Junior School Report
March 10, 2026 – Edition 3
A Fortnight of Achievement and Celebration
Friday 27 February was an exciting and eventful day in the Junior School, highlighted by the Year 3 to Year 6 Athletics Carnival. Students demonstrated wonderful enthusiasm, determination and team spirit throughout the day. It was fantastic to see so many students challenging themselves, cheering on their peers and proudly representing their Houses.
Congratulations to Leaver House, who took out the overall win, a wonderful achievement. Thank you to our staff, ably led by Mr Byrne-Nelson and Ms Roffey, for their organisation and support in making the day such a success, and to the students for their positive participation.
Class 2B led a meaningful assembly recognising Letter to an Elder Day, helping us reflect on the important role elders play in our families and communities. Students shared thoughtful letters to their grandparents about respect, gratitude and learning from the wisdom of those who have come before us.
They concluded with a heartfelt song that was deeply moving for the audience, which included many proud grandparents. Well done to Ms Burns and her wonderful students.
Class 2S presented an engaging assembly focused on friendship and how our school values of Compassion, Integrity, Inclusion, Respect and Excellence help us to be better friends to those around us. They sang and danced to the Toy Story classic, You’ve Got a Friend in Me.
Bravo to Mrs Browning and her talented students for all their hard work in preparing such a thoughtful and engaging assembly.
We were also delighted to celebrate the official opening of our new Learning Centre, a wonderful addition to our school that will inspire curiosity, creativity and a love of reading for many years to come. The ceremony began with a beautiful Acknowledgement of Country delivered by our proud RAP (Reconciliation Action Plan) representatives, who spoke with confidence and respect as they recognised the Traditional Custodians of the land and reminded us of the importance of continuing to learn from and honour First Nations cultures.
Our Junior School Choir then performed a moving song about the power of reading and how books can take us on incredible journeys. Their performance captured the imagination of the audience and perfectly reflected the purpose of the Learning Centre: a place where stories, ideas and knowledge open doors to new worlds.
It was a special moment for our school community, and we look forward to seeing students enjoy and benefit from this wonderful new learning space.
Melissa Roberton
Head of Junior School
Early Years Highlights
Our Foundation students have made a wonderful start to the year and have settled in beautifully. It has been a joy to see their growing confidence, friendships forming and enthusiasm for learning. Foundation students will begin attending full weeks from Week 7, and we are so proud of how well they have adapted to their new routines.
Year 1 and Year 2 students are preparing for an adventure to Cruden Farm as part of our Nature Navigators program. This hands-on experience in a beautiful natural setting will provide rich opportunities for exploration, play, discovery and outdoor learning. I look forward to sharing highlights from both excursions.
There are many exciting Early Years events coming up this term. We cannot wait for our much-loved Early Years Teddy Bears’ Picnic and our colourful Easter Bonnet Parade. Students will also be lacing up their runners soon for the Foundation to Year 2 Cross Country.
Below are some important dates to mark in your calendar, with more details to come about each event.
Tuesday 10 March
- Year 2 Nature Navigators Excursion
Tuesday 17 March
- Year 1 Nature Navigators Excursion
Friday 20 March
- Cultural Dress Day, Foundation – Year 2 Parade at 9:15am in the PAC
- Foundation – Year 2 House Meetings in P6
Friday 27 March
- Foundation – Year 2 Cross Country
- Leaver Ice Cream Fundraiser
Wednesday 1 April
- Royal Children’s Hospital PJ Day
- Foundation – Year 2 Teddy Bears’ Picnic
Thursday 2 April
- Easter Bonnet Parade at 2:15pm in the PAC
Bridgette Reale
Head of Early Years
Spelling Bees and Spelling Trees
In Year 1RD, we have been learning about the spelling focus “ee”, as in bee and tree. We have been completing activities to help us remember the spelling pattern, including making tiny magic trees and bees using natural materials. We also made delicious Honey Joys, which linked beautifully to the word bee.
