This week, Reverend Creed shares an Easter reflection as we head into the Term 1 school holidays.
We recently held our Ormiston Spirit Award assembly in the Barbara Sutton Hall at Secondary School to honour students’ personal bests and contributions during Semester One. Students received an Ormiston Spirit badge and certificate recognising their outstanding achievements.
As Head of Junior School, I enjoy seeing our students demonstrate CGGS School Values of Respect, Integrity, Commitment, Hope, and Courage in the classroom, playground, and during co-curricular activities.
Congratulations to the following students:
Class Awards
Foundation Harper D
Year 1W lva L
Year 1C Jessica Z
Year 2 Angie Y
Year 3 Madison A
Year 4 Caroline C
Year 5G Aryana P
Year 5S Cathy Z
Year 6G Isabella X
Year 6H Mila Leong
Specialist Subjects
F-3 Art Naomi L
Y4-6 Art Alina L
F-3 PE Alicia J
Y4-6 PE Isabella-Rose S
F-3 Music Harriet D
Y4-6 Music Mahva M
F-3 Library Elliana B
Y4-6 Library Aileen L
F-6 STEAM Cathy G
F-4 Chinese Anna Z
(Heritage)
F-4 Chinese Ashika S
(Mainstream)
Y5-6 French Lucy W
This semester, our Ormiston School Captains Audrey and Neesha have been presenting at assemblies, participating in school events, and engaging in Year 6 activities. As part of their role, they must complete one project each semester. As result, Audrey and Neesha made the decision to do a project in Term 1. This exciting project revolved around our CGGS school values and our school community.
The school captains asked the students and teachers to write down some words and/or sentences about a specific school value. For instance, the value courage had words such as pride, bravery, hero and fearless. One sentence read, ‘don’t be scared to try new things.’ Across all five school values of respect, integrity, commitment, hope and courage, there were many wonderful words and sentences written by the students and staff.
A big Thank You to our school captains Audrey and Neesha for completing their first project for the year that involved the school community. As a Junior School, we look forward to their next project sometime in Semester Two.
Ormiston students participated in a local Easter colouring-in competition organised by MP Jess Wilson. Numerous entries were submitted, and two students were selected as winners. The winning students were Tiffany C (Year 2) and Estelle K (Year 5). Both entries were noted for their use of colours and high-quality colouring-in. Tiffany and Estelle received their awards from MP Jess Wilson this week.
I would like to wish all our Ormiston families a wonderful holiday break and Easter. All EL3 – Year 6 students are required back at Junior School on Tuesday 22 April.
Paul Donohue
Head of Junior School
As part of finding out about Woiwurrung language, the children engaged in interactive workshops with Pallyan which provided opportunities for the children to learn greetings and animal names in Woiwurrung language and develop an understanding about the seven seasons of the Kulin Nation, in particular Iuk (eel) season. As communicators we have embedded greetings into our daily practices and the children confidently say burndap barring (good morning) and burndap barrande (good afternoon) to each other; and gudjinna (hello) and triganin (see you later).
As part of sorting out their thinking, the children were provided with time and opportunity to document their discoveries about the names of animals in Woiwurrung language and their specific features, including bebejan (kookaburra), ingalinga (echidna) and woterang (platypus).
The children expressed wonder and interest when they explored the purpose and function of an actual eel trap that Pallyan brought to the classroom. As creative and imaginative thinkers, the children used different languages, including clay, drawing and paint, to express their ideas and discoveries about eel traps. The children demonstrated persistence, as they manipulated the clay to form their own eels and eel trap, and intentionality as they created lines and patterns through their drawings and paintings of eel traps. Children’s active involvement changes what they know, can do and value, and transforms their learning and thinking.
The eels get stuck in the eel trap and the big ones cannot go through the little hole. Finlay
Eel traps are made from grass. The big eels get stuck in the eel trap. The small eels can go through the eel trap. Jocelyn
The big elk gets stuck in the eel trap. If it’s a small elk the small elk will go out the small hole. Nolan
Eels can get out of the water, and they can climb. Eel traps have a big hole and a small hole. Elakiya
The big eel will get stuck in the eel trap and the small eel will go through the eel trap. The eel trap
is made from grass. Elsa
The big eel gets stuck, and the small eel can come out. The Wurundjeri people cook the eels. Mia
Learning about the seasons of the Kulin Nation fosters cultural understanding, promotes respect for First Nations knowledge, enhances children’s connection to their natural world and teaches them about the importance of respecting and caring for their local environment. By understanding the Kulin Nation’s seasonal knowledge, children can develop a greater appreciation for the interconnectedness of nature and the subtle changes that occur in our local environment.
Angela Follacchio
Early Learning 4 Full Time Teacher
Years 3-6 students participated in the House Cross Country event at Shenley Grounds. The 2km or 3km track challenged students with rough terrain and hills, promoting physical activity and persistence. It was great to see everyone having fun, trying their best, and cheering each other on.
This term, we focused on the value of commitment in PE. Despite facing cramps, exhaustion, and injuries, students pushed through with dedication and support from teachers and peers.
The event emphasized participation, and it was fantastic to see all students complete the course. Divided into three age groups (9/10, 11, and 12/13 years), those who finished in the top 10 will represent CGGS at District Cross Country in Term 2. Congratulations to SINGLETON, the winning House for back-to-back victories in 2024 and 2025!
Kim James
This term, Year 1 students explored how past stories, objects, and events help us understand the present. They learned about life milestones by creating timelines of their own special events. Comparing old and new objects like telephones, toys, and sports clothing, they noted changes in materials, design, safety, and how these objects are powered.
The unit ended with an ‘olden days’ experience featuring Mrs. Sargood from the National Trust, who shared stories of the Sargood family in the 1860s. Students dressed as children from that era, wrote with dip pens, heard tales of 19th-century life, and learned about school rules and punishments back then. They concluded that modern teachers are friendlier, and they prefer learning today.
Some students were keen to share their thoughts on their experience:
Ella Z – Mrs Sargood was very strict. I liked writing the curly writing because some of the letters were curly, like the letter, A. The letter E looked like a three.
Naomi L – Mrs Sargood was very funny. She thought our colourful walls were confusing because in the past there weren’t many things on the walls, just a picture of Queen Victoria. I liked learning about what school was like in the olden days.
Olivia Z – I learnt that there were no coloured pictures in the past. The students had to write sentences over and over again to learn them. I enjoyed doing the ink writing.
Elektra I – I learnt how students dressed differently to how we dress. I enjoyed the ink writing because they wrote differently than us. It was hard to do!
Angela Columbine and Elizabeth Warren
Year 1 Classroom Teachers
In Year 2, we have been learning about safety and health, focusing recently on our bodies. Using STEAM, we engaged in hands-on activities to understand how our bodies function.
In Week 6, Year 2 students visited a Senior School lab to learn about muscles and ligaments. They discovered how a human arm resembles a chicken wing, dissected a chicken wing, and observed muscle and ligament movements. We then created a model using cardboard and rubber bands.
To conclude our unit, students made a ‘How to’ guide showcasing their understanding. They covered topics like illness, nutrition, and body systems. Have a look and check out their learning!
Peter Sartori
Year 2 Classroom Teacher
This week, Reverend Creed shares an Easter reflection as we head into the Term 1 school holidays.
Term 1 ended vibrantly with the House Dance Competition last night and numerous exciting learning opportunities.
Junior School students are excitedly heading into the Term 1 break after a busy final fortnight of the term.
The PFA was delighted by the support shown at their most significant event of the year—the Moonlight Movie Night.
