School Values – Respect
At Bacchus Marsh Grammar, Respect is one of our core values and is central to how we engage with each other as students, staff and families. We aim to foster a school environment where respectful behaviour is modelled and encouraged in all interactions.
Our teachers and students continue to explore the idea of respect, what it looks like in our classrooms, playgrounds and the wider community. Our conversations have focused on the importance of listening to others, being kind and appreciating different perspectives.
As part of these discussions, we have also taken time to reflect on the importance of understanding and valuing the diverse cultures that make up our community. These reflections align with broader conversations happening across the country, including those during this week of national significance.
We encourage families to continue these conversations at home, helping children to think about what respect means in everyday life. By working together, we can continue to build a culture of care, understanding and inclusivity.
Mrs Sally Savic – Head of Junior School: Woodlea and
Mr Darren Gibson – Head of Junior School: Maddingley
Maddingley
Year 2
This term, the Year 2 students have been enthusiastically engaging in a diverse range of enriching activities based on the topic Cycles in Nature during their English lessons. In the coming weeks, they will begin to delve into the captivating world of insects, the largest group of animals on Earth. Through research and exploration, students will gain insights into the intricate life cycles of insects, their distinctive features—such as antennae, thorax and abdomen—as well as their fascinating exoskeletons. They will also explore the behavioural differences between social and solitary insects.
Last week, the students had the privilege of participating in an engaging incursion hosted by Wild Action, which provided them with valuable knowledge about insects. During this event, they had hands-on experiences holding and observing various insects, including the spiny leaf stick insect, giant burrowing cockroaches, sea stars, yabbies and spider crabs. This interactive session allowed them to closely inspect insect body parts and apply their understanding.
Additionally, they had the unique opportunity to encounter other fascinating creatures such as a tarantula, a blue ringed octopus and a sugar glider; discovering intriguing facts about their habitats, diets and unique adaptations. This was a fantastic hands-on learning experience for our students, and the presenter was very impressed with the knowledge they already possessed, the insightful observations they made, and the curiosity demonstrated by the Year 2 students.
Mrs Samantha Di Mieri – Head of Year 2
Woodlea
National Simultaneous Storytime – The Truck Cat
On 21 May at 12:00pm, our Junior School proudly participated in National Simultaneous Storytime, a much-loved annual event that promotes the joy of reading across Australia. This year’s chosen story was the heart-warming The Truck Cat, written by Deborah Frenkel and illustrated by Danny Snell.
To make the experience even more memorable, several of our senior students visited Junior School classrooms to read aloud and model expressive, joyful reading. Their presence helped bring the story to life and reinforced the sense of community that books can create.
Year 1 students extended their learning through a reflective literacy task designed to deepen their understanding of the story’s central theme — the idea that “home” can be more than just a place. Each student contributed a personalised reflection, creating a wall display in the shape of a house. This visual piece beautifully captured their diverse interpretations of what home means to them.
Some thoughtful reflections included:
“Home is my dog.” – Adem 1WC
“Home is me hugging my mum.” – Aiden 1WB
“Home is my brother snoring.” – Ajooni 1WD
“Home is safe because I have my family.” – Tanishka 1WA
National Simultaneous Storytime is a powerful reminder of the role stories play in connecting us, building empathy and sparking imagination. A warm thank you to all staff and students involved in making this year’s celebration of reading such a rich and meaningful experience.
Mrs Courtney Williams – Deputy Head of Junior School
Year 1
This Term, Year 1 students from the Woodlea Campus enjoyed a hands-on and creative excursion to Staughton Vale. During their visit, students decorated their own birdhouses using markers, glue and natural materials found around the farm. The activity encouraged creativity, as each student had the opportunity to personalise their birdhouse and make thoughtful choices about the colours, textures, and decorations they used. Back in the classroom, the students reflected on their experience by writing their own procedures. It was wonderful to see how well they were able to draw on their time at Staughton Vale; carefully considering the unique steps they took to complete their birdhouse. Students practised adapting their usual procedural writing structure to match their specific materials and method. The students had a fantastic day engaging in a range of meaningful and enjoyable activities that supported their learning.
The Year 1 Team
