During professional learning sessions this year, Junior School teachers have reflected on the range of information about students that teachers can use to determine where each student is now in her learning, her areas for growth and how to facilitate progress. A key strategy to drive progress is differentiation, which involves actively planning to meet the needs of all students, even though they are at different starting points.

We might think of students working in ability-based groups or completing levelled activities as the main forms of differentiation. In fact, teachers use many strategies, including open-ended questioning, problem-solving and challenge-based learning, individual, group and whole-class instruction, and student choice in demonstrating understanding.

Differentiation is integral to planning and teaching in the Junior School in all subjects, and we are grateful to Mrs Fiona Elliott and Mrs Elizabeth Betbeder for leading the professional learning sessions.

JSA Walk-a-thon and Father’s Day Breakfast

The girls can wear their sport uniforms and House-coloured hair accessories for the Olympic-themed JSA Walk-a-thon on Friday 16 August. Sponsorship donations should be deposited by Friday 30 August. Please ensure your daughter’s name and class are included in the reference or message section. Thank you for your support of the JSA’s annual fundraising event.

The JSA Father’s Day Breakfast will be held at the Junior School Campus on Tuesday 27 August, beginning at 7:15am. Please note that all tickets must be purchased online by 9:00pm on Tuesday 20 August. Thank you to the JSA for organising this special event.