Rose & Waratah

Middle School Update

As the year draws to a close, we reflect on a remarkable year of growth, collegiality, collaboration and vibrant student engagement.

 

We have nurtured and built a community of staff, students and families, with a strong  sense of purpose and connection. Robust curricular and co-curricular programs, with student voice through-lines, have provided rich, engaging and inclusive learning experiences.

 

As we move toward 2025, we do so guided by the wisdom of our shared experiences, and inspired by the hopes and aspirations that shape and grow our Middle School community.

Transition

Term 4 in the Middle School has had a focus on transition, with a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation for 2025. The 2 December Moving on Day saw approximately 75 Year 6 students from Friends' joined by a similar number from other primary schools. They met their Key Teachers, new classmates and familiarised themselves with the Middle School Campus layout.

 

On this day, our current Year 7 students stepped into their new Year 8 classes, spending some time mentoring Year 6 students in a lantern making activity as part of their ‘Big Day In’. This included the writing of aspirational goals to be revisited at the Shine Your Light Festival on 6 February 2025. Meanwhile, Year 8 students crossed the overpass to Commercial Road, symbolic of the start of their journey in Senior School, where they met with their tutors and learned more about life and opportunities in the Senior School.

Student Voice Council & Service Committee

We’re pleased to share the latest updates from the Student Voice Council and Service Committee. Over the past term, we’ve had some fantastic accomplishments, thanks to the hard work and dedication of our members.

 

A major success was our collaboration between the Student Voice Council and Service Committee to support individuals experiencing homelessness. During National Homelessness Week, both groups visited the Safe Space at Hobart City Mission. After learning about the needs of the community, we returned and worked together to organise essential supplies for those using this space. The Middle School was able to donate over 600 items to the Mission, a fantastic effort across all the Houses!

 

One of the highlights of our efforts this term was our Bake Sale, which raised over $500! This money will go towards helping people at the Safe Space. We also had some fantastic entries in our Homeless Action Now film competition, won by Year 7 student Eva Cumunel, exploring the idea of the hopelessness of homelessness. 

 

In addition, students completed various service activities, both within the School and in the broader community. For example, some volunteered at Vinnies, while others helped out in the Primary School assisting younger students.

 

Thank you to everyone who contributed – your efforts are making a real difference!

Student Learning 

The opening of the Meredith Fibre and Art space has been met with great excitement and is enhancing our integrated learning opportunities, together with the constantly evolving ground floor Maker Space. The Middle School community agