{"id":44283,"date":"2026-03-13T13:33:20","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T02:33:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/mlc\/?post_type=article&p=44283"},"modified":"2026-03-13T13:33:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T02:33:21","slug":"from-the-head-of-junior-school-249","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.thebuzz.net.au\/mlc\/article\/from-the-head-of-junior-school-249\/","title":{"rendered":"From the Head of Junior School"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thank you to all Kindergarten to Year 5\u00a0Churunga\u00a0families who attended our Sunday Chapel service last weekend.\u00a0<\/p>\n

NAPLAN<\/b>\u00a0<\/p>\n

This week, our Year 3 and Year 5 students\u00a0participated\u00a0in NAPLAN. At MLC School, we do not \u2018drill\u2019 students to sit NAPLAN. Drilling is not learning. Instead, we support all students through high\u2011quality, explicit teaching in English and Mathematics. We empower our students to become independent thinkers while developing confidence as learners.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If your daughter\u00a0participated\u00a0in NAPLAN this week, please praise her for giving her best effort, with the understanding that NAPLAN is one\u00a0component\u00a0contributing to a much broader picture of her as a learner.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Parent\/Teacher Learning Conversations<\/b>\u00a0<\/p>\n

This week we offered Parent\/Teacher Learning Conversations for Mathematics. These conversations provide an opportunity for parents and carers to connect with your daughter\u2019s Mathematics teacher, where this differs from her class teacher.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Thank you to staff and parents who took the time to connect over the past fortnight as part of this important home\u2013school partnership.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Harmony Day<\/b>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Harmony Day is a significant and important event in Australia. Our multicultural diversity is one of the many gifts of our School. Students learn about the significance of Harmony Day in class, and the Junior School Student Council (JSSC) is leading lunchtime activities during Harmony Week.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Senior School celebrated Harmony Day early, on Thursday 12 March, with a mufti day, and Year 6 students were invited to participate. On the Junior School campus, noting that we have recently celebrated Carnivale and that NAPLAN continues for some students, it has been decided that Pre\u2011Kindergarten to Year 5 students will receive a school\u2011supplied orange ribbon to wear on Monday 16 March 2026<\/b>, the beginning of Harmony Week. Your daughter is encouraged to wear her orange ribbon to school each day during Harmony Week.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s theme is\u00a0\u2018Everyone Belongs\u2019<\/em>. When your daughter arrives home with her orange ribbon, you may wish to discuss the importance of belonging \u2013 how we all belong in our School, wider community and country. The rich diversity at MLC School is one of our many strengths, and our support for one another is something I am immensely proud of. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Did your child forget to bring an item to school?<\/b>\u00a0<\/p>\n

During the primary years, children gradually learn to take on more responsibility for themselves and their belongings. There will be times when your child unintentionally leaves something at home,\u00a0perhaps library\u00a0books, a musical\u00a0instrument\u00a0or a towel for swimming lessons. In most cases, the school day will still be a success, and parents shouldn’t feel the need to drop items off at school. More importantly, these moments\u00a0provide valuable learning opportunities for your daughter\u00a0to develop resilience and organisational skills.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Car Park<\/b>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Thank you to all parents and carers who are arriving on time. This\u00a0greatly assists\u00a0with the staggered pick\u2011up of different year groups. Pick\u2011up times are as follows:\u00a0<\/p>\n