Curiosity Comes Alive During Book Week
Last week our Junior School celebrated Children’s Book Week 2025 with great enthusiasm. This year’s theme, “Book an Adventure!”, inspired students (and teachers) to journey through stories and explore new worlds, meet unforgettable characters, and discover the magic of reading.
Children’s Book Week has been celebrated in Australia since 1945, when the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) first launched the event to promote a love of reading among young Australians. The inaugural theme, “United Through Books,” reflected a post-war hope for peace and connection through storytelling. Over the decades, Book Week grew into a national Australian tradition, with schools and libraries across the country hosting parades, author visits, and creative activities. Each year, a new theme is chosen to inspire children and celebrate Australian literature, supported by vibrant artwork from leading illustrators. In 2025, the theme “Book an Adventure!” marked the 80th anniversary of this cherished celebration.
As part of Book Week, we were thrilled to welcome acclaimed Australian author and illustrator Aura Parker to the College. Aura, known for her joyful and nature-inspired books like Bowerbird Blues, shared her creative process, read aloud to students, and led a hands-on drawing workshop. Her visit sparked imagination and excitement across the Junior School, and students were inspired to create their own stories and illustrations.
One of the highlights of the week was our Character Dress-Up Parade, where students came dressed as their favourite book characters. From wizards and explorers to animals and adventurers, the creativity on display was outstanding! Our teachers also joined the fun, dressing up in themed costumes that delighted and surprised the students. After the parade, families were invited to stay and enjoy a picnic lunch in the beautiful sunshine, creating a warm and festive atmosphere. It was a joyful celebration of storytelling, imagination, and community spirit.
As part of our celebration of curiosity and learning, the students involved in our Inquiry Group proudly presented their research projects to staff and families on Wednesday afternoon. These students had explored topics that mattered to them, asked big questions, and developed creative ways to share their findings. Their presentations showcased critical thinking, collaboration, and deep engagement with the inquiry process. Families and staff were impressed by the confidence, enthusiasm and insight shown by our young researchers.
Finally, we ended the term with the Recognition Awards Assembly to acknowledge those who have received Powerful Learner and Principal’s Awards. It has been a very busy Term 3 and we are looking forward to the holiday break. I know many staff and families are travelling overseas and interstate during this time and my prayer is for safety and relaxation for everyone.
Save the Date – Junior School Colour Run
Get ready for a splash of colour! The P&F Junior School Colour Run Fundraiser is set for Friday the 14th of November 2025 (Week 5). This will be a fun and active event for all students from Prep to Year 6.
Fundraising will start early Term 4 and details will be sent home to families soon — for now, please save the date!
God bless,
Mrs Jenny Squire
Deputy Principal – Head of Junior School
Sport
What a term it has been! Despite the rain and a few rescheduled games, our students have enjoyed a brilliant season of sport. Their enthusiasm, resilience, and team spirit have shone through in every competition. From IPSSO finals to individual achievements, there’s so much to celebrate. Here are some of the standout moments from Term 3:
IPSSO Finals Success
Our IPSSO teams wrapped up the season with fantastic results at the finals! Congratulations to:
- Junior Netball Team – Finished 2nd after a strong season and a determined finals performance.
- Senior Netball Team – Secured 3rd place, showing great teamwork and perseverance.
- Senior AFL Team – Took out 2nd place, with some thrilling plays and excellent sportsmanship.
- Junior Newcomb ball Team – Champions of the tournament, finishing 1st! The team played wonderfully and represented our college with pride and passion.
We’re so proud of every student who participated and gave their best. A huge thank you to our coaches and supporters for their encouragement throughout the season.
CSSA Zone Basketball Gala Day
Our basketball teams travelled to Sutherland to compete in the CSSA Zone Basketball Gala Day, and both teams gave outstanding performances:
- The Girls Team finished 2nd in their pool, earning a spot in the semi-finals. They played with great determination but were narrowly defeated by Shire Christian School in a hard-fought match.
- The Boys Team finished 3rd in their pool, competing against five other schools. They won 4 out of their 5 games, showing excellent teamwork and consistency throughout the day.
It was a fantastic experience for all involved, and we’re proud of how our students represented the college both on and off the court.
Leo Shines on the Footy Show
A huge congratulations to Leo S, who recently appeared on the Footy Show representing his local footy club, the Oran Park Chargers! It was a very exciting and memorable experience for Leo, who spoke confidently about junior footy and had the chance to meet some of his sporting heroes. His passion for the game and his proud representation of the Chargers made it a moment to remember. Well done, Leo!
Rocco’s Football Triumph
A massive congratulations to Rocco P, who finished his soccer season with an incredible grand final win against Marconi, with a commanding 5–1 victory! Rocco plays for the Western Condors and takes his soccer very seriously — his commitment and passion were on full display throughout the season. Not only did his team win the grand final, but they also secured the Minor Premiership for the U11 Division 1 competition. Well done, Rocco — an amazing achievement!
God bless,
Mrs Stephanie Wright
Sports Coordinator