We are excited to share that our school is trialing the introduction of a School Support Dog.
Klaus, an 18-month-old Mini Schnauzer, has completed both puppy and adolescent dog training. He is scheduled to undergo further assessment at school by a CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA accredited Dog Trainer & Behaviourist to ensure he meets the highest standards for a support dog.
The use of support dogs in NSW schools has increased significantly in recent years, with both scientific research and anecdotal evidence highlighting their positive impact on student well-being. However, their presence must comply with all Commonwealth, State, and school sector regulations concerning animal welfare, legal and financial responsibility, and health and safety.
Mini Schnauzers are known to be hypoallergenic. However, if your child has a known allergy to dogs, please notify us at admin@johncolet.nsw.edu.au
Support dogs in schools must always be supervised, kept on a leash, and cared for by an adult who is not
Category: Latest News from John Colet School Belrose
On the vegetarian lunch menu for Week 5
Monday Spinach Tortellini served in nut free pesto cream sauce topped with parmesan
Tuesday Salad rolls with chef’s selection of cheese, iceberg, carrot, cucumber served with fresh lunch rolls
Wednesday Cheese and tomato puff pastry slice topped with fresh basil and confit garlic
Thursday Mushroom stroganoff served with Buttered rice Pilaf
Friday Zucchini and carrot vegetable slice with sweet chili sauce
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From our Deputy Head
This week I had cause to be in the Art room for a prolonged period of time during the U1st art lesson and the 3rd class art lesson. The work that the children are producing is excellent. This was the case for each child as they worked according to their natural talent. The art program from L1st teaches the children to pay attention to detail. They often work from a photograph, nature and as they get older, from works of different artists and learn to use their powers of observation to refine their attention. Each class has produced a ceramic piece for the Gala Night auction that combines work from every child. They are beautiful pieces.
Di Renshaw
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From our Head of School
This afternoon, we conducted our first safety drill of the year. Each term, we practice a different drill to prepare for emergencies such as bushfires, lockdowns, and evacuations, including off-site to Wyatt Avenue Oval.
We know these drills can cause anxiety, and students may have questions at home. Our staff support them through the process, but please reassure them that these exercises are essential for everyone’s safety.
Today’s pre-announced bushfire drill had two stages: returning to classrooms to await instructions, followed by the alarm sounding and movement to our four designated shelter rooms. Students responded excellently, especially our Lower 1st students.
Julian Wilcock
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On the vegetarian lunch menu for Week 4
Monday Gnocchi served with quattro fromage sauce topped with fresh herbs and parmesan
Tuesday Risoni with eggplant zucchini and semi-dried tomato in nut free romesco sauce
Wednesda Cream of Thia style Pumpkin soup served with fresh sour Dough and butter
Thursday Sweet potato and cauliflower Paneer curry served with rice pilaf
Friday Homemade cheese and spinach puff pastry rolls served with tomato chutney
(Chefs’ selection of fruits and vegetables provided daily)
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From our Deputy Head of School
This week during one of the 6th class Philosophy lessons, a student raised the question, “Is it better to lead a good life, or a happy life?” A great question to consider even though the two are not mutually exclusive. What it highlighted, is that if the aim is to develop good character, then everything else including happiness, follows from that. The idea of developing good character lies at the heart of everything that we do with the children and is regularly displayed in their behaviour. Our whole system of giving Value Awards is built around supporting this.
Di Renshaw
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From the Head of School
As we explore our Value of Respect during these first weeks of school, we began with a reading entitled The Way of Peace by Swami Shivananda. This passage challenges us to reflect on how we respond to negativity—whether we choose to engage, how we react, and the impact our actions can have.
Our assembly and classroom discussions have been rich and insightful, with students offering thoughtful perspectives on these themes. I encourage you to continue these conversations at home. Here is an example of a follow-up lesson from Third Class, where students expressed through art the impact of embodying these positive qualities.
Julian Wilcock
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Our first weeks in Lower 1st
This week, we visited the Life Education Van to have a lesson about creating and maintaining positive friendships. We discussed the signals our body gives us when we are feeling worried, how to recognise if a friend is feeling upset and how to be a good friend. The highlight, of course, was meeting the famous Harold the giraffe!
Buddies
We are lucky to have a wonderful group of 6th class Buddies who visit us regularly for games, craft activities, reading and more. In the last few weeks, our buddies have joined us to create ‘Shape Faces’, read stories and play in the playground.
News
Students deliver their news every two weeks. Their first news item is in Week 6 (10th – 14th March) on their specified day. The first topic is ‘My extended family’. We ask you to either email or print a photo of your child’s extended family. This may include grandparents, aunts,
Spelling and Writing in 3rd Class in Week 3, Term 1
This week in Spelling we learned about open and closed syllables. We looked at two-syllable words with an open syllable ending in the long ‘a’ phoneme (sound). Please note the Spelling homework will not start until later this term as we are still building foundational skills required for completing the homework successfully. In English we identified the structure and features of well-written narratives. We discussed ‘hooks’ we can use at the beginning of our narratives to engage readers and capture their interest. The children then re-wrote the beginning of their previously written narrative to use one of the ‘hooks’ that were discussed. They also used a checklist to proofread their work and upgrade their writing.
Mrs Nadjarian
Teacher
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2024 – Our year in the garden
Overall food waste diverted from landfill and turned into compost – Over 2 tonnes! The weight of a large SUV
Food waste collected from recess by Year 6 Garden monitors – 303kgs
Produce harvested and contributed to the kitchen – 163kgs
We were fortunate to receive grants from the Sydney Edible Garden Trail, Woolworths Junior Landcare and Northern Beaches Council, and many other product donations to help the garden grow in its first year.
Kitchen Garden Classes
This year all classes participated in one Kitchen Garden class per term. Term one focused on familiarising children with the new space. Using magnifying glasses all became qualified ‘Observologists’, learning how to look for evidence of animals, identify the plants that grew for their lunch, and learn about the different systems in the garden. Lessons finished with a demonstration on where popcorn comes from and how it is plant-based, rather than coming from a packet. There was great