my reality. I have witnessed first-hand the negative impact social media can have on young minds and their relationships with peers. 

I encourage parents to read The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt for further insight. While the new legislation no longer permits young people to have YouTube accounts, some platforms with chat groups, such as Roblox, are excluded. I strongly encourage parents to use the introduction of these new laws as an opportunity to review your daughter’s online activities and to work with her to educate and empower her in the digital world. The School has developed a resource for parents which can be found here.

Year 5 Canberra Immersion 

Last week, our Year 5 students enjoyed an educational tour of the national capital. They participated in a variety of programs focused on Australia’s history, culture, heritage, and democracy. 

The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians visiting the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families with the cost of the excursion, the Government is contributing $30 per student to our school under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) programme. This rebate is paid directly to the School upon completion of the excursion. You can read more about their trip in this article.

Churunga’s Garden Day 

Thank you to all our Churunga families who joined us last Sunday for House Chapel. It was a wonderful celebration. Please see below for information from our Churunga House Patron, Bernadette Weston, about our upcoming Garden Day. 

Remembering Mrs Gyau-Awuah 

This term, the Junior School is coming together to honour the memory of Mrs Gyau-Awuah, a much-loved Year 1 teacher who inspired so many through her kindness, creativity, and passion for gardening. To celebrate her love of nature and her care for others, we will be holding two special fundraisers that reflect her spirit of giving and growth. Read more about these fundraisers here.

To donate directly to our Junior School fundraising page follow this link.

– Daniel Sandral
Head of Junior School

Upcoming Dates:

  • Friday 14 November – Strings Spectacular 
  • Monday 17 November 2025 – Band Soiree Year 3 to Year 12
  • Tuesday 18 November 2025 – Year 6 Dinner 
  • Tuesday 18 November 2025 – Year 6 Social
  • Friday 21 November 2025 – Orientation Day
  • Thursday 4 December 2025 – Speech Day and the last day of term