JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS - From the Head of Junior School
Communication Date 27 January 2023
Upcoming information for Term 1, Week 2
It has been a fantastic start to the year as our students have returned to school, settled into their new spaces and are already delving deep into their learning journey. It has also been fabulous to reconnect with both families and students and to hear of their holiday adventures.
We welcome two new Deputy Head of Junior School staff on board to support our community as we continue to grow and change as a Junior School, please see their introductions below.
As per last year, each Friday we will send out our upcoming information communique to families to help you stay connected and informed. From time to time, specific year level emails may be sent out to families, and of course whole College communications will also be received via email from our Principal's office.
Next week, as we settle into Week 2, we ask families to begin to transition back to our regular morning and afternoon routines of saying "see you later" at our entry points. By the end of next week, all students, unless otherwise discussed with your teacher, should be comfortable with these routines and parents will resume waiting at collection points as per normal procedures; thank you for support of these processes.
We are looking forward to a fabulous year ahead and look forward to seeing you around our campus and at our weekly or special community events.
We welcome two new Deputy Head of Junior School staff on board to support our community as we continue to grow and change as a Junior School, please see their introductions below.
As per last year, each Friday we will send out our upcoming information communique to families to help you stay connected and informed. From time to time, specific year level emails may be sent out to families, and of course whole College communications will also be received via email from our Principal's office.
Next week, as we settle into Week 2, we ask families to begin to transition back to our regular morning and afternoon routines of saying "see you later" at our entry points. By the end of next week, all students, unless otherwise discussed with your teacher, should be comfortable with these routines and parents will resume waiting at collection points as per normal procedures; thank you for support of these processes.
We are looking forward to a fabulous year ahead and look forward to seeing you around our campus and at our weekly or special community events.
INTRODUCING OUR DEPUTIES
MRS KATE HOFSTEE
I am pleased to introduce myself as one of the new Deputy Heads of Junior School. Faith has a well-deserved reputation vibrant and joyous community and as leader in contemporary education. I am indeed blessed to be appointed to this exciting role. From the moment I stepped inside the gate, I could feel I had joined a special family. The staff, parents and your wonderful children have made me feel very welcome and I have enjoyed a fabulous first week at the Collage.
I join Faith from St Peters Lutheran College Springfield where I was the Contemporary Curriculum and Pedagogy Leader. I have extensive experience in pastoral care and curriculum positions, and have taught Kindergarten to Year 11 in Lutheran, Catholic and State schools in Queensland, Western Australia and the remote Northern Territory. I have also acted as Head of Primary and Deputy Principal for several extended periods. I am a lifelong learner, hold a Bachelor of Education and a certificate in Christian Theology. I am presently completing a Master of Educational Leadership.
I believe in a student-centred, inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning. The curriculum should tap into and develop students’ innate sense of wonder and creativity and provide practical and engaging opportunities for students explore and make sense of the world around them. As a practising Christian, I cherish and value the dignity and uniqueness of every person and I aim to reflect and promote the kindness and compassion of Christ in our school community.
Family is at the heart of all I do, and I relish spending time with my husband, our two young adult daughters and our cute, but often mischievous beagle. I enjoy cooking and like to spend my weekends reading recipe books, shopping for ingredients at famers’ markets and pottering in my kitchen.
I am looking forward to getting to know our many children and their families and I thank you for your warm welcome.
MRS KATE HOFSTEE
I am pleased to introduce myself as one of the new Deputy Heads of Junior School. Faith has a well-deserved reputation vibrant and joyous community and as leader in contemporary education. I am indeed blessed to be appointed to this exciting role. From the moment I stepped inside the gate, I could feel I had joined a special family. The staff, parents and your wonderful children have made me feel very welcome and I have enjoyed a fabulous first week at the Collage.
