The first two evenings of our Primary Shakespeare Festival have been a great success, and tonight we look forward to the final performances from our graduating 6th Class: Richard III and The Merchant of Venice. This week’s journey through Shakespeare’s timeless works has explored the rich and varied themes of the human condition, while also deepening our understanding of Stillness, our value for the term.
On stage, Stillness is more than the absence of movement; it is a calm attentiveness, the centred awareness that allows an actor to listen, connect, empathise, and deliver each line with authenticity and depth.
Our thanks go to our teachers, Ms Lilla, and all parents for their support in helping students prepare for these memorable performances.
Julian Wilcock
The post Head of School’s Comment appeared first on John Colet School | Sydney.
Author: admin
We are off to the next round in tennis!
On Monday, 20 October, nine students from Years 3 and 4 participated in the Todd Woodbridge Regionals. The students performed exceptionally well, placing second overall and qualifying for the next round, the Todd Woodbridge Cup Playoffs, which will take place at Sydney Olympic Park on Monday, 10 November. They represented our school with great enthusiasm and sportsmanship. Congratulations to the team on this fantastic achievement!
Anika Davey
PDHPE Teacher
The post We are off to the next round in tennis! appeared first on John Colet School | Sydney.
On the vegetarian lunch menu for Week 3, Term 4
Monday Homemade tomato and roasted red pepper soup served with fresh sour dough and butter
Tuesday Cheese and tomato toasted wraps
Wednesday Red lentil and vegetable Dal served with basmati rice
Thursday Pasta ratatouille penne pasta tossed in rich ratatouille style sauce served topped with parmesan
Friday Vegetable puff pastry parcels served with spicy tomato sauce
(Chefs’ selection of fruits and vegetables provided daily)
The post On the vegetarian lunch menu for Week 3, Term 4 appeared first on John Colet School | Sydney.
Deputy Head of School’s Comment
Yesterday we had our Orientation Morning for L1st 2026. This is a big event for both our incoming students and their parents. Making them feel welcome is a very important part of the morning. Each year our 5th class students are engaged in hosting the morning. This is also a big event for them, and they approach it with great enthusiasm and the utmost care. Yesterday was no exception. From the initial greeting at the front gate to guidance up to the classroom, unpacking of bags, and a play in the playground, the 5th class students were exceptional in their manners and warmth. Later in the day, they joined the new students for buddies and helped with the dismissal. We received many comments from new parents about how beautifully the 5th class children conducted themselves. They were a wonderful endorsement of a John Colet education.
Di Renshaw
The post Deputy Head of
Head of School’s Comment
At our regular staff meetings, we begin with an Acknowledgement of Country. For some time now, we have sought to make this practice more authentic and personally meaningful by inviting a different staff member each week to lead the acknowledgement in their own way. This might take the form of a personal reflection, a poem, an excerpt from a book, or a piece of local history that resonates with our place here in Sydney.
This week, with his permission, Mrs Bolaitamana shared with our staff a reflection written by one of her students, Thomas C, during time spent in the Djaramada Bush Reserve where our students play. His words captured the quiet beauty, spirit, and deep sense of connection to Country that the reserve inspires in those who pause to listen and observe. The connection speaks for itself, a reminder of the enduring presence and wisdom of the land on which
On the vegetarian lunch menu for Week 2
Monday Salad wraps. Carrot, cucumber, tomato, iceberg and cheese served in a flour tortilla
Tuesday Pene pasta served with 4 cheese sauce topped with herb and parmesan crumb
Wednesday Bean nachos with sour cream Guacamole served with corn chips
Thursday Cauliflower and sweet potato curry served with rice pilaf
Friday Spinach and feta stuffed filo triangles served with tomato chutney
(Chefs’ selection of fruits and vegetables provided daily)
The post On the vegetarian lunch menu for Week 2 appeared first on John Colet School | Sydney.
What’s happening in our garden lessons in Term 4
In the bush playground, each class is planting one native tree endemic to the area. This act is designed to connect children to Country, following on from concepts covered during the Term 3 bush tucker lesson. Plantings were accompanied by species data and a thought-provoking philosophical tree quote that will remain for visitors to consider as the trees grow, helping to anchor them in place and give them greater context over time.
Students then observe the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, mindfully immersing oneself in nature by using all five senses to promote physical and mental wellbeing. During this time, children are encouraged to write a letter to a tree of their choice.
Back in the garden, the story of the ancient dinosaur tree, the Wollemi Pine, is told. Different ways in which trees can be cared for were covered.
At the close of the lesson, students are offered a square
Great result at RoboCup Junior Australia
The RoboCup Junior Australia (RCJA) 2025 National Competition concluded in Canberra last weekend.
A team consisting of Neil C, a Y4 student from JCS and two students from St Ives North Public stood out in the Primary Rescue Line division, advancing to the finals with the second-highest score after eight preliminary rounds and ultimately securing second place overall in the finals.
Their robotics teacher Mr Richard Mei said it was the first time his students had achieved such an outstanding result at the national level.
“They distinguished themselves from 55 teams from across Australia and earned their place in this prestigious and professional robotics competition,” he said.
“I’ve got to know Neil since he was in Lower 1st and he has followed my robotics program for many years now. He has shown impressive focus and commitment to learning. His success in this competition is a true reflection of his hard work and persistence.”
The post
Deputy Head of School’s Comment
This week on the Staff Development Day the staff discussed the nurturing of those qualities which bring about excellence, abundance and prosperity in a human life. Some examples of such qualities were unity, fearlessness, compassion, truthfulness and self-control. We looked at how such qualities are practically embedded in our teaching day. One of the subjects that gives scope for drawing out these qualities, is Shakespeare. Unity brings all the performers together for the sake of the play. Fearlessness speaks for itself. Compassion allows for space for each child to develop in their part (not everyone is a born actor). Truthfulness encourages the person to give their best self to the part and self-control is practised by each child in order to have an awareness of the whole performance and not just their own role. We look forward to the fruits of these efforts next week.
Di Renshaw
The post Deputy Head of
Head of School’s Comment
This week it was a pleasure to host the parents of our incoming Lower 1st 2026 students at our information evening. It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm and excitement as many prepare to join our school community for the first time, and also great to see the support provided by many of the attending parents who already have children at JCS.
Next Thursday, we look forward to welcoming the children themselves for our Lower 1st Orientation Day. This special event will help them meet their teachers for next year, Mrs Wallace and Mrs Cooper, explore their new classrooms and play spaces, and begin forming friendships with one another.
Our 5th Class students will also play a leading role, acting as mentors and buddies to the new arrivals, helping them settle in and feel supported as they get ready to start their journey at John Colet School.
Julian Wilcock
The post Head of School’s