Middle School update
Year 7- Gallery Walk
For the start of their secondary school journey all Year students completed a mini unit of work which culminated in a Gallery Walk.
In Home Group, students explored their top three character strengths by completing the VIA Character Strengths survey and a homework task : 9 Photos About Me. In each subject they completed a task focusing on character strengths. At the end of the second week of school students presented their work and participated in a Gallery Walk.
The purpose of this was to help students build connections and foster a sense of belonging by exploring who they are and them sharing with the school community including the principal class and other leaders. Students linked their learning with their character strengths and identified ways to enhance them.
Gallery walks get students up and out of their chairs and actively engaging with the content and each other. In gallery walks, students might display their computer or tablet screen, a group-made poster, a paragraph they’ve written, or a collage they’ve designed. Classmates peruse each other’s work, perhaps providing feedback or praising each other, or both. Gallery walks make learning social, student-centred, and engaging.
The quality of the work on display was wonderful. In their reflections many students commented on how hard everyone had tried and what good results had come from the effort put in. Students were not only excited to share their work but to give and receive peer feedback.
Each Assistant Principal will award a winning entries and sub schools will celebrate by presenting awards at an assembly.
Student reflections:
“Across all my subjects I found Humanities the most enjoyable because Mr price is nice and I loved doing to personal object task. I also liked colouring and explaining why I love to write…. I’m most excited to share my hard work with my teachers and peers, also I want them to see how I love colours and presentations…I used creativity, perseverance and love of learning to complete the activities. I have learnt that my peers are extremely talented, creative and unique, each and everyone of them. I really enjoyed reading and looking at everyone’s work that they have been creating over the past 2 weeks. Even though I can’t remember everyone’s name and class. I do recognise their hard work and time that they out into this work. I hope one day I’ll know everyone in my cohort/year and remember their names and looks. For now, I will continue learning my class’s names and appearance for future encounters. I hope everyone else appreciated everyone’s work and talents.”
M71
“I liked the flow chart from Digi Tech because they were interesting to me. I was excited to chare my personal object poster because I think it looked neat and pretty. I used perseverance and curiosity to complete the activities. I noticed kindness, humour and love for learning in other students’ work. Some posters were very well made and detailed. I learnt that different people have different personalities and their work come in all different opinions and viewpoints.”
K72
“I found the activities for Maths, Science, English and Humanities enjoyable. My favourites things to do was the 9 photos about me and my favourite object with Mr Cox. I used creativity and enthusiasm to complete the tasks.”
A73
“I enjoyed the Maths activity the most because the teacher is the best and she helps me and cares a lot about the students. I tried my hardest and was confident competing the activities. I noticed my peers being kind and trying. A piece of feedback I gave said that it looked good because it looked like she had tried her hardest. I learnt that we all show kindness and we’re always her for each and improving everyday.”
B71
Seeking Parent/Carer feedback:
We are reviewing Years 7 to 10 reporting and seeking parent/carer feedback. If you would like to be part of a focus group please email seema.maharaj@education.vic.edu.au
We are also reviewing the Years 8 and 9 program and seeking parent/carer feedback. If you would like to be part of a focus group please email seema.maharaj@education.vic.edu.au