YEAR 8 CAMPUS NEWS

It is hard to believe but as you read this article, we are within the final half of the final term of 2020. It has been fantastic to see so many faces back at school and re-engaging with something that is close to normal from an educational perspective. While teachers may have been asking for a bit more quiet time in the classroom than normal, it cannot be denied that secondary schooling is as much a social experience and education as it is an academic one. The desire of all students to be with others and learn in a collaborative manner has been very evident and hopefully this year will serve as a prescient reminder of the need to be with others on our learning journey. All students should be commended for not only what they completed during remote learning but for also returning to school with only a few minor hiccups.

Students and families should have received information about the alternate camp program that is running in Week 7 of this term. Even though we cannot recreate all of the camp experiences that we were meant to have, we are in a very fortunate position where students will still get to be involved in a three-day program that very closely mirrors the typical day experience of camp. With rock climbing, canoeing, orienteering and bike riding to name but a few of the activities, I think it will be a good reward for both students and staff as we near the end of this different year. Due to current school operation guidelines we will not be able to have parent helpers during this program but I must thank all of those who were intending to provide support at the start of the year.

An inevitable part of approaching the end of the academic year is student fatigue which is usually accompanied by some dropping in standards and poor behaviour. Teachers and classes are working hard to maintain high expectations of ourselves as well as each other and make sure that we finish 2020 on the right note. From a student’s perspective this means being ‘Ready to Learn’, which includes having the appropriate materials including a water bottle for each lesson, wearing the uniform correctly, being on time to class and making sure that we are allowing everyone the best opportunity to be successful in their learning. End of year expectations do not change, and it is important that students do not allow their personal standards to slip.

Finally, myself and Mr Heath McClaer, Deputy Principal Students have visited all Year 8 classes this week to discuss the Peer Support opportunities available to them at the end of this year and with the Year 7 cohort of 2021. Our students benefited from this assistance when they moved to secondary school in 2019 and it is a great opportunity for them to repay the favour to the newest members of our college community. If parents have any questions about this program, please feel free to get in touch with myself.

Mr Marcus Parker

Head of Mercy Campus