Middle School News

The year has started with much success. The first month of Middle School has seen students in Year 7 commence their secondary schooling with the majority of students adapting brilliantly to the change. There is still room for improvement in arriving to class on time, however, we understand it is a big school and some rooms are hard to find. Coordinators will continue supporting students throughout the term and all are welcome to come and visit the Middle School office in the Chisolm building. 

Years 8 and 9 have also made a positive beginning to the year, with much of the feedback from teachers is that students are engaged, happy and respectful. Room for improvement will come from uniform and arriving to class on time. However, we understand that the confusion that came with renaming the rooms has contributed to some lateness. Coordinators are going to be actively monitoring uniform throughout the year and those who breach uniform policy can expect to receive community service.

Now that we are a month into the term we will be expecting students have managed to find their feet well enough to get to class on time, especially after recess and lunchtimes. Students should also be bringing their water bottles to class to limit the need to ask to leave class to get a drink. Students are reminded that if they are out of uniform for any reason, they should bring a note to the Middle School Office and get a pass from Breanne Murphy.

Year 7 Social Evening- Monday February 12

Parents and guardians were invited to the 2024 Year 7 Social Evening and BBQ last Monday 12 February. It was held in the College Middle Courtyard. This night offered families a chance to come into the College, meet parents, teachers and enjoy a pleasant social evening. I was a little worried that the 34 degree heat would be too much for many, however, we had really good numbers of parents and students turn up to enjoy the evening. Thank you to all families who attended.

We thank the College Interact team (supported by Rotary) for preparing the BBQ on the night. Middle School Captains and Vice Captains who facilitated games/competitions in the Wellbeing Hub for students. Prizes were also be given out for winners of these activities. Huge thanks to the Middle School Student Leadership Team for their efforts throughout the evening.

Also, this evening event would not go ahead without the work by our transition coordinator Ms Leanne Kaufmann and the Year Level Coordinators Ms Jane Denton and Mr Grant Evans. Thank you to all other staff who attended.

All in all it was a successful evening with positive feedback from all those who attended.

Year 7 Camp YMCA Anglesea

Next week our Year 7 students take off for Anglesea YMCA Camp. Everyone who is attending are really excited and you can look forward to photos and updates on Compass throughout the camp.

Justin Bond

Head of Middle School

2024 NAPLAN Testing

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students will be held in March this  year.  NAPLAN tests will be delivered online between Wednesday 13 March and Monday 18 March.

NAPLAN tests assess student knowledge and skills in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation)  and numeracy. Over time, the NAPLAN tests provide parents, teachers and the school with a rich source of information on how students are progressing in literacy and numeracy as they advance through their schooling.  Individual student results will be provided to parents and students later in the year.

All students are expected to participate in the NAPLAN Online tests. Catch up tests will be available for individual students who are absent on test days up to  and  including  Monday 25 March 2024. Students are asked to make sure that they arrive punctually for each of the test sessions.  They are required to bring headphones for the Language Conventions test. Headphones are also optional for the Writing and Numeracy tests. 

The testing schedule is:

 *Specific test times for each year level will be published closer to NAPLAN testing period

Further information can be found in the attached brochure to parents.

Preparation: 

Students will be provided with the opportunity to undertake practice to ensure that they are comfortable with the tools on the online platform. Familiarisation will occur in the form of practice Writing, Reading, Language Conventions and Numeracy tests.

Students and families may also develop familiarisation with the online platform via this link: https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site

Jarrod Sturnieks

Acting Assistant Principal

Teaching and Learning

Student Lunches

Just a reminder to parents that we are unable to deliver lunches to students during school time.  If your student has forgotten their lunch, it can be dropped in to the General Office but it is the student’s responsibility to come and collect it. 

Hot food is not suitable to be left at the office.  PLEASE NOTE:- Take-away food is not allowed during school hours.

Under no circumstances are students to be ordering take-away food to be delivered to the College.

Student Compass ID/Library/PTV  Cards

Please remind all students that they must carry their Student Compass ID/Library/PTV  Cards with them at all times.

ALL students must sign in with their card at the Middle School Office when they are arriving late and sign out at the General Office when they are leaving early for any reason. 

The cards are also used for any student photocopying that is done at school. The EDSC Student Compass ID/Library card can be used as ID for student PTV (Public Transport Victoria) travel. They are required to carry this card as student identification while travelling on public transport.

If a student loses their card, parents/guardians are able to re-order a replacement card via the Compass parent portal.