Year 7 and 8 Learning Community

Greetings from the Middle School!

As 2015 comes to an end I would like the time to reflect over what has been a busy, but most productive year. Our Year 7 students started 2015 full of excitement, but still a little anxious as most students are when entering the unknown world of secondary education. But it didn’t take long to settle in and, under the guidance of their caring Home Group teachers, they were able to feel relaxed, connected and happy in their new environment.

The Year 8s started this year, no longer as the youngest members of the secondary hierarchy, but as the experienced students of this young cohort. It has been so pleasing to observe how much these students had matured and grown over the last year and re-entered the school with energy, interest and enthusiasm for another challenging year.

As in the past, the Year 7 and 8 Steiner classes have had wonderful subject matter to focus on this year. The learning has been engaging and Main lessons have been really encompassing. They have presented beautiful work through Main Lessons and Art and Music are still a priority in this area. Plays have been written, practised and presented with pride and precision, as well as enthusiasm and fun. Team work and co-operative learning has been evident and it has been wonderful to see how much students have valued their learning opportunities.

The Year 7 and 8 Mainstream classes have also had a wonderful year with a varied, challenging and exciting curriculum presented to them. The students have applied themselves in a most commendable manner and their positive commentary and enjoyment of the work is constantly being voiced. Completed learning tasks adorn their classroom walls and students have a sense of pride as they look at what they have achieved over the year.

Both 8A and 8C certainly enjoyed completing and presenting their major Year 8 projects. Parents, other students, teachers and younger year levels really enjoyed the Year 8 efforts. Both presentation nights really were well supported and of a great standard. The efforts of the students were showcased and really valued by the appreciative audiences. The year will end with these same students facing a panel of senior teachers before entering Year 9 and showcasing a number of their best pieces of Year 8 work. This is indeed a celebration of their efforts during the year and also a lovely way to introduce themselves to the teachers from the next level of their schooling progression.

All levels enjoyed great camps this year. Energetic and conscientious teachers gave up their time and put in an extraordinary effort to ensure that students benefit from these practical, educational opportunities. I must at this point commend the two Year 7 Steiner teachers, Campbell and Melanie, for their back to back bike riding camps over a two week period. Apart from missing their families, this really was a remarkable effort from a fitness point of view. I applaud their stamina and total commitment to their classes for delivering (and surviving) this gruelling, yet successful activity.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Home Group teachers who have worked so willingly and well with their classes this year. Ken, Charlotte, Mel, Steph and Campbell. You have been wonderful mentors and carers of your classes and totally appreciated by all. I would also like to thank all the other teachers that have spent time and effort or teaching these younger year levels. Your interest and constant care and concern for the welfare and learning of these young students has been wonderful.  You have been an absolute pleasure to work with. I encourage the students to continue to apply themselves and strive to do the best they can in their future studies.

Liria Stratus, Year 7 and 8 Manager.