Junior School, Term 1 Week 9 2026

We warmly invite parents and carers of students from Reception to Year 12 to attend our upcoming Parent Masterclass on Wednesday 25 March, from 6.00pm – 7.45pm, in the Graham Lange Centre. The evening will begin with a welcome address from Mr Greg Atterton at 6.00pm.

The first workshop session will commence at 6.15pm, with a second repeated session at 7.00pm, allowing parents to attend two of the three sessions offered.

Session 1

Navigating the New Social Media Age Restrictions
Mr Chris Clements – School Psychologist

This workshop will help parents and carers understand the new social media age restrictions and how to best support their children through this transition. Chris will outline the purpose behind the legislation, explain which platforms will require users to be 16 or older, and clarify which remain accessible to younger children.

Beyond the “rules,” this session is focused on building your confidence to have constructive conversations at home and equipping you with practical strategies to help your child engage safely and positively online.

Session 2

Recognising and Responding to Image-Based Abuse
Dr Tessa Opie – Head of Student Wellbeing and Support

This workshop explores the growing prevalence and evolving nature of image-based abuse and its impact on young people across Australia. Parents and carers will gain a deeper understanding of the social, emotional and psychological harms experienced by victim-survivors.

Dr Opie will also provide evidence-informed strategies and trusted resources to help families respond effectively and supportively should a young person in their care be affected.

Session 3

When the Screen Comes to School: How Online Behaviour Shapes the Classroom
Mr Jason Fay – Head of Junior School
Mr Matthew Kind – Head of Wellbeing, R–6

This session examines how children’s online experiences directly influence learning, behaviour and relationships at school. Topics will include the impact of fast-paced digital content on attention and persistence, dopamine-driven apps and motivation, and the effects of device-related sleep disruption on emotional regulation.

We will also explore how online disagreements, group chats and social comparison can spill into the playground and classroom — and most importantly, offer practical, balanced strategies for families to support healthy technology habits and emotional wellbeing.

At Pulteney, we believe that informed and connected parents are key partners in fostering resilient, capable young people. We look forward to working together to support our children in navigating the complexities of today’s world.

We hope you can join us.

Kiss and Drop zones

For the safety of all students, families are asked to observe all road signage, use Kiss and Drop zones correctly, and avoid parking in restricted areas during drop off and pick up. Please note that the council regularly patrols these zones, and fines may be issued for any breaches. The School is working with the council to review and improve parking arrangements.

Junior School Physical Education Swimming Program

As part of the Junior School Physical Education program, children in Years 1 to Year 4 will participate in four 1-hour swimming sessions from Tuesday 24 March through to Friday 27 March (Week 9) at the indoor heated swimming complex at Immanuel College, Novar Gardens. Children will travel to and from Immanuel by bus accompanied by Pulteney teaching staff and parent volunteers.

On the days your child has swimming, they will need to:

• Wear bathers underneath sports uniform
• Bring a swimming bag with towel, goggles, drink bottle and underwear.
• Bring school bag as normal with recess and lunch.

Please click here to consent for the swimming session, and also complete the form for ISWIM here by Wednesday 18 March 2026

Chinese Singing Club

Students from Reception to Year 6 are invited to join the Chinese Singing Club in Term 2 and Term 4! Sessions will be held every Friday at lunchtime in the Mandarin classroom. The club is limited to 30 students, so places are first come, first served.

The club is a fun and engaging way for students who love music to enhance their Chinese language skills through singing. Whether your child is a beginner or a fluent speaker, they’ll enjoy a supportive environment to learn, practice, and appreciate Chinese songs while improving pronunciation, vocabulary, and cultural understanding.

Students can also choose to participate in the Australian Voice – Chinese Singing Competition and Video Competition. Additionally, they will have the chance to perform during our Chinese New Year celebrations.

Please let me know by April 2026 if your child would like to join.
(Some parents have already let me know – if that’s you, please ignore this message.)

