introduction to the junior school 2020. · junior school diary. the girls from preparatory to year...

Introduction to the

Junior School 2020.

Introduction to the Junior School 2020

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About the Junior School

The Perth College Junior School includes the Founders Centre for Early Learning for Pre-Kindergarten to Year 3 (named after our founding sisters) and an additional building for Years 4 to 6. There are 13 classes from Pre-Kindergarten through to Year 6. The Junior School is located at the centre of the K-12 campus, giving students access to all the facilities of the Senior School.

The Junior School is a happy and exciting place, always a hive of activity as students learn, play and grow in a community which is small enough to ensure every student and family are well-known by our dedicated and experienced staff. A team of classroom teachers works closely with specialist teachers and Education Assistants to provide a safe, stimulating learning environment which balances academic achievement with opportunities to develop feelings of self-worth and confidence as learners. Personal relationships are nurtured, and parents are welcomed as partners in the education of their children. The science of positive psychology underpins all that we do.

Pre-Kindergarten to Year 3

The purpose-built Founders Centre for Early Learning was architecturally designed for

children from three-to eight-years-old. This beautiful building incorporates generous teaching areas and a variety of imaginative, outdoor natural play spaces which invite creative play, active games and quiet contemplation. The centre has been designed so children feel safe, secure, challenged and stimulated. The rooms

have flexible floor plans that allow for the creation of a variety of learning spaces. Many

rooms open onto outdoor areas that extend the opportunities for learning.

Founders consists of Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten and Preparatory classrooms, located in carefully restored heritage-listed houses, giving them a cosy, domestic feel. A modern light-filled annexe houses the Years 1 to 3 classrooms plus an art room, small group teaching spaces and a large open multi-purpose space with facilities for cooking. An Outside School Hours Care Centre also operates before and after school and during school holidays. All facilities and equipment are specially designed and scaled for the needs of young children.

Girls and boys are accepted into Pre-Kindergarten in the year they turn three by 30 June, and attend for three days per week from 9.00 am to 2.30 pm. There is an option to join in with the Kindergarten class for another two days if full-time education is preferred. Girls and boys are accepted into Kindergarten in the year they turn four by 30 June. They attend for five full days per week from 8.30 am to 2.50 pm. There is also a part-time option if this is preferred. An all-girls’ education is offered from Preparatory onwards and students attend school for five full days per week. There is one class at each level from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 2 and two Year 3 classes.

Teaching and Learning in the Early Years

Several key beliefs inform our philosophy of early learning. We recognise the importance of early childhood as a unique stage in life. The teaching and learning program in Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten is influenced by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, the Early Years Learning Framework and the Western Australian Kindergarten Curriculum Guidelines. Preparatory to Year 2 learning reflects the principles and practices of the Early Years Learning Framework and the Western Australian Curriculum. The National Quality Standards also influences our approach and play-based learning is strongly featured. Developing relationships and a sense of community are important aspects with a focus on building meaningful interactions between children, teachers and family, making strong connections within the School community.

Our early years program promotes wonder, self-confidence, individuality, creativity and self-expression through learning activities that stimulate and encourage curiosity, thinking and problem-solving. Learning is experiential in nature allowing for play, exploration and interaction, and acknowledges that the physical environment is key. There is also a strong emphasis on intentional teaching and the development of strong literacy and numeracy skills. Varied experiences that accommodate different learning styles, interests and levels of development are provided. Catering for the whole child is a priority.

Class sizes allow for a nurturing, personal approach to teaching and learning. Each class is staffed by qualified educators with experience in early childhood development. Students benefit from the expertise of specialist teachers in Music, Physical Education, Physical Theatre, Art and Cultural Immersion. Learning Engagement specialist teachers in Mathematics and English work together with classroom teachers to support the provision of differentiated learning and teaching programs to cater for the diverse learning needs of our students. Integrated inquiry units emphasise problem-solving, thinking and investigating. There are many opportunities for STEaM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) including coding and robotics.


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Years 4 to 6

From Years 4 to 6, our focus is on creating a supportive, stimulating learning environment which empowers each student to take increasing responsibility for her own learning and set realistic goals so she can attain her personal best. We offer a rich and interesting experience based on the Western Australian Curriculum and influenced by Visible Learning principles, complemented by a broad, vibrant co-curricular program and underpinned by strong, pastoral care.

There is one class at Year 4, two classes of Year 5, and three classes of Year 6. Class sizes allow for a nurturing, personal approach to teaching and learning – our teachers know their students well.

Teaching and Learning in the Junior School

The teaching and learning programs are designed and implemented by a staff of caring, dedicated and talented teachers who are experts in the education of young girls. They understand that for effective learning to take place, girls must feel safe and supported, have a sense of belonging, and be valued as individuals.

