Middle School Report

Welcome back to Term 3. This term will be a busy one for students in both Year 9 and Year 10 with a focus on careers and pathways for 2017. Year 9s have continued their work on their course counselling assignments and are preparing for the course counselling day on Tuesday 8th August. Year 9s will also be spending time in their Humanities classes this term preparing for the City Experience to take place at the beginning of Term 4.

We have welcomed a number of new students into Year 9 and Year 10 at the start of the term, and we hope they have managed to settle in and become part of the school community quickly.

Year 9 Events

Year 9 into 10 Course Counselling – Tuesday 8th August

Students have received an appointment time when they will meet with either their Year Level Coordinator or another member of staff. During this time, students will discuss their subject choices for 2018. There are no timetabled classes on this day, and students are only required to attend their appointment. We ask that they arrive at least 15 minutes before their scheduled time. Parents are invited to attend if they wish.

Year 9 Goals students will continue their work with their mentors over the term, building their understanding of setting short term and long term goals, as well as strategies for achieving them.

Year 10 Events

Year 10 students have just completed two weeks of work experience and returned to school on Monday 31st July. Teachers visited students at their work placements to interview them about their job roles. There have been some very positive reports from supervisors who have praised the commitment, enthusiasm and communication skills of many of the students. It was an excellent opportunity for the students to develop their work related skills, and many of them are now in the process of pursuing part time work. Students worked in a variety of settings including local primary schools, at hospitals in Sunshine, Footscray and the city, in local restaurants, and on building sites and warehouses.

A selection of Year 10 students attended a number of sessions run by The Smith Family at the start of Term 3 which focused on effective communication in the workplace and preparation for job interviews. Thanks to Mr Sean Ryan, Mr Simon Lynch and Mr Ian Crocker for attending these sessions with the students.

Year 10 into 11 Course Counselling took place on Thursday 3rd August, with Year 10s making decisions about their pathway and program of study for 2018. The students were engaged in the conversations and had clearly spent time thinking about their future careers and how to pursue them. A big thank you to the MIPS team for organising the day and all the support provided to the students.

Ms Shona Cowell has now started her family leave, and on behalf of the Middle School team and all of the students that she works with, I would like to thank her for all she has done for us and wish her all the best as her family grows.

Mr Brendan McFarland has taken on the role of Assistant Sub School Leader, and we have welcomed Ms Cheree Dobra into the Middle School as Year Level Coordinator. Congratulations and thanks to you both for your commitment to the team.

We wish all Year 9 and 10 students a successful term, and look forward to continuing our work with you all.