To enrol, please email me at minmin.huang@pulteney.sa.edu.au. We look forward to a fantastic and musical experience with our students!

Best regards,

Minmin Huang

Upcoming Key Dates

Week 10

Monday Friday

30 March 3 April

Dance Soiree There will be chapel services, to be advised GOOD FRIDAY

Instrumental Music and Drama Program

Pulteney’s Performing Arts Department offers private tuition for a range of instruments as well as voice and drama lessons.

Applications for this year opened in December 2025 and have been finalised, however students from Reception right through to Year 12 can enrol at any time across the year. If an instrument, type of lesson or teacher is already fully booked, we can place your child on a waiting list until a lesson becomes available.

For more information about our program please click here. If you’re interested in enrolling your son or daughter, please complete the online application form.

Jason Fay
Head of Junior School

Dance Soiree

We are very excited to present our 2026 Dance Soirée this Monday 30 March at 5.00pm in Wyatt Hall. It is an excellent opportunity for some of our dancers to showcase solos and duets, along with our Middle School Dance Troupe BLUE. FoPA will also be running a bar at the event from 4.30pm, so we encourage you to come along and enjoy the show.

We extend a special invitation to our current Junior School Co-Curricular dancers to attend. This is a free event, and all are welcome to attend.

Junior Handbell – ‘Come and Try’ Session Friday 27 March

We invite Year 3 – Year 6 Junior School students to come along to our Junior Handbell ‘Come and Try’ session this Friday 27 March. It will be held in the Music Classroom, Nicholls Buildings, from 8.00-8.30am .

Winter Music Festival – Saturday 13 June

On Saturday 13 June, our three Winter Concerts will take place in Wyatt Hall:

• 3.00pm Choral Concert
• 5.00pm Junior School Concert
• 7.00pm Middle & Senior School Concert

The evening concert will feature the Pulteney School Orchestra, with Lucas Truong performing the Grieg Piano Concerto in A Minor (1st Movement), alongside several of our recent Old Scholars who will be joining us for this special performance.

We will announce which student groups will be performing in each concert next week. In the meantime, please save the date to ensure you and your children are available for this important and wonderful day.

Instrumental Music and Drama Program

Pulteney’s Performing Arts Department offers private tuition for a range of instruments as well as voice and drama lessons.

Applications for this year opened in December 2025 and have been finalised, however students from Reception right through to Year 12 can enrol at any time across the year. If an instrument, type of lesson or teacher is already fully booked, we can place your child on a waiting list until a lesson becomes available.

For more information about our program please click here. If you’re interested in enrolling your son or daughter, please complete the online application form.

Year 3 String and Year 5 Immersion Program – Progress Performance Update

We are delighted to share that our Immersion Programs (Year 3 Strings and Year 5 Band) Progress Performance will take place on Friday 1 May (Week 2, Term 2) as part of the Junior School Assembly. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase the skills they have been developing so far this year.

All students are required to bring their instruments and music to school on this day.

A reminder also of the Immersion Program Performance in Wyatt Hall on Tuesday 16 June (Week 9, Term 2):

• 5.30pm – 6.15pm: Year 3 String Program
• 6.15pm – 7.30pm: Year 5 Band Program

“How To Succeed in Business” Musical Production – TICKETS!

Firstly, a special thank you to all the parents who gave up their Sunday to assist with props and costumes over the weekend. It was wonderful to have so many of you come in and help; we achieved so much. Thank you all.

Tickets will be released TOMORROW (Wednesday 25 March) via Humanitix at 12.00am.

Ticket prices:

• Premium: $45
• Adult: $35
• Child (under 18): $30

Don’t miss what will be another brilliant production from our award-winning Pulteney Performing Arts community. We look forward to seeing you there!

This year, the Friends of Performing Arts are running a raffle for the musical production. We are seeking prize donations, so if you can contribute wine, electronic goods, or other substantial items, please let me know or drop them off to my office in the Nicholls (ground floor). We hope to have all prizes finalised by Week 4, Term 2.