I join Faith from St Peters Lutheran College Springfield where I was the Contemporary Curriculum and Pedagogy Leader. I have extensive experience in pastoral care and curriculum positions, and have taught Kindergarten to Year 11 in Lutheran, Catholic and State schools in Queensland, Western Australia and the remote Northern Territory. I have also acted as Head of Primary and Deputy Principal for several extended periods. I am a lifelong learner, hold a Bachelor of Education and a certificate in Christian Theology. I am presently completing a Master of Educational Leadership.
I believe in a student-centred, inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning. The curriculum should tap into and develop students’ innate sense of wonder and creativity and provide practical and engaging opportunities for students explore and make sense of the world around them. As a practising Christian, I cherish and value the dignity and uniqueness of every person and I aim to reflect and promote the kindness and compassion of Christ in our school community.
Family is at the heart of all I do, and I relish spending time with my husband, our two young adult daughters and our cute, but often mischievous beagle. I enjoy cooking and like to spend my weekends reading recipe books, shopping for ingredients at famers’ markets and pottering in my kitchen.
I am looking forward to getting to know our many children and their families and I thank you for your warm welcome.
MRS EMMA BRICE
I am excited to be joining Faith Lutheran as one of the new Deputy Heads of Junior School. I have been privileged to have joined the community as a parent last year with one son attending the Junior School and one in the Senior School. I have loved being a part of this community as parent and am now thrilled to be part of the staff also. Faith is a caring, contemporary learning environment and I have definitely felt warmly welcomed by the students, staff and parents as I’ve stepped into this new role.
I have only been in QLD for just over 12 months, coming from the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. Prior to my relocation to QLD I was the Head of Middle School (Yrs 5-9) in a large Christian Independent School. Within Independent Schools Victoria I have taught a range of year levels from Year 1 through to the Senior VCE (Victoria’s QCE equivalent). I have completed a Masters of Inclusive Education and have presented at the World Council for Gifted and Talented Students. I have completed Positive Education training; a wellbeing program developed at Geelong Grammar in conjunction with Martin Seligman’s work in Positive Psychology.
I have a passion for student wellbeing, strongly believing that when children feel safe and secure they are ready to learn. When students feel safe they are more willing to take risks in their learning which is encouraged through an inquiry-based learning model. Children are naturally creative and curious therefore an inquiry-based model of teaching and learning allows children to use their natural curiosity and creativity to learn. When children feel safe to explore their ideas without fear of ‘failure’ they gain deeper understandings.
Aside from my sons, I have 2 daughters, both of whom have finished school and are currently traveling through Europe together before returning to their university studies at the end of February. We love to travel and see the world together from local camping trips to spending time overseas.
I am excited to get to know you all throughout the year and am looking forward to all the amazing opportunities we will have to work together.
I am excited to be joining Faith Lutheran as one of the new Deputy Heads of Junior School. I have been privileged to have joined the community as a parent last year with one son attending the Junior School and one in the Senior School. I have loved being a part of this community as parent and am now thrilled to be part of the staff also. Faith is a caring, contemporary learning environment and I have definitely felt warmly welcomed by the students, staff and parents as I’ve stepped into this new role.
I have only been in QLD for just over 12 months, coming from the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. Prior to my relocation to QLD I was the Head of Middle School (Yrs 5-9) in a large Christian Independent School. Within Independent Schools Victoria I have taught a range of year levels from Year 1 through to the Senior VCE (Victoria’s QCE equivalent). I have completed a Masters of Inclusive Education and have presented at the World Council for Gifted and Talented Students. I have completed Positive Education training; a wellbeing program developed at Geelong Grammar in conjunction with Martin Seligman’s work in Positive Psychology.
I have a passion for student wellbeing, strongly believing that when children feel safe and secure they are ready to learn. When students feel safe they are more willing to take risks in their learning which is encouraged through an inquiry-based learning model. Children are naturally creative and curious therefore an inquiry-based model of teaching and learning allows children to use their natural curiosity and creativity to learn. When children feel safe to explore their ideas without fear of ‘failure’ they gain deeper understandings.
