As we reach the final weeks of the school year, it has been wonderful to pause and reflect on the many opportunities we have had to celebrate the learning, growth and achievements of our students. Over the past fortnight alone, our community has enjoyed the Prep to Year 2 Celebration at Donvale, last week’s Prep Celebration Assembly at Kew, a number of inspiring exhibitions of learning, and, of course, our much-loved Christmas services. Each of these events has reminded us of the energy, curiosity and capabilities our young people bring to school each day, and it has been a privilege to stand alongside them as they share their learning with such pride.
Next week, we will sadly farewell our Year 6 students as they conclude their Junior School journey. While we will honour them formally through the respective Year 6 Graduation Services, I wanted to take this opportunity to also acknowledge some very important partners in their journey: the Year 6 parents.
We are immensely proud of the learners and fine young people our Year 6 students have become, and their parents played an enormous role in shaping the young people they are today. This is particularly the case for those who found themselves stepping into co-teaching roles during the remote-learning years. You will forever hold the distinguished honour of having homeschooled your child during Years 1 and 2, their foundational years of literacy, numeracy and online meeting etiquette (and, let’s be honest, some of those early-morning Canvas meetings required just as much resilience from parents as they did from the children!)
In all seriousness, thank you for entrusting us with your child’s Junior School years, and for the countless ways you have supported their learning and our community. When we consider the number of school lunches and snacks you have prepared (a figure I suspect comfortably sits in the thousands); the early-morning rehearsals you have transported children to; the carnivals you have cheered at; the exhibitions of learning, soirees and community events you have attended – it is clear that the success of our Junior School is built on a strong and generous partnership with families.
We are also enormously grateful to the Year 6 parent community for organising the much anticipated end-of-year celebrations for our students. The graduation dinner for our Donvale students and the disco for our Kew students promise to be wonderful finale moments, and we appreciate the time and care that has gone into creating these memorable experiences.
To those families whose youngest or only child is graduating from Junior School on Tuesday, we extend our warmest thanks and farewell. Thank you for walking alongside us throughout your child’s early school years, for your partnership and for the many contributions you have made to the life of our school. You will always remain part of our community, and we hope the transition to Middle School brings renewed excitement and pride.
For families with younger siblings still journeying through the Junior School, I look forward to continuing our partnership in the years ahead. It is a privilege to work with your children and your ongoing support strengthens all that we strive to deliver.
As we approach Christmas, I hope each of you is able to enjoy time together as a family – resting, reconnecting and celebrating the end of a full and rewarding year. I will be spending a couple of weeks in New York over Christmas and New Year, and based on Melbourne’s current temperatures, I’m not entirely sure the weather will be much of a change! Nonetheless, I am looking forward to the break and wish the same for all of you.
Thank you again for your support, trust and partnership throughout 2025. I wish every family a wonderful Christmas and a safe, restful holiday break.
Kylie Baxter
Head of Junior School
