Junior School, Term 4 Week 5 2025

Shrek Jr, a musical performed by our Year 5 and 6 children, played to three sold out audiences last week. Each performance was of the highest standard and each child played their role to perfection. The energy of the cast was palpable backstage, and the experience will stay with them for many years. Congratulations to every Year 5 and 6!

A massive thank you to Michelle McGill for her direction and passion to pull such a huge event together. The amount of hours Michelle puts into a musical of this size is unquantifiable. Her passion and commitment visibly comes through on stage via the performances and I know for Michelle this is the ultimate reward.

Thank you also to all of the staff, volunteering parents and sound/AV assistants for their commitment to the show. Its an incredible team effort by so many people and without this type of dedication, the show can’t go on.

Appointment of new Head of ELC

We are delighted to announce the appointment of the new Head of Early Learning Centre and Care at Pulteney. Please read more HERE.

Nature Market

On Friday 21 November, we will have our final Nature Market for the year. This Semester, the Reception – Year 2 students will be selling their items. The market will operate between 8.45am and 10.00am. One of the key ideas behind the Nature Market is sustainability.

We know that in the past there have been families who have sold products such as sauces and preserves etc. If you would like to be involved, please email Kass Woods at Kass.woods@pulteney.sa.edu.au

We ask that any stall requests reflect the theme of sustainability and recognise that most customers on the day will be children.

The Junior School Nature Markets provide an opportunity for the children to be involved in an event that promotes not only sustainability, but entrepreneurial skills and an understanding of the basic financial skills of selling items for a profit or a loss. The Junior School Nature Market is also an opportunity for the children to delve deeper into making and designing a product that they can make and sell. Products will be made from reusable and sustainable items. With the cost associated with the products kept to a minimum.

As the Junior School Nature Market is an opportunity for the children to raise money for a worthy cause, children are able to bring items from home to sell on the day, as well as what they sell from their class.

Examples of items to be brought in from home:

• Propagated plants.
• Home-made items – please ensure items are clearly labelled with ingredients and do not contain nuts.
• Home grown produce, such as fruit and vegetables.
• No products with excessive sugar are to be brought in, such as lollies, or drinks.

Save the Dates

• R-6 Move Up Day: 26 November
• Year 2 Celebration Assembly: 27 November
• Year 6 Celebration Assembly: 1 December
• R-4 Christmas Concert: 4 December

School Timetable

Over the last few weeks, two final year students from the Flinders University School of Occupational Therapy have been working on projects that benefit the School. One project is assisting with the review of the Sensory Room in Kurrajong, whilst the other looking at the optimal school timetable.

The current structure of the Junior School timetable has been in effect since the beginning of 2024. It sees a two-lesson block in the morning and three-lesson block after lunch. In the eyes of Junior School teachers, the current structure creates less time for literacy and numeracy blocks in the morning and longer blocks late in the day when children are tired and lack focus. This longer block in the afternoon can also create regulation and behavioural issues due to the length of time between lunch and the end of the day.

The project will look at how to structure seven lessons strategically throughout the day to prevent cognitive overload. It will also look at the timing of the recess and lunch breaks. Currently, the first break is at 10.15am and the second break at 12.15pm and the project will look at timing of breaks (set in timetable and casual breaks during lessons) and how breaks influence learning and wellbeing factors. Designing an optimal timetable is essential for maximising student concentration and output, energy and regulation levels, and overall decision making and wellbeing. This project will challenge us to consider a timetable that balances academic rigor with vital breaks, ensuring that children can maintain focus throughout the day.

If you have any thoughts about the school timetable, snacks and food during the day and the timing and nature of breaks, please feel free to email me Jason.fay@pulteney.sa.edu.au

Jason Fay
Head of Junior School

PE Day

PE Day 2025 is an annual event designed to promote physical activity and participation in sport and recreation. This year, it will take place in Term 4 on Friday, 14 November. Students are encouraged to come dressed in their PE uniform along with their favourite sports or team tops, hats, and accessories. There will be games at recess and lunch in the Quad for students to enjoy with friends.

A gold coin donation is requested, with all proceeds going to support our friends in Nepal at Shadberry International School and Texas International School.

A sausage sizzle will also be available for purchase at lunchtime in the Quad, with proceeds contributing to the same cause. Students are invited to join the fun, get involved, and support this exciting day for a great cause.

When: Friday 14 November (Week 5)
Where: Games and Sausage Sizzle in the Quad at lunchtime
Uniform: Sports uniform with favourite sports team accessories (hat, shirts, scarf)
What to Bring: A gold coin donation to support under-resourced schools in Nepal, and extra money to purchase sausage at lunchtime (proceeds will also benefit the same cause).
Who: ELC to Year 11 students.

FIRST LEGO Robotics Competition – Sunday 16 November

FIRST LEGO League is a multifaceted competition that sees students building and programming a robot to complete a series of challenges in two and a half minutes on a set game board. Students also have to investigate a topical issue around a theme. This year’s theme, Unearthed, looks at problems encountered in the world of archaeology.  At all stages of the competition students must demonstrate strong teamwork and the FIRST values “Coopertition” and Gracious professionalism.

This year the school has two teams competing in the competition on Sunday 16 November at Pulteney. The two teams are the Pulteney Pro Programmers and the Pulteney Robo Squad.

Assistance Required

The junior students have been investigating the Kaurna trail and looking at ways to uncover and share the stories of the trail more widely with our community. As part of their inquiry, they have written a survey to collect data on how many people are familiar with this trail. They are looking for further respondents. If you are able to complete their short survey, please click the following link.

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/TD3jJXCc1C

Spectators are more than welcome. If you are interested in seeing the teams in action, please join us on Sunday 16 November at Pulteney Grammar School.

Tom Ranieri and Georgie Buenfeld
Coaches

AnglicareSA Christmas Toy and Food Hamper Drive

AnglicareSA is deeply grateful for the prayerful and practical support of the Anglican Community as they continue to walk alongside individuals and families in need. As a member of that Anglican Community, Pulteney has once again signed up to donate to the annual appeal, pledging 100 Food Hampers.

The end of the year is naturally a time for reflection, gratitude and celebration. Students have been invited to engage those mindsets and contribute to the AnglicareSA Christmas Toy and Food Hamper drive. Each classroom has a donation point for food items to be collected. Donations of toys and other items can be taken directly to the Chapel.

For the guidelines surrounding donations, please refer HERE. We thank you in anticipation for your support and generosity.