Aside from my sons, I have 2 daughters, both of whom have finished school and are currently traveling through Europe together before returning to their university studies at the end of February. We love to travel and see the world together from local camping trips to spending time overseas.
I am excited to get to know you all throughout the year and am looking forward to all the amazing opportunities we will have to work together.
INTRODUCING OUR CLASSROOM TEACHERS
Please click on an icon below to access "Meet the Teacher" information.
Please click on an icon below to access "Meet the Teacher" information.
YEAR 2 SSP HOMEWORK
"What an exciting first week for 2023! The children have had opportunities in this first week to connect and settle into their new classrooms. Next week, we will begin our SSP homework program.
This is what they will need:
On Monday's and Friday's, the students will need to bring in their SSP scrapbooks for homework. Mondays the students will receive the new words and Friday we will follow up with the students. Monday's we will also be returning and reborrowing our home reader books. These are very important for practising decoding, fluency, comprehension and story retell.
On Wednesday's, the students will have Library, therefore will need to bring their homework folders, diary and library books to return and reborrow.
On Friday's, the students will need their SSP scrapbooks. They will also need to bring their diaries and homework folders.
Please note their SSP books are in the classrooms currently ready to go."
"What an exciting first week for 2023! The children have had opportunities in this first week to connect and settle into their new classrooms. Next week, we will begin our SSP homework program.
This is what they will need:
On Monday's and Friday's, the students will need to bring in their SSP scrapbooks for homework. Mondays the students will receive the new words and Friday we will follow up with the students. Monday's we will also be returning and reborrowing our home reader books. These are very important for practising decoding, fluency, comprehension and story retell.
On Wednesday's, the students will have Library, therefore will need to bring their homework folders, diary and library books to return and reborrow.
On Friday's, the students will need their SSP scrapbooks. They will also need to bring their diaries and homework folders.
Please note their SSP books are in the classrooms currently ready to go."
PREP - YEAR 3 SWIMMING LESSONS
Class swimming lessons at the YMCA will begin in Week 3 of Term 1. Lessons for all students in Prep to Year 3 will run for 30 minutes twice each week for 4 weeks (commencing the week of Tuesday, 7 February and concluding on Friday 3 March.
Link for YMCA Class placements form: YMCA Class Placement Form
Class swimming lessons at the YMCA will begin in Week 3 of Term 1. Lessons for all students in Prep to Year 3 will run for 30 minutes twice each week for 4 weeks (commencing the week of Tuesday, 7 February and concluding on Friday 3 March.
Link for YMCA Class placements form: YMCA Class Placement Form
ACTIVE @ FAITH
Active@Faith club sport team notifications, training times, coach information and registration links are being sent to families on completion of sport trials. The Extra Curricular Timetable will be published once trials have been completed.
Active@Faith club sport team notifications, training times, coach information and registration links are being sent to families on completion of sport trials. The Extra Curricular Timetable will be published once trials have been completed.
ACTIVE @ FAITH TENNIS PROGRAM AND TRIALS
Please click on the image below to access information regarding the ACE Tennis Program, Bayside District Trials and Twilight Swimming Trial.
Please click on the image below to access information regarding the ACE Tennis Program, Bayside District Trials and Twilight Swimming Trial.
YEAR 6 LEADERSHIP BADGE ASSEMBLY
STUDENT HUB AND RECEPTION
One of the exciting facilities changes that occurred over the holiday break was the creation of a new Student Hub to allow for our student services to have their own seperate space from the Junior School Reception area. Our Student Hub is now located directly opposite our Junior School Reception, at the Cafe Flourish end of the Year 1 building. This is where students and parents alike will head throughout the school day for all student related needs, this includes but isn't limited to:
One of the exciting facilities changes that occurred over the holiday break was the creation of a new Student Hub to allow for our student services to have their own seperate space from the Junior School Reception area. Our Student Hub is now located directly opposite our Junior School Reception, at the Cafe Flourish end of the Year 1 building. This is where students and parents alike will head throughout the school day for all student related needs, this includes but isn't limited to:
- Medical Attention
- Leaving early or arriving late for appointments
- Arriving late to school
- Leaving medication
- Dropping off a hat or items your child forgot to bring to school
DRIVE THRU PROCEDURES - SAFETY MATTERS
For the safety of all staff and students please ensure the following procedures are followed at all times. Staff will ask you to move on or cease any procedures that are unsafe for our students and families.
