Middle School Report

Message from the 

Director of  Learning - 

Mr Tom Tahos

We have completed our first term for the year, a massive well done to everyone.

We have a full packed term two coming up so please take the time to recharge your batteries these holidays. Look after yourselves and take care.

When we return continue with the following:

1. Keep yourselves healthy and safe in regard to staying active, eating well, having a good sleeping pattern and keeping hydrated.
2. Focusing on learning- that is bringing the correct equipment to class, getting involved in learning tasks and completing independent practice work (homework).
3. Attending school and getting to classes on time.
4. Wearing the correct school uniform.
5. Smiling and having fun 😊

Cyber-safety 

- Keeping safe online

It is important that all Year 9 and 10 students are aware of the great opportunities that offer the world wide web and the various interactive environments available. However, you have a responsibility to be aware of the risks associated with being online. 

We have a right to be and feel safe in any environment. This includes the cyber world.

We also have a responsibility to make others feel safe.

Remember these key messages/tips

• If anything happens that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe - take a screenshot and let your parent/guardian or teacher know.
• Everyone needs to be aware that any bullying and abuse over the internet can become a police matter.
• Do not share passwords, pics or other personal details like your location or phone numbers.
• Be kind!!!

‘Growth & Development’ Middle Years Work Experience Program

Year 10 Work Experience (Careers focus)

Year 10 students should be finalising their work placements.

The Work Experience form will need to be completed and handed to Miss Geraldine Borgonha ASAP.

Work experience will run during the last week of Term Two, Monday 20th June – Friday 24th June.

All students should have completed their General OHS module.

Year 9 Work Experience (Volunteering focus) 

Year 9 students will be involved in a week-long volunteering work experience program. The focus of this is volunteering to support the local community. Students will be placed into groups and they will be allocated to different community groups where they will volunteer their time.

SECL Youth Services and Westall Library Information Session

Middle School students were involved in two workshops at the Westall HUB.

One workshop included a tour and information about the library at the HUB and all the resources the library provides. The second workshop provided our students with information on various programs available with the South Eastern Community Youth Sector.

Our students have some amazing resources that are easily accessible which will support them with their learning.

Wellbeing 

- Respectful Relationships Workshops

Our Year 9 and 10 students were involved in the ‘Respectful Relationships’ workshops.

These workshops were conducted by our school nurse, Miss Formoso. Students were provided with valuable understanding and strategies on expecting and reciprocating the characteristics of a respectful relationship. 

Everyone in our community deserves to be respected, valued and treated equally. We know that changes in attitudes and behaviours can be achieved when positive attitudes, behaviours and equality are embedded in our education settings.

Respectful Relationships is about embedding a culture of respect and equality across our entire community, from our classrooms to staffrooms, sporting fields, fetes and social events. This approach leads to positive impacts on student’s academic outcomes, their mental health, classroom behaviour, and relationships between teachers and students.

Together, we can lead the way in saying yes to respect and equality, and creating genuine and lasting change so that every child has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. ​

Westall Way

- Middle School Rewards System

Congratulations to the following Year 9 and 10 students who are currently (as of 1/4/22) leading the Middle School rewards points program.

Morrisby Profile

All Year 9 students have had the opportunity to complete the online Morrisby profile task.

The results will be presented in a report called Morrisby Profile Report.

This report suggests a list of potential jobs for each student. These jobs match students abilities, interests and personality, based on their responses to the questions.

The aim of this task is to have a true and accurate profile so when students have their one-on-one unpacking session with a course counsellor, they will be able to be advised in relation to possible career pathways. 

Middle School Student Leadership Group

The middle school community would like to acknowledge and congratulate our 2022 Middle School student leaders. Each student performed amazingly in the selection process, and they demonstrated exemplary attributes and skills which resulted in their selection. These leaders are currently working on some major projects which will result in positive outcomes for all.

Mr Tom Tahos

Director of Learning:  Middle School

Year 9/10 Forensic Science

Students have been busy learning and using their scientific skills to observe hair, fibres and fingerprints. Finally, it’s the time to put into practice as the scenario of an external examiner has been poisoned in C1. With the help of our forensic science investigators, they collected and analysed the evidence. A big thank you to our suspects Ms Michelle Collins, Mr Sean Fraser, Ms Sian Moore, Ms Alice Paget and Ms Anna Papagiannopoulos, who provided statements and fingerprints. Who do you think committed the crime?

Ms Loan Luong-Nguyen 

Learning Specialist: Numeracy & STEM

& Ms Fatima Khan 

Pre-Service Teacher

Year 10 EAL Excursion to the Chinese Museum and the South Melbourne Market

On Wednesday 30 March, the Year 10 EAL students visited the Chinese museum in Chinatown. Students have explored aspects of Chinese culture and history in the text studied this term: ‘Ties that Bind, Ties that Break’. At the museum, we learnt about the Chinese people who migrated to Australia during the Gold Rush – the hardships they endured and the way in which their culture became integrated into Australian society. 

Students also participated in a very interesting tour of Chinatown, focusing on the architecture of the buildings and the history of many Chinese migrants who opened businesses in the area. 

To end the day, we went shopping and exploring at the South Melbourne Market where one can buy absolutely anything! Some of us bought beautiful flowers for our mothers and others focused more on the culinary side of things! It was an enjoyable day and we were supported to understand the ideas we read about in our text a bit better, and also to value the contribution of so many migrants to Australia.

Ms Conja Coetzee

EAL Coordinator 

Year 9 Global Literacy

In their study of Civics and Citizenship this term, our Year 9 students learnt about the features and principles of the Australian legal system. As part of this unit, students participated in a mock trial. The classroom was set up as a makeshift court room and our student participants enthusiastically donned costumes and wigs which helped them embody their roles. Individual were assigned roles such a judge, witness, the defendant or jury member.

After intense deliberation the jury delivered their verdict. Students were then required to reflect on their experience as part of their assessment. This interactive activity enabled students to apply and interpret the law themselves. Hopefully this inspired some of them to become future law makers! 

Ms Sian Moore

Humanities Coordinator