Junior Journeys

Year 5 Graduation Ceremony

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We were proud to see our Year 5 students graduate from the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) at a formal ceremony last Wednesday night. Isabel Walkley and Arion Berri were outstanding comperes, while Kiara Pierce and James Snel shared recollections of their time in the Junior School on behalf of the Year 5 cohort.

It is always an emotional time, one of sadness to leave the Junior School and one of excitement with what lies ahead; new experiences, teachers and peers, while having the wonderful foundation of the PYP which is strongly linked to the Middle Years Programme (MYP). Students were welcomed to the Middle School and the IB MYP by Mr Jarrad McCabe and Mr Ashley Coates.

Shane and Amanda Chisholm spoke on behalf of the parent community, as their third child Ben finishes in the Junior School this year. They expressed their gratitude for the many opportunities provided, for the wonderful Mercedes College community and for the rich resource of our Junior School staff. Like the Chisholm family, there are a number of families who will no longer be part of the Junior School. We are grateful for the opportunity to work in partnership with you, and wish your children rich blessings as they move to the Middle School. 

Seeing photos of the students from Reception until now evoked some cherished memories and a few tears from parents, how quickly the years pass by! The finale with all students playing an instrument or singing together to a song they had rewritten was fabulous. Thank you to Mrs Rebecca Pfitzner for all her work in making this happen. A special thank you also to the Year 5 team, Mrs Irena Hollis, Mr Simon Munn, Mr Ryan Stor and Mr Shane Murphy for their work with the students over the year.

We have loved the opportunity to work with this wonderful group of students and to witness their learning and development over the years. Change is an important part of life. We believe the students are well prepared for their transition into the Middle School and encourage them to embrace the many opportunities that will be provided.

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Junior School End of Year Mass

It was a joyous occasion as we gathered for our final mass for the year. Our theme, Let’s Celebrate, provided a focus for us as we expressed our gratitude for the countless blessings we have received this year, and asked God to prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus at Christmas time.

Father James Valladares and Deacon Andrew Kirkbride celebrated mass and engaged us in reflecting upon important messages to aspire to. I would like to express my gratitude to Sister Duyen for preparing a beautiful mass and to Mrs Rebecca Pfitzner and Mrs Loretta Bowshall for preparing our students as part of the Music programme.

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Semester 2 Student Representative Council (SRC) Leaders

I would like to acknowledge the Semester 2 SRC Leaders for their role and responsibility in supporting improvements in the Junior School and for their problem-solving abilities in ensuring safe and respectful solutions to issues as part of class meetings and also as part of the council.

Taps bordering the Rose Garden and Maryvale Oval have recently been installed which will enable students to keep hydrated during the breaks and PE lessons. Ideas for supporting lunch time play activities for our youngest students, toilet etiquette, improving environmental aspects and suggestions for additional equipment for older students were worked upon this semester.

Students will be acknowledged for their enthusiasm and efforts at our final assembly and will enjoy a thank you pizza lunch on Thursday.

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Final Farewell

On behalf of the community I would like to acknowledge the following staff for their work with us, and in particular, for their dedication to our students.

• We wish Tori Beers all the very best with the birth of her third child.
• Thank you to Felicity Koeroessy for her outstanding work in the Visual Arts programme this term.
• Thank you to Caroline Guirguis for supporting our PE programme this term.

To students and families who are leaving the Junior School, thank you for your support and contributions. We have enjoyed the opportunity to work in partnership with you. For families setting off to new pastures, I hope you take many fond memories of the Mercedes College community and I wish you well.

I feel blessed to work with such a committed, professional and enthusiastic staff and thank them for their support of our Junior School children and families. Our students are provided with so many opportunities in a broad range of areas, and while this makes life busy, we wouldn’t have it any other way!

On behalf of the Junior School staff, I hope you have a joyous and holy Christmas, and a happy and safe holiday with your families.

Julie Hann
Assistant Principal
Head of Junior School