Term 4 traditionally in most schools is a season of transitions, finishings, and celebrations.

Throughout the term, we have a range of transition times for students in certain year levels:

• Kindy into Prep
• Prep into Year 1
• Year 6 into Year 7

Managing change in children is important, in terms of establishing what the new routines and expectations will be, in order to make the change as comfortable as possible. Kindy into Prep can be the most difficult transition, or the best, depending on how it is done. Research shows that if we get this first major transition in life right for children, there are enormous benefits for future life changes, with children handling major adjustments emotionally much better. Our Prep staff do a wonderful job of carefully welcoming our newest students into Genesis over term 4, and beginning to instil into them the culture of Genesis. They do this through three separate transition days, with students experiencing life in Prep classrooms, as well as the number of specialist activities and subjects they will encounter in Prep.

For the Year 6 students, whilst transitioning into Secondary is a priority, much of the last term is spent finishing Primary school well, with their final Colours Assembly, Final Chapel Service, Year 5 and 6 Celebration Service, Graduation and finally, the Graduation Dinner. These events are milestones in children’s lives, with very fond memories created. Our staff team work really hard to make each event symbolic of the achievements or celebrations we are honouring at each service. Please pay close attention to the College Calendar and letters sent home for key dates and requirements for each event.

Sport in our Primary School is flourishing with Mrs McCarthy our Director of Sport, leading our curriculum and co-curricular sporting activities. Term 4 sees all of our Prep to Year 2 students doing swimming lessons at the Genesis Aquatics Centre as part of their weekly program. Year 3 to 6 students have their annual swimming carnival on Friday,  8 November to which parents are welcome to attend.

This term in Primary, we welcome to our staff Mrs Jamie-Lee Le Roux who replaced Mr Ryan Wilkinson following his departure from Genesis. We also welcome Miss Amelia Wooderson into the Year 5 team, replacing Mrs Keran Hart whilst on maternity leave. We also welcome back to Genesis Mrs Sandra Greenwood, replacing Mrs Laura Horsley whilst on maternity leave.

Jeremy Williamson

Head of School (Primary)