Issue 39 | 13th February 2026

Supporting learning through routine

They help you get organised and study well every day.
They help everyone be organised and less stressed.
Routines prevent confusion, and students can help other teachers learn their routines.
Our routine for collecting laptops in the morning helps prevent damage.
We use WALK to remind us how to move safely and quietly around the school. This keeps us safe and helps other students focus on their learning.
Lining up helps us get into our classes more efficiently.
Routines stop us from wasting time and help us get us into our learning quickly.

Routines aren’t only helpful at school – they can make home life smoother as well. When my children were young, I realised there were certain times of the day when things seemed to go wrong. By identifying these moments and then working out a routine that we could use, I found that there were less moments of frustration for both my children and me. For example, one of my children often struggled to be ready for school in the morning, so together we developed a routine that helped her begin each day calm and prepared.

Our Junior School routines also help students stay engaged in learning right up until the school day ends. Please remember that lessons do not finish until 3:20pm. To maintain a focused learning environment, we ask families to wait until 3:20pm before picking up their children and to avoid standing or sitting near classrooms before this time. For those collecting students from the H–J quad, please remain outside the school until 3:20pm.

Please note important reminders when picking up your child/ren:

K-2 students who are being picked up in the car pick up will be walked up to the waiting area in time for a 3:15 pick up.
Kindergarten to Year 6 students who are being picked up by the parents who have walked into school can be picked up from 3:20pm
PreK parents and carers must park and walk in to collect their child. Gate 5 opens at 2.50pm for PreK parents. Please use the marked parking spaces in the bay closest to the through road at K Block. Prior to 3:10pm in the afternoon, the Kiss and Drop Zone may be used as 5-minute parking.
Kindergarten to Year 6 parents are asked not to use these spaces until 3:20pm, or between 8:45 and 9:15am as these are set aside for PreK parents who must park and sign their children in and out of the school day.

As we settle into the rhythms of the new school year, I thank you for your partnership and support. Establishing strong routines, both at school and at home, helps our students and your children feel confident, cared for, and ready to learn each day. I am grateful for the way we all work together to create calm, purposeful and joyful learning spaces for every student. I look forward to the growth, curiosity and connection that this year will bring for our Junior School students.

Dr Kaye Chalwell, Head of Junior School

Strengthening learning through Reading

A welcome start to the school year

What a joy it has been to begin the year together and so positively. The opening weeks of school bring fresh routines, renewed friendships, and the shared sense of possibility that comes with new beginnings. We are grateful for the positive and purposeful way our students have returned, embracing both the opportunities and responsibilities that a new school year brings.

It has been particularly encouraging to see our Chapel services and Senior School Assemblies well underway. These gatherings are such an important part of who we are as a community. They provide space for reflection, celebration and connection, reminding us that learning is not only academic, but also wholistic. Our Student Leaders commenced the year reminding those in Years 7-12 that they will guide and support them. This message was cleverly reinforced through their ‘Friends’ style video which entertained us, but also emphasised their message: ‘I’ll be there for you’ . Our students have engaged in these sessions thoughtfully, and we look forward to continuing to build on these strong foundations throughout the year.

A highlight of these early weeks was our Swimming Carnival. Although weather and safety concerns meant that we were limited in the number of people permitted to compete, those who were there demonstrated impressive determination.

Congratulations to all of the students who participated so enthusiastically, and especially to Cuthbert House, who were announced as the 2026 champions. The spirit of participation and house pride was evident across all teams, and it was wonderful to see students supporting one another both in and out of the pool.

Our teaching staff have a High Expectations approach which encourages students to reach their personal best. This focus invites each student to consider not comparison with others, but commitment to growth, setting meaningful goals and working steadily towards them. We want our young adults to understand that progress comes through perseverance, courage and faithfulness in the small steps taken each day.

As we encourage effort and determination, we also remind students that they do not walk this journey alone. In Philippians 4:13 we read, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This verse speaks not of effortless success, but of faithful reliance - trusting that with Jesus’ guidance and strength, we are equipped to meet challenges, pursue excellence, and grow in character. Our hope is that students will lean into this truth as they strive for their personal best in classrooms, on the sporting field, and in their relationships with one another.

Thank you to the many parents who attended our Welcome Evening on Thursday. Your presence and partnership are appreciated by our teachers and leaders. Education is at its most powerful when school and home work together, and we deeply value the trust you place in us as we journey alongside your children.

We look forward to all that this year will bring: the milestones, the challenges, the celebrations, and the growth. May it be a year marked by purpose, perseverance and faith.