As part of our Inquiry learning, students enjoyed making a clay echidna and carefully shaping its body, as well as collecting sticks to use as spines. After the echidnas had dried, students gave their echidna a name. They then drew a detailed diagram and labelled its features.
It has been wonderful to see everyone’s creativity and effort in both their spelling and their artwork.
Bridgette Reale
1RD Teacher
Year 6 Canberra Camp
Year 6 students recently undertook an educational tour of the national capital. During the trip, they participated in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy.
The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families with the cost of the excursion, the Australian Government is contributing funding to Casey Grammar School in the amount of $45 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) program. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.
Melinda Murray, Vanessa Khvorostin and Heather Dunn
Year 6 Teachers
Letters to Our Elders
Last week, Year 2B proudly presented our Letters to Our Elders assembly, an opportunity for students to express their gratitude and share cherished memories of the grandparents and special elders who play such an important role in their lives.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the family members who joined us on the day. Your presence meant so much to the students. One grandparent even travelled more than 90 minutes to spend the morning with us, an incredible reminder of the love and support that surrounds our children.
Thank you for helping make the occasion so meaningful. We look forward to sharing more special moments together throughout the year.
Jess Burns
Year 2 Teacher
Leaver House Fundraiser
Treat yourself and lift someone else: buy a $5 Choc Top for wellbeing!
Leaver House is excited to launch a special fundraiser to support student wellbeing across our school. We are selling vanilla Choc Tops to help raise money for a wellbeing instrument. These instruments help create calming, inclusive and sensory-rich spaces that benefit all learners.
Order forms have been emailed to all families in the Junior School and must be returned, with the correct money, to your classroom teacher by 13 March. Choc Tops will be distributed on Cross Country Day, 27 March.
Junior School Athletics Carnival
What an incredible day we enjoyed on 27 February at Casey Fields for our Junior School Athletics Carnival. From start to finish, students demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship, teamwork and determination across a wide range of events, including Long Jump, Shot Put, 800m, 100m Sprint, Discus, High Jump, Vortex and Triple Jump.
All Houses displayed fantastic energy and spirit, making for a wonderfully competitive and fun-filled carnival. After a very tight finish on the leaderboard, I am thrilled to congratulate Leaver House, who claimed the overall victory.
Well done to every student who participated. You each contributed to a memorable day of athletic achievement and House pride.
Please enjoy reading some student reflections below.
“I thought I did much better than last year, especially in Shot Put, Vortex and the 800m. My heart was beating when they were announcing who came second and first. I was so shocked that Leaver won!” – Dulain J, 6D
“When I heard the results for my Shot Put throw, I was on the edge of my seat waiting. I was surprised I came third with 6.94m. It was a really big improvement on last year. It was my first ever ribbon at the Athletics Carnival!” – Ekam S, 6K
Bronwyn Kyne
Head of Leaver House – Junior School
Foundation PMP
This year, Foundation students are participating in a Perceptual Motor Program (PMP) every Thursday, in addition to their Physical Education (PE) lesson. The students are having lots of fun taking part in five small-group activities each week.
What is PMP?
PMP helps children learn how to move safely and confidently. Students take part in activities that build hand-eye and foot-eye coordination, concentration, balance and confidence.
Students participate in a variety of planned activities, including balancing, eye tracking, crawling, jumping, hopping, climbing, throwing, catching and body control. To help students learn successfully, extra support is needed. The Year 9 sports coaches are supporting Foundation H and Foundation S, while Foundation N is relying on support from parents.
Thank you to the parents who have already helped, and to those who have signed up to assist in the coming weeks. More parent helpers are still needed. If you have a Working with Children Check and are available from 9:50am to 10:30am on any Thursday, I would love to have your help for as many or as few sessions as you can manage.
You can find the booking page here.
Belinda Roffey
Junior School Physical Education & PMP
