When we recently farewelled the Year 12 students through their final days at School, we could not help but feel a heavy heart for their loss of the rites-of-passage they had missed as leaders of the School owing to the COVID-19 pandemic this year. The same must also be said for Year 6 students stretching across metropolitan Melbourne. Being the ‘big-kids’ at primary school is also a rite-of-passage with much cherished memories of coordinating younger primary-aged girls in House activities, fundraising days and generally enjoying their role as ‘buddies’ to Prep and Year 1 students. The early leadership lessons learned as a Year 6 leader can prompt reflection of their own behaviour which generates renewed thinking about how important it is to approach the ideas of other people with respect, consideration and positivity. Equally important is an enthusiastic approach when participating and contributing to teams.

Needless to say, our current Barbreck Year 6 students have led the Junior School admirably with a very visible presence across Assemblies throughout the year, most notably during our Learn@Home phases in Term 3. Their creativity and delivery of many video presentations each week suggests we have a number of budding media personalities, with their Assembly contributions equally reflective of their pursuit of teamwork demonstrating a ‘the show must go on’ attitude. In recent weeks, they have enjoyed participating in the annual Bike-Ed program and the signature piece of the Iron Girl event, with much cheering on the sidelines from the younger girls.

Undoubtedly, the Barbreck girls have demonstrated remarkable flexibility, autonomy and an emerging understanding of their own academic independence this year with the awakening that they can do more than they perhaps had ever realised. Our Year 6 girls appear ready to graduate and whilst they have missed some of the joy of being the ‘big-kids’ at primary school, they have returned this term with a renewed thirst for learning in the classroom.

This week, I have enjoyed a series of Year 6 Board Room Lunches in the Beaulieu Room in Sherren House. The girls have shared their reflections of learning at home, the excitement of returning to campus in Term 4 and to also imagine if they had a magic wand, what would they change at School? The girls undoubtedly share a deep appreciation for their many opportunities over their Junior School years and we look forward to acknowledging their contribution to school life at their graduation on Wednesday. Each day, as the girls arrive at School through the piazza and walk past the shiny bell that hangs from the central pillar, to conclude their time in Barbreck, each graduate will ring the bell, reflective of the number of years at the school.

After orchestrating two ‘online’ Year 7 Orientation programs in Terms 2 and 3 for the 2021 cohort, it was fabulous to actually provide an opportunity for the incoming girls to experience an on-campus orientation in recent weeks in the Senior School. Our Orientation program in Term 4 replicates the ‘day in the life’ of a Year 7 student, providing opportunity to experience a range of subjects, classrooms and teachers. The feedback about Orientation Day from the girls was overwhelmingly positive and they look forward with much excitement, enthusiasm and anticipation to the transition into our Senior School.

School Events

Owing to the recent changes to the COVID-19 Safe restrictions at School, we will miss the much-enjoyed annual Christmas Fair hosted by PFA, our Christmas Services held at St John’s Church and the presence of many parents at the exquisite annual Barbreck Christmas Concert and fun-filled House Arts performances. These events, in addition to Year 6 Graduation and Senior School Speech Day will be live-streamed and recorded for families.

This week, the Department of Education has advised schools that a small contingent of parents can attend onsite as audience members for graduation assemblies and Speech Day. With this in mind, our Year 6 parents are welcome to attend the Bell Ringing Ceremony on Wednesday in the Piazza at 12.40pm.

Thank You to our Volunteers 2020

This week the Annual General Meeting was held for the PFA and SCOGA will hold their Annual General Meeting this Saturday.

Despite the fewer than normal events held this year, the PFA remain an active group across the year. Hosting Welcome Events in Term 1, the Gratitude Lunch in Term 2 and the ISO Comedy Event in Term 3. In the final week of Term 4, the PFA have been busy with the reopening of the Second-Hand Uniform Shop coordinated by Tamsin Greig and coordinating the online sale of second hand books; thank you Pauline Wang, Erica Marriott and Julie Caldecott.

To the President, Ms Samantha Wood and all Committee members of the PFA – thank you!

I wish to also thank our Class Reps – for your continued support of our families and new families as they arrive at St Catherine’s and in some cases in Melbourne. I am aware there are often coffee mornings or lunches and tea ceremonies, which create a collective care for your daughters. It is good to know the parents in the cohort.

This year, under the continued strong leadership of Chrissy Ryan, and her fabulous committee, SCOGA has taken to supporting our current girls. Chrissy has now almost legendary status with the girls today – she has presented Teddy Bear shaped bag tags – at the 100 day mark (they love her for it – give her a big smile and delight in her presence); to the Year 6 girls, upon graduation a pin shaped in the red steps and the Year 12 girls, the role SCOGA can play in the lives of young women beyond the gates.

Auxiliaries

Our Co-curricular Auxiliaries so capably led by their Presidents, Allison Dennison: Creative Arts, Sophie Cooper: Heyington Club, Tamsin Greig: Snowsports and Lee Naylor: Sports have experienced a somewhat quiet year but plans are already in place for reuniting parents in the coming year.