For the safety of all staff and students please ensure the following procedures are followed at all times. Staff will ask you to move on or cease any procedures that are unsafe for our students and families.
- Do not enter the drive thru lane until 2:55pm each afternoon. Cars that arrive earlier than this cause a traffic jam and make it difficult to move the collection of students through as quickly as possible.
- Between the hours of 6:30am – 7:50am and 3:30pm – 6:00pm Drive thru is a loading zone parking area for OSHC pick up and drop off. This is the designated OSHC parking, parents should not park inside the school gates when dropping off or picking up their child from OSHC.
- School bags must only be placed inside the car. No bags are to be collected from the boot or put into the boot when departing. This is a safety issue to ensure students are not hit by a car from behind.
PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS
The Junior School Parent Teacher interviews have been set for Tuesday, 28 February 2023. Booking will open via the Parent Lounge Portal on Monday, 6 February and close Monday, 23 February. We look forward to sharing your child's education journey.
The Junior School Parent Teacher interviews have been set for Tuesday, 28 February 2023. Booking will open via the Parent Lounge Portal on Monday, 6 February and close Monday, 23 February. We look forward to sharing your child's education journey.
CHAPEL AND ASSEMBLY SERVICES - WEEK 2
Due to our Whole College Installation service Friday, 3 February, there will be no Junior School Chapel service next week.
Due to our Whole College Installation service Friday, 3 February, there will be no Junior School Chapel service next week.
- Our regular Tuesday Chapel service will resume in Week 3 at 2:30pm in our Junior School SPAH.
- Junior School Assembly will resume next week on Thursday afternoons at 2:30pm also in the Junior School SPAH.
Early Departures and Specialist Appointment Approval
Schools are very busy places and we need our processes to work for our administration and our families. A reminder to families, if you need to collect your child early from school you must notify the office prior to 2:30pm. After 2:30pm, we will not be able to get a message to your child or get them brought down to our Student Hub unless it is an emergency. Please be kind to our staff if you ring after this time and they advise you that you will need to wait until 3:00pm to collect your child.
If your child has a regular appointment with a specialist, this must be approved by Emma Brice, one of our Deputy Heads of Junior School. This ensures that your child's attendance is recorded correctly as a school approved absentee and ensures we always know what their movements are throughout the day. To advise Emma of a standing appointment, please send an email to [email protected] detailing the day, time and reason for the regular appointment. Additionally, whilst we do our best to ensure your child is able to arrive at the office on time for this appointment, at times there are learning activities occurring that may delay their arrival. For our older students in Years 4 - 6 it is expected that they will become independent and aware of the time to remind their teacher of the need to be excused from class for collection. We thank you for your support and partnership with these administrative processes and interruptions during the busy school day where our priority is on learning.
Schools are very busy places and we need our processes to work for our administration and our families. A reminder to families, if you need to collect your child early from school you must notify the office prior to 2:30pm. After 2:30pm, we will not be able to get a message to your child or get them brought down to our Student Hub unless it is an emergency. Please be kind to our staff if you ring after this time and they advise you that you will need to wait until 3:00pm to collect your child.
If your child has a regular appointment with a specialist, this must be approved by Emma Brice, one of our Deputy Heads of Junior School. This ensures that your child's attendance is recorded correctly as a school approved absentee and ensures we always know what their movements are throughout the day. To advise Emma of a standing appointment, please send an email to [email protected] detailing the day, time and reason for the regular appointment. Additionally, whilst we do our best to ensure your child is able to arrive at the office on time for this appointment, at times there are learning activities occurring that may delay their arrival. For our older students in Years 4 - 6 it is expected that they will become independent and aware of the time to remind their teacher of the need to be excused from class for collection. We thank you for your support and partnership with these administrative processes and interruptions during the busy school day where our priority is on learning.