The Junior School curriculum is based on developmentally-appropriate learning experiences and activities which combine intellectual, physical, spiritual, emotional and social aspects. Curiosity is celebrated and the students engage with real-world issues. We focus on building strong foundations in literacy and numeracy, supplementing these with rich programs and hands-on, problem-based learning experiences. Our Junior School girls study English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Technologies, Health, and Beliefs and Values with their classroom teachers.

Learning Engagement specialists in Mathematics and English work with classroom teachers to support the provision of differentiated programs to cater for the diverse learning needs of our students. Girls attend specialist lessons in Music, Physical Theatre, Visual Arts, Physical Education, and Languages (French and Chinese).

Technology is widely used across the Junior School to enhance student learning. All students have access to networked devices which include email and the internet. There are interactive whiteboards in all classrooms, and access to notepad computers and iPads. Teachers incorporate technology into activities across the curriculum. Integrated inquiry units emphasise problem-solving, thinking and investigating. There are many opportunities for STEaM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) including coding and robotics.

An overview of the content of the curriculum for your daughter will be available at the beginning of each year.

Music

All classes from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6 participate in Music lessons. All Year 3 students participate in the strings program. All Years 4 to 6 students can choose either a band or string instrument through the instrumental program. All Junior School students also sing in a choir. There are multiple opportunities for students to perform such as concerts, Chapel services, assemblies and productions.

Private Lessons

Private lessons on various musical instruments, theory of music, and speech and drama are available. An application form, with information about costs and lessons, is included in the Music handbook and the Speech and Drama handbook. These lessons are taken in school time or lunchtime. It is strongly recommended that students study one instrument only.

Pastoral Care

Nurturing the emotional, social and spiritual development of our students is as important as catering for their academic needs. In developing confident, competent, caring, courageous and community-minded young people, classroom teachers respond to the pastoral needs of students. Additional support is offered by a team including the School Chaplain, Counsellor, Health Centre nurses, and the Junior School Leadership Team. Together, they ensure strong pastoral care is available to all Junior School students and their families.

Leadership skills, resilience and managing friendships are developed through our positive psychology and InsideOut programs (including Kimochis and URSTRONG).

Our students are encouraged to take an active role in the life of the School to develop a sense of connectedness and belonging, and embrace leadership in and out of the classroom. Students are placed in Houses to take part in sporting competitions and various House activities throughout the year. There are four Houses at Perth College, each named after a Western Australian Governor: Barron, Bedford, Campion and Lawley. Siblings automatically join the same House. House Captains and Vice-Captains are elected from the Year 6 cohort each semester and work closely with the Junior School House Co-ordinator.


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Co-curricular Programme

A wide variety of co-curricular activities is offered after school. Some of these are music-or sports-based, whilst others cater for interests such as cooking, computing, chess, yoga, martial arts, robotics, art or crafts. These activities tend to differ from year to year but are advertised through the newsletter and directly to the classes. The Junior School also fields hockey, basketball, soccer and netball teams on weekends and students are encouraged to take part.

Communication

Links between home and school are very important and parents are kept informed of their child’s progress, when events take place and other vital information. Key vehicles for communicating are SPACE (our portal), the weekly newsletter, and email. The weekly newsletter is an important source of information. It is emailed to families every week and shares and celebrates the wide range of activities in which our students engage. We are always pleased to hear about special achievements and will endeavour to include them in the newsletter if we have been informed. Please email any information to Jenny Dougan, Head of Junior School, at [email protected].

Junior School Diary.

The girls from Preparatory to Year 6 have a Junior School Diary which comes home daily. This diary contains information about activities that are planned for the year and it is where homework is recorded and parents and teachers make relevant comments. The class teachers check the diaries each day for messages and we ask that parents also check and sign the Junior School Diary each day.

Parent Information Evening

This is held in the Judith Cottier Theatre early in Term One each year. All parents are encouraged to attend and can meet their child’s teacher, the Head of Junior School, the Principal, specialist teachers and other parents. Important information is given out on this evening. This is also an opportunity to learn about ways in which you can become involved in school activities.

Reports

We use a process of continuous feedback to let you know how your child is progressing with learning. Two formal reports will be uploaded onto SPACE – one at the end of Semester One and one at the end of the school year. These will comment on effort and progress in class. There are invitations to open classrooms and learning journeys with opportunities to share your child’s work and discuss it with her and her teacher. Learning is also shared via SPACE and SeeSaw.

