From the Head of Junior School
At MLC Junior School you will often hear the phrase ‘you are only new for a day.’ To our new families, a very warm welcome to the MLC School community. I know our continuing families and staff will reach out to you and help you feel welcomed.
140 Year Anniversary
This year MLC School is celebrating 140 years of excellence in girls’ education. To commemorate this occasion each girl will receive a badge that she may wear with her School and House badge.
Assembly
Each Thursday afternoon at 2.20pm, our Kindergarten to Year 5 students attend the Junior School assembly. Pre‑Kindergarten will join when they move into Kindergarten, and Year 6 are invited to attend the Senior School assembly later this term.
At this week’s assembly, our School Value Courage was introduced as the theme for Term 1. This is particularly fitting, as many girls are stepping up to demonstrate courage – whether by making new friends or, for some, starting at a new school.
During Term 1 and Term 2, each grade from Kindergarten to Year 5 will host an assembly, and parents, grandparents and carers are most welcome to attend.
Helping Your Daughter Settle into the New School Year
As the girls settle into the new school year, I encourage you to read the article by our Deputy Head of Junior School – Wellbeing, Joanne Sharpe, in this week’s newsletter, here. It explores courage and offers practical suggestions for supporting your daughter as she adjusts to the new school year.
Uniting MLC School Outside School Hours Care
A reminder that it is a requirement that all Junior School students be registered with the service. Click here for more information.
Junior School Parent Information Evening
I look forward to meeting you at our upcoming Parent Information Evening next Monday 2 February 2026 in Daphne Line Hall (top floor, Junior School Building).
The schedule is as follows:
- 5.30pm – Meet the specialist teachers (There will be stations set up for you to meet many of our specialist staff.)
- 6pm – Parent Information Evening, including information from your daughter’s class teacher.
Thank you for attending. If you have daughters in more than one grade and are unable to attend each session, we will ensure all relevant information is sent to you in writing.
Class Timetables and Term Overviews
Term 1 timetables are available on our parent portal, Omnia. Term overviews will also be available next week.
Absences
If your daughter is absent, please submit details via Omnia.
If she is arriving late or leaving early, please email Junior School Reception at jsreception@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au, and copy in the class teacher where possible.
Lunch Orders
If you would like your daughter to have lunch supplied, please order via Flexischools, particularly for Pre‑Kindergarten to Year 5. While students may purchase some items over the counter, lunches must be ordered in advance. Morning tea and other items may also be ordered online.
Birthday Celebrations
Birthdays are an exciting time and often a joy to share. Many parents and carers like to send in a treat for their daughter’s class. Please be mindful of allergies –particularly nuts. Treats should be individual items the teacher can distribute easily, as outlined in our Parent Handbook.
We kindly ask that birthday (or other) gifts are not distributed via the School.
Car Park
Thank you for your patience this week as parents, students and staff adjusted to our drop‑off and pick‑up procedures. With the commencement of after‑school co‑curricular activities next week, there will be less traffic during morning drop‑off and afternoon pick‑up.
Drop‑off times
- Kindergarten to Year 5: 8am–8.25am (Classes start at 8.30am)
- Pre‑Kindergarten: From 8.30am (Please park and walk in)
- Year 6: May be dropped off with younger siblings or on Rowley Street (Classes start at 8.15am)
- Before School Care: From 7am (Press the buzzer at the Red Carpet doors for entry)
- No students are to be dropped off on Park Road.
Pick‑up times
- Pre‑Kindergarten: 2.40pm (Please park and walk)
- Kindergarten to Year 2 only: 3.10pm
- Year 3 to Year 5 only: 3.30pm
- Kindergarten to Year 5 siblings: 3.30pm
- Year 6: Dismissed at 3.15pm
Pick‑up concludes at 3.40pm for all students. No student is to be collected from Park Road. You may collect your child on foot, though many families find the car pick‑up service more convenient. After School Care concludes at 6pm.
Staff Spotlight
During Term 1 we welcome Dylan Kuronuma, who is teaching Year 4 while Selina Clarke is on leave, and Lina Elkhoury, who is teaching Year 3 while Samantha Edwards is on maternity leave. Both Mr Kuronuma and Mrs Elkhoury are well known to our School community.
We also welcome Carol Peterson, who is teaching Year 5, and Brooke Panagopoulos, our new Kindergarten Coordinator.
In upcoming newsletter editions, new staff will be featured so you can get to know them a little better.
Brooke Panagopoulos
With more than 20 years of teaching experience across Australia, London and Singapore, Brooke brings a rich global perspective to her work. She holds a Bachelor of Education (Primary) from the Australian Catholic University and a Master of Education in Gifted Education from UNSW. Brooke is deeply committed to meeting the diverse learning needs of all students.
Her previous role as Gifted Education Coordinator at Santa Sabina College strengthened her passion for nurturing and challenging learners so they feel valued, happy and successful. She has a particular interest in girls’ education and the ways in which young learners can be empowered both academically and personally. She is especially excited to return to Kindergarten, where curiosity, joy and foundational learning come together in such meaningful ways.
Once again, welcome to the 2026 school year. I look forward to supporting your daughter to achieve her very best this year and to meeting many of you at our upcoming welcome drinks on Friday 6 February 2026 at 6pm.
– Daniel Sandral
Head of Junior School