Junior School Auxiliary
The strength of a school community lies in the connections among its families. At Meriden, where families come from across Sydney, the Junior School Auxiliary (JSA) plays an essential role in building those connections. Through events such as the Twilight Picnic, Mother’s Day Stall, and Father’s Day Breakfast, the JSA helps parents meet through opportunities to volunteer and socialise.
It has been a privilege this year to work closely with the JSA team. I have been grateful for the care and commitment they have shown in ensuring that each event meets the needs of the community and serves its particular purpose. After each event, they take time to consider what worked well, seek feedback, and explore ways to make the next experience even better. This thoughtful practice mirrors the qualities we strive to nurture in our girls: the openness to learn, the humility to listen, and the joy of serving others.
At this year’s AGM, we said farewell to Mrs Janet Kim, our outgoing Secretary. We extend sincere thanks for her three years of exemplary service. Her clarity, warmth, and organisation have been appreciated by me and the members of the JSA.
The following volunteers have accepted executive roles in the JSA: Mrs Julia Lee has been re-elected as President, Ms Soomi Yang re-elected as Vice-President, and Ms Irene Chiu has been re-elected as Treasurer. We warmly welcome Ms Stacy Wu as Secretary.
To each of these women, and to all JSA members who give their time and energy to building community, thank you. Your work makes a difference, and we are grateful.
Outdoor education
From my earliest days as a teacher, I have loved the experience of camp. It is a unique opportunity to see the girls in a different environment and one that takes many of them out of their comfort zones. Educational psychologist Lev Vygotsky described the “zone of proximal development” as the space just beyond what is comfortable, where learning and growth take place. For many of our girls, camp offered this challenge and discovery.
Camp provides every student with a challenge. For some, it was the courage to spend nights away from home for the first time. For others, it was the thrill of learning new skills such as rock climbing, kayaking, or cycling. I found it encouraging to see the girls supporting their friends, showing grit and learning how to collaborate with each other in new ways.
Year 5 students will arrive back from Galston Gorge tomorrow, with other grades having returned earlier in the week. All girls I have spoken with have expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to attend camp with their friends and their teachers.