Junior School
The Junior School at Walford encourages girls to develop a love of learning, a strong sense of self and friendships that will last a lifetime. Walford Junior School girls are encouraged to ask questions and be curious. Academic standards are high, and we believe it is equally as important that each girl strives to be her own personal best for a future that will require courage and flexibility.
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Learning and Teaching
The Junior School at Walford offers purposefully-sized class groupings, led by the anchor of classroom mentor teachers. Teaching specialists also provide instruction and targeted teaching in specific learning areas such as Music, French, Chinese Mandarin, Design Thinking, Digital Technologies, Physical Education and Visual Art.
With an emphasis on skills for the future, students are encouraged to develop competencies to solve problems, think creatively, take risks, collaborate and be digitally literate. The International Baccalaureate, Primary Years Program Units of Inquiry are the catalyst for conceptual thinking and learning. Creative learning blocks and our signature ‘Wondering Wednesday’ are underpinned by Design Thinking, STEM, Technologies, Sciences and Arts education.
Evidence-based Literacy and Numeracy programs are adapted according to the varying entry points and interests of learners. Personalised and continuous student assessment tracks student progress and informs next steps in personalised learning. Dedicated Junior School Library sessions foster an ongoing love of reading and literature.
Wellbeing, Engagement and Belonging (WEB)
Wellbeing underpins all learning and permeates every aspect of school and life. Each day in the Junior School beings with a focus on wellbeing, guided by the anchor of the classroom teacher. Helping students develop a mindset and the capabilities needed to flourish in an ever-changing world is central to the wellbeing program. Our wellbeing framework is thoughtfully and intentionally crafted providing challenging and rewarding opportunities for learning and growth. Topics covered are flexibly responsive to the needs of each cohort.
From ELC through to Year 5, the WEB program is sequentially designed. With a focus on the development of social and emotional skills, students are supported to become agents of their own lives, leading to a strong sense of empowerment both within and beyond the school gates. Psychologists and key experts across a range of related fields are engaged annually to work with teachers, parents, and students to ensure that the topics explored are grounded in evidence-based research.
Central to wellbeing is a strong sense of belonging and connection within the school community. Through the mentoring program, all classes have a buddy class with activities designed to foster cross-age connections and build on the nurturing and supportive nature of the friendships at Walford. Formal and informal mentoring encourages students to feel valued and positive about their interactions with others inspiring optimism and aspiration for the future.
Leading and Leadership
Our aim is for students to learn early on that they can influence change for the better by serving causes greater than their own. Underpinning the Walford Junior School approach to leadership is our School motto Virtute et Veritate – ‘Moral courage and truth’ – reminding us that leadership is about bravely standing up for that which we know to be ethically right and true.
Students are strongly encouraged to lead at Walford and there are a number of formal and informal opportunities for them to do so. Formal positions in the Junior School include Junior School Leaders, Sports Leader, Music Leader and Sustainability Leader, in addition to an active Student Representative Council, House Captains, IT Champions and the Peer Support Program. Students can also lead through classroom and year level student action groups, peer support, lead Musical roles, leadership mentoring, public speaking, hosting of assemblies and events, and leadership of school tours.
The Year 5 Exhibition is the culminating learning project for the Primary Years Programme. Each Year 5 student has a significant role in leading the whole school community through a comprehensive display of acquired knowledge, taking the opportunity to teach on their learning and inspire others to take action. This showcase of collaboration, service and action highlights the empowerment and agency that is central to our Junior School leadership program.
Beyond the Classroom
In addition to the many co-curricular opportunities available, the Walford Junior School encourages students to be active in a range of initiatives that encourage agency, challenge thinking, build connections and are fun. An annual Junior School Musical and Christmas Concert ensure a role for everyone on stage, whilst the In-Residence programs across curriculum areas inspire connected learning.
Knowledge and thinking is enriched through participation in a variety of competitions throughout the year. These include:
- RoboCup digital technologies competition
- IPSHA Poetry Competition
- ICAS and AMS Mathematics Competitions
- Young Writers Award
- ASPO Mathematics Games competition
- Oliphant Science Awards
- The Commissioner for Children and Young People’s Digital Challenge
- IPSHA Junior Orator of the Year competition
- The Premier’s Reading Challenge
- The Premier’s Be Active Challenge
Students have further opportunities to participate in enrichment and extension programs, some of which are led by Senior Secondary teachers including:
- MathsCraft
- Specialist Science – undertaken in Senior Laboratories
- Digital Technologies program
- Science Week
- Year 2 Strings Immersion Program
- Year 5 Band Immersion Program
The annual Junior School Swimming Carnival and Sports Day are highly anticipated events in the calendar. Year 5 students have the chance to compete for the Parks Medal in the annual Sports Day race as well as enjoy strong competition and novelty events across both sporting carnivals.
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