In our second week of School, we find all students have settled, and the School is in full swing! As we begin to personalise the learning programs for the students, there is some testing which is occurring as well as much learning.

Next week, we will begin our Extension programs in English: Reading and/or Writing and Mathematics: Numbers and Algebra. Parents of students moving into Extension programs will be advised by their class teachers.

Leadership Assembly

This week at our Leadership Assembly, we presented all of the Year 6 girls with their leadership badge and their Leadership Agreement to acknowledge their role in leading the Junior School in 2021. We congratulate all girls who were elected into specific leadership positions which are listed below.

2021 Junior School Captains

A highlight to the assembly was the Junior School Captains’ Speech. Their theme for the year is Believe and they wrote their speech on this theme.

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I am Chloe Nash and beside me is Claudia Driver. We are so excited to be your Junior School Captains for 2021.

We understand that being a Junior School Captain comes with great responsibility and expectation, ones we realised when we put our names forward for the Junior School Captains’ elections. We both love this School with all of our hearts. This School makes us all feel comfortable and safe, just like being at home does. We want to work hard in making Barbreck the best School for you and we pledge that we will be diligent in our efforts, considerate in our actions, and kind and respectful in our interactions.

As such, we spent much time considering our theme for the year. After much thinking and discussing, we decided on the theme ‘Believe’. Now before you question this theme, let us explain the reasons we have faith in ‘Believe’ as a great theme.

Last year was pretty rough on all of us, so we want to believe that 2021 is going to be the best year ever!

We also believe that girls need to believe in themselves. Often girls have self-doubts and we want girls to turn that frown upside down, get rid of that negative thinking, move into a positive mindset and start to believe that they can accomplish and succeed at much. Girls, trust yourself to put in the effort, think carefully, take considered risks with learning and trying new things, (not jumping out of a moving vehicle!), have a thoughtful and caring voice, put yourself forward and believe that you are worthy of consideration.

We also believe that girls should stick together, stand up for one another, be the cheer squad for girls’ successes and accomplishments, treat girls as your sister (not the squabbling kind!), build a sisterhood where we believe in each other, respect each other, encourage each other and support each other. We also believe in our School and teachers to look after us, guide us, teach us, support us, encourage us and educate us to the best of our abilities. We believe in Barbreck.

We found three quotes that really resonated with us:

The first: ‘You are good enough, smart enough, beautiful enough and strong enough. Believe it and never let insecurities run your life.’

The second:’ Good things come to those who believe, Better things to those who are patient, and Best things come to those who never give up.’

The third: ‘Be brave to stand up for what you believe in, even if you stand alone.’

However, at Barbreck, you will never stand alone – we want everyone to believe in standing together.

Because, as your Junior School Captains – Girls, we believe in you.

—

Ambassador Program

To support the development of leadership skills, the Years 5 and 6 classes will be participating in the Ambassador Program. This program aims to teach girls many of the skills leaders needs to possess. Some of the topics covered will be:

• Public Speaking
  • Introducing a guest speaker
  • Giving a vote of thanks, accepting an award
  • Speaking at a lectern
  • Using a microphone
• Organisation and Management
  • Meeting protocols
  • Event planning- business plans
  • Diary management
  • Time management
  • Forming and working in a team – team skills
  • Communication Skills
• Service to the School
  • Organising lunch time events
  • Roles and responsibilities…..

These skills are ones that will benefit the girls now and throughout their life journey.