Category: Latest News from John Colet School Belrose

This term, our value in focus is Courage—and we’ve begun our exploration by drawing on the thoughtful insights shared by students during our recent assemblies.
When asked what courage meant to them, our students offered broad and heartfelt responses:

The courage to do something even when you feel afraid
The courage to try your best
The courage to admit a mistake
The courage to stand up for a friend

However, it was this student’s reflection that will shape our discussions moving forward:

The courage to stay true to your beliefs, and also the courage to listen and maybe change them.

It’s a complex space to navigate, for both children and adults. It challenges us to be both strong and receptive, principled and humble. Over the coming weeks, we look forward to unpacking this further across classes, in discussion, in stillness, and through our daily practices.
“When in doubt, pause. When in certainty, pause. Courage lives in the space between

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Monday Cream of cauliflower soup served with sourdough and butter
Tuesday  4 cheese pasta in cream sauce topped with herb and mozzarella crumb
Wednesday  Cheese and Spinach puff pasty rolls
Thursday  Crumbed vegetable patties
Friday Roasted Kipfler potatoes served with sour cream and sweet chili
  (Chefs’ selection of fruits and vegetables provided daily)
The post On the vegetarian lunch menu for Week 9 appeared first on John Colet School | Sydney.

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For the last few weeks, the children have been competing in friendly Basketball matches with the German International School. This is not just an opportunity for the children to play a friendly game and to improve skills, but it is also a good way to build community, which has been very successful. Over the last two years, the wider variety of sport opportunities offered has really raised the profile of sport overall in the school. Another example is the AFL clinic today which will prepare us for our first junior AFL team to be registered for PISA sport next term. This provides a wonderful balance with our extensive offering of creative arts.
Di Renshaw
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We place great value on teaching our students the skills of attention and focus. These qualities are cultivated through our long-standing practice of the Pause, which has been a part of our approach for 40 years now, along with the daily classroom experiences and enriched by our teaching of classical languages, choir, a specialist art program, and chess.
One of the most powerful expressions of this focus is our Shakespeare program. It is truly inspiring to watch our students move from simple line readings to deeply inhabiting their characters—giving their all, with presence and authenticity.
Next week, we are excited to present our annual Infants Shakespeare Festival. The plays encourage a commitment to your part, a lesson that is valuable both on and off the stage.
“This above all: to thine own self be true.” — William Shakespeare
 Julian Wilcock
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Monday Nut free pesto Gnocchi topped with basil and fresh Parmesan
Tuesday Thai style yellow chickpea curry served with basmati rice
Wednesday Cream pumpkin soup served with fresh sourdough bread and butter
Thursday Cauliflower macaroni cheese topped with Parmesan and herb crumb
Friday Kitchen closed for Athletics Carnival
(Chefs’ selection of fruits and vegetables provided daily)
The post On the vegetarian lunch menu for Week 6 appeared first on John Colet School | Sydney.

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Last Sunday music was front and centre of the school Open Day performances. Over the years our music department has continued to grow and plays a very important part in the artistic development of the children. Because all the children have to sing, and learn recorder, they develop the ability to pick up new music quickly and sing in harmony. In addition to this the school orchestra has continued to grow and develop and plays at a very good standard. The orchestra participates in a number of external events throughout the year. Music is deeply nourishing for all the children and is a fundamental part of a rich education.

Di Renshaw
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A heartfelt thank you to our entire community for making Open Day such a wonderful success. Although our students didn’t have the chance to rehearse together beforehand, I’m sure you’ll agree their performance on the day was truly awe-inspiring.
This Monday, we’re looking forward to another special occasion — Founders Day.  This is particularly meaningful this year as we celebrate our 40th Anniversary.
To mark the milestone, we will welcome some of our past staff and students to speak at our assembly. Junior students will receive commemorative bag tags, senior students will be presented with anniversary pins, and all families will receive a special gift to mark the occasion. And of course, no 40th birthday would be complete without a cake!
 Julian Wilcock
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Monday Closed for pupil free day
Tuesday Tomato and basil penne pasta served topped with fresh herbs and parmesan
Wednesday Bean nachos with corn chips served with Guacamole and sour cream
Thursday Cheese and spinach sausage rolls served with spicy tomato chutney
Friday Red lentil Indian Dal served with basmati rice
(Chefs’ selection of fruits and vegetables provided daily)
The post On the vegetarian lunch menu for Week 5 appeared first on John Colet School | Sydney.

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I was walking past a 3rd class classroom this week and I heard the class teacher, as part of the spelling lesson, asking the children to put the spelling word they were looking at into a sentence. She asked that the sentence also include an adjective, an adverb, a verb and a preposition. It is wonderful that our children are getting such a rich foundation in grammar, as it is the building block for the ability to express themselves in writing. This is further supported by the study of Sanskrit with its beautiful grammatical precision. We will have ample opportunity to see this displayed in the classrooms on Sunday.
Di Renshaw
 
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We are very excited to welcome you to our Open Day this Sunday, a day that promises to celebrate our theme of Stillness and Motion—a reflection of the calm, creative energy that flows through our school community. After a week of relentless rain, the skies are finally clearing and the sunshine seems to be arriving just in time.
A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated staff, students, and parents whose time, energy, and care have brought this day together. From performances and rich displays of student work to delicious food, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
Please park mindfully and with consideration for our neighbours—we are expecting a busy day!
We look forward to seeing you there and sharing what makes our school so special.
Julian Wilcock
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