On Tuesday, 4th March, a team of 18 students from Years 3-6 represented our school at the IPSHA Swimming Carnival, competing against other Independent Schools from across NSW. They truly did us proud, demonstrating great effort, sportsmanship, and enthusiasm throughout the day.
The team returned happy, energised, and motivated after an incredible experience swimming in the very same pool that hosted the Olympics 25 years ago!
Congratulations to all our swimmers on their outstanding achievements. A special mention goes to Declan W, who placed 4th overall in the 10-year-olds’ 50m breaststroke with an impressive time of 46.40 seconds, a fantastic result!
Well done to all who participated.
Anika Davey
PDHPE and Sports Teacher
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Category: Latest News from John Colet School Belrose
Deputy Head of School’s Comment
Recently, 6th Class teacher Mrs Hansson and I have been looking into a program called Learn Kind which we will be introducing later in the year to all the children from L1st-6th class. Currently 6th class are running modules as a pilot before it goes out the rest of the school. The idea is to develop a whole school approach to creating an environment where kindness is learnt and enacted. This is supported by all our school values, the Philosophy program and annual discussion from the New Alphabet for Humanity. There will be more information provided in due course.
Di Renshaw
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Head of School’s Comment
Over the past two weeks in our student assemblies, we have been reflecting on the following reading:
Tibetan Buddhist Prayer – The Four Immeasurable Attitudes
May all beings have happiness and its causes; (Love)
May all beings be freed from suffering and its causes; (Compassion)
May all beings constantly dwell in joy, transcending sorrow; (Joy)
May all beings dwell in equal love for those both close and distant; (Equanimity)
This ties beautifully with our recent Sanskrit prayer, which speaks to the happiness of all. Rather than simply wishing for happiness for ourselves and others, we have been discussing the actions we can take to bring this into reality—starting with those closest to us, extending to our school community, and reaching out to the wider world.
Through these conversations, we are encouraging students to think about kindness, inclusion, and how small, thoughtful actions can contribute to a more compassionate and connected world.
Julian Wilcock
The post Head of School’s Comment
Maths – Week 4 update from 3rd Class
In Maths, we started multiplicative strategies by looking at the relationship between multiplication and division, describing them as inverse operations. We looked at arrays and how we can use them to write fact families. We discussed ‘turnaround’ facts in multiplication (e.g. 2 x 4 and 4 x 2) and identified them in a multiplication grid. We used number lines to explore the relationship between multiples of 2 and 4; 4 and 8; 5 and 10; 3 and 6; and 3 and 9. We looked at square numbers, representing them visually and in written form and started problem solving with multiplication and division.
Mrs Nadjarian
Teacher
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Term 1 Writing update from 3rd Class
In English this week we completed studying the structure of narratives by looking at complications and resolutions. We looked at ‘okay’ endings and ‘super’ endings before children were given a complication and asked to write a resolution. At the same time, we have developed knowledge of narrative features by practising making noun groups using adjectives. We also looked at writing descriptions of settings which may be included in narratives. We read and created examples of noun groups that engage the five senses and used them to describe a city landscape. Adverbs were also discussed and it’s wonderful to see children starting to use them with intention in their writing. We revised how to correctly punctuate direct speech – a tricky skill! In Spelling we looked at the digraph ‘ey’ making long vowel /a/ at the end of words. Each week we also look at irregular words and morphology (rules about
Week 4: Just a normal busy week in Upper 1st (Year 1)
English: This week in spelling and reading, we have looked at two syllable words ending in y. The y makes a long e sound in these words. In grammar, we looked at the differencesbetween questions and statements. In short burst writing, the children wrote about
camping. In parent writing we focused on using adjectives to write an informative description about a pelican.
Maths: This week the children revisited Data and the features of a picture graph. This included how to gather data using concrete materials, tally marks, lists or symbols such as
pictures of objects. They learnt about scaling where one object or picture can represent more than one data value. Discuss/Revise the features of a picture graph. The children are
becoming more confident in interpreting the data, organise the data into a graph and answer questions about the data.
Science: This week we revised what sound is and how it travels. The children also
Look who might be starting school soon
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
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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