CHESS MATES
Chess Mates Chess Classes for Prep-Year 6 students are on again this year. Classes focus on fun, enjoyment, and cooperation. Chess Mates teachers help students learn and build upon the fundamentals of chess, while also using chess as a vehicle for teaching math skills, social skills, and emotional intelligence in an interactive and cooperative environment.
Classes are held on Wednesday at lunchtime in the library - 1:20pm - 2:00pm. Scan the QR code on the attached flyer or head to chessmates.com.au/schools to register your child.
Chess Mates Chess Classes for Prep-Year 6 students are on again this year. Classes focus on fun, enjoyment, and cooperation. Chess Mates teachers help students learn and build upon the fundamentals of chess, while also using chess as a vehicle for teaching math skills, social skills, and emotional intelligence in an interactive and cooperative environment.
Classes are held on Wednesday at lunchtime in the library - 1:20pm - 2:00pm. Scan the QR code on the attached flyer or head to chessmates.com.au/schools to register your child.
SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB
Issue 1 Book Club catalogues have been sent home with students this week. Orders will close on Tuesday, 7 February 2023.
To place an order and make payment please use – LOOP – Linked Online Ordering and Payment available on www.scholastic.com.au/LOOP or download the LOOP Apple or Android app. Please note there are no cash orders. Please do not send any orders to school. Each order helps earn free books and teaching materials for our library and classrooms, however there is never any obligation to order.
Whilst the majority of book titles in the Scholastic catalogues help our students foster their love of reading and are just fantastic reads, at times the content of some books can be misaligned with our school or our own family values. When ordering, if you are unsure that the content would be appropriate, take a moment to check out a bit more about that particular title before ordering. Focus on the Family offer a great website that can be of assistance called Plugged In (https://www.pluggedin.com/) that offers reviews and content advisory warnings to help keep our kids safe. Common sense media is another website that can be a great resource to help parents find out what they need to know about the book your child is wanting to read also (https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews).
Issue 1 Book Club catalogues have been sent home with students this week. Orders will close on Tuesday, 7 February 2023.
To place an order and make payment please use – LOOP – Linked Online Ordering and Payment available on www.scholastic.com.au/LOOP or download the LOOP Apple or Android app. Please note there are no cash orders. Please do not send any orders to school. Each order helps earn free books and teaching materials for our library and classrooms, however there is never any obligation to order.
Whilst the majority of book titles in the Scholastic catalogues help our students foster their love of reading and are just fantastic reads, at times the content of some books can be misaligned with our school or our own family values. When ordering, if you are unsure that the content would be appropriate, take a moment to check out a bit more about that particular title before ordering. Focus on the Family offer a great website that can be of assistance called Plugged In (https://www.pluggedin.com/) that offers reviews and content advisory warnings to help keep our kids safe. Common sense media is another website that can be a great resource to help parents find out what they need to know about the book your child is wanting to read also (https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews).
SAVE THE DATE
- Friday, 3 February - Welcome BBQ
- Tuesday, 7 February - JS Parent Information Evening
- Tuesday, 7 February - Prep - Year 3 Swimming Lessons Commence
- Thursday, 9 February - JS Leadership Badge Assembly
- Friday, 10 February - JS Big Splash (further information to come)
- Monday, 20 February - National Young Leaders Day Excursion (Year 6 Leaders)
- Tuesday, 28 February - JS Parent Teacher Interviews
We are looking forward to another great week in our Junior School next week. Thank you for being part of our Faith Community!
Kind Regards
Jodi
Jodi Blackwell
Head of Junior School
Faith Lutheran College Redlands
Kind Regards
Jodi
Jodi Blackwell
Head of Junior School
Faith Lutheran College Redlands