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
Category: Latest News from John Colet School Belrose
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)
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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
Head of School’s Comment
This term, our focus on the School Value of Courage has encouraged students to act with integrity, face challenges with resilience, and speak truthfully with kindness. In Term 4, our attention will turn to the value of Stillness.
Stillness lies at the heart of our educational philosophy and is one of the defining characteristics of John Colet School. More than a concept, it is a foundational life skill that supports learning, wellbeing, and character development across all areas of school life.
Term 4 will provide many meaningful opportunities to practise and embody this value, such as our Lower 1st and Primary Shakespeare productions, the 5th Class leadership speeches, and culminating in our Speech Night performances.
We wish all families a safe and enjoyable break, and look forward to welcoming students back on Tuesday, 14 October.
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Our kitchen garden is a national award winner!
John Colet School’s kitchen garden has won a national award, coming first in the ‘Down to Earth’ category of the National Kitchen Garden Awards. Judged by Alice Zaslavsky, Stephanie Alexander, Thanh Truong, and Clarence Slockee, our entry demonstrated how our students get their hands dirty, nurturing our kitchen garden soil. Our entry highlighted the magical power of worms in our garden, explained how our students learn the benefits of organic nutrients, and how boosting soil health can yield amazing results.
Our gardening teacher and garden club organiser, Laurie Green, first had the vision to develop the kitchen garden space just over two years ago.
As Mr Wilcock says, “What was once an untended and overlooked corner of our school has been transformed into a vibrant teaching garden. Today, it produces organic herbs, salad greens, and vegetables that supply our vegetarian kitchen, which serves a sit-down lunch to more than 300 students and
Head of School’s Comment
This week we held our Infants Public Speaking Finals. Reaching the final four was no easy task, as the standard across all participants was truly impressive. Each student spoke with confidence and clarity, and it was particularly fitting that one of the chosen topics was Courage, our school value for this term.
Public speaking at an early age helps children develop far more than just presentation skills. It nurtures confidence, strengthens their ability to express ideas, and builds resilience when speaking in front of others. These are lifelong skills that support leadership, empathy, and the courage to share one’s voice. Starting young ensures our students grow comfortable with communication, not only in the classroom but in all areas of their lives.
Julian Wilcock
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Deputy Head of School’s Comment
This week we had the third of four workshops that we run for 6th class during the year. The program was started last year and was so successful with the children that we have continued with it this year. The workshops are the brainchild of a past student Sophia Hatzis. The sessions are very interactive and address such issues as understanding emotions, building friendships and developing resilience. On Tuesday the children looked at the difference between what is a value (integrity) and what is a strength (standing up what is right) and were encouraged to consider these in both themselves and others. These conversations are aimed at supporting the Philosophy we study and providing the children with as many tools as we can for their transition into the next stage of education.
Di Renshaw
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