Parent/Teacher Meetings

Parents will have the opportunity to meet with staff each semester to discuss their child’s progress and learning. Should you wish to meet with teachers at other times throughout the year, we request you email the teacher or write a note in the Student Diary.

Regular Events

Each year, the girls take part in a Choral Concert, an Ensembles Concert, the Junior School Musical and, Day of Creativity with a Nativity play also performed by the girls in the early years. There are, of course, sporting carnivals, incursions and excursions, and parents are warmly invited to all of these events.

All students from Kindergarten to Year 6 attend Chapel services run by our School Chaplain and the Year 6 Chapel Captains. There is strong student participation in these services and parents are welcome.

Parents can also attend our regular assemblies which are organised and run by different classes throughout the year. Buddy classes are established between older and younger students who often learn and play together.


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General Information

School Times

School begins for all year levels from Kindergarten to Year 6 at 8.30 am. Students who arrive early are supervised by a staff member from 8.00 am to 8.20 am. Classrooms are open to students at 8.20 am to allow them time to unpack their bags, place lunch orders and to prepare for the day. This allows them to begin the day in a calm and organised fashion.

Finishing times are staggered, with Kindergarten and Preparatory classes ending at 2.50 pm and Year 1 and Year 2 at 3.05 pm. Girls from Years 3 to 6 finish at 3.15 pm. Please notify Junior School Reception on 9471 2200 if you are late dropping off or picking up your daughter. Messages can be left on the answering machine and are checked regularly. Teachers are busy teaching during the day and may not be able to check emails until after school.

Pre-Kindergarten operates from 9.00 am to 2.30 pm.

Day Cycle

The whole school operates on a 10-day timetable cycle, with Week A and Week B. The Junior School Diary is marked with the weeks A and B, and the times for recess, lunch and the individual periods are all printed in the individual class timetable which is distributed at the Parent Information Evening at the beginning of each year.

Books and Stationery

Parents are not required to purchase books for their children as these items are provided by the School with the cost included in the school fees. The School provides class sets of stationery to students in Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten and Preparatory. In order to promote a greater sense of personal responsibility, students in Years 1 to 6 will need to come to school on the first day with some of their own stationery. A stationery list is sent home to parents. Stationery items may need to be replenished during the year.

Health Centre

The Health Centre is staffed by a Registered Nurse from Monday to Friday from 8.00 am to 3.15 pm. The Health Centre will administer immediate first aid and is involved in health promotion at Perth College. More specifically, this involves continuous care of students when they become ill or are injured at school. When your child is ill or injured, you will be contacted and we may request that they

are collected. We do not contact parents for minor injuries or ailments such as grazes, blood noses or eczema. However, a pro forma will be sent home in the diary if your child has visited the Health Centre for any reason. It is important to remember ill children recover much better with plenty of rest, so we would ask parents not to send a sick child to school.

So that we can care for your child, please ensure you complete the medical form which is sent to you on entry to the School. It is of vital importance you keep us informed of any changes to your child’s health status.

Emergency Particulars Form

The School must be notified of any changes to your details so our records are always up-to-date, and we can care for your child in the most appropriate way.

Liaison Parents

There are Liaison Parents at every year level throughout the School. They help to co-ordinate activities to allow families to meet one another and support the classroom teachers in various ways. When you complete the Junior School Emergency Particulars Form at the beginning of each year, you can request that your contact details are included in the contact list which is published for each year level.


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Affie’s Café

Affie’s Café serves food and beverages to students, staff and the Perth College community, including parents, from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm. There is an online ordering system for students from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6 to pre-order lunches. The system is simple to use. The menu includes a range of tasty sandwiches, rolls and wraps, salads, fruit and healthy snacks, with specials on offer each day. Students from Years 4 to 6 can visit Affie’s Café during recess or lunch to purchase additional items using their student card for payment.

Students are also encouraged to bring a healthy snack for morning tea each day. As we do have some children with severe nut allergies, we would be grateful if everyone could bring nut-free snacks and food to school.

Outside School Hours Care

Outside School Hours Care is provided for students from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6 before and after school and Vacation Care is provided for girls and boys from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6 in Founders. Information regarding these services is available in the Outside School Hours Care booklet. Homework assistance is available in Outside School Hours Care every day and is also offered on certain days to students from Years 4 to 6.

Perth College Founded 1902. ABN 60 629 470 092. Cricos Provider No 00445D

31 Lawley Crescent Phone: (08) 9471 2100Mount Lawley WA 6050 Facsimile: (08) 9471 2101

PO Box 25 [email protected] Lawley WA 6929 www.perthcollege.wa.edu.au

introduction to the junior school 2020. · junior school diary. the girls from preparatory to year...

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