Learning in the Junior School continues to be driven by curiosity and creativity. Across all year levels, students have embraced exciting new opportunities to solve authentic problems and make meaningful connections with the world around them.

One of the highlights of 2026 has been the introduction of our new specialist subject, EcoTech.

EcoTech is a space where students explore innovation and problem-solving through the design thinking process. The program emphasises interdisciplinary collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and generating solutions to problems in science, technology, and nature. Through hands-on inquiry, students are learning how technology can be used to improve their school, community, and the natural environment.

Junior School teachers recently participated in professional learning with Dr Ron Ritchhart, who served for more than 25 years as a Senior Research Associate and Principal Investigator at Project Zero at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He is the best-selling author of numerous books, including Intellectual Character, Making Thinking Visible, Creating Cultures of Thinking, The Power of Making Thinking Visible, and Cultures of Thinking in Action.

Dr Ritchhart challenged teachers to look beyond test scores and consider the deeper intellectual identities of the students they have the privilege of working alongside each day. He invited teachers to reflect on how they plan for, guide, and monitor students’ development as thinkers and learners. By exploring key strategies and thinking routines, teachers were encouraged to consider how classrooms can be transformed into spaces of genuine intellectual growth.

We look forward to welcoming Dr Ritchhart back later this year to continue this valuable partnership.

At the end of Term 2, we were delighted to host our inaugural Celebration of Learning Morning, welcoming families into classrooms to experience the rich learning taking place across the Junior School. Throughout the term, every year level explored the common inquiry theme of Regenerative Futures, with each class investigating the concept through its own unique lens.

Classrooms were transformed into vibrant learning spaces, showcasing documentaries, coding projects, robotics, information reports, storybook creations, food webs, plant investigations, iMovies, and many other impressive artefacts that highlighted students’ understanding. The morning provided a wonderful opportunity for students to confidently share their thinking and demonstrate the depth of their learning with family members.

Service learning has also remained an important focus within the Junior School. At the beginning of Term 2, a small group of passionate Year 2 students approached staff with the desire to make a difference in their community. Their initiative grew into a school-wide donation drive supporting Big Group Hug, an organisation that provides essential items to children and families experiencing hardship.

Working alongside our Junior School Deputy Captains, the students organised promotional posters, delivered an Assembly presentation, and created handmade bookmarks to thank every donor.

The response from our School community was overwhelming. Together, families donated 47 packets of underwear, 49 packets of socks, and 33 beanies and scarves for children in need. This initiative exemplifies the values we strive to develop in every Junior School student and reminds us that even small acts of kindness can have a significant impact on the lives of others.

The Celebration of Learning mornings will be held each term.

Ms Lisa Miller
Head of Junior School

Ms Miranda Stott
Acting Deputy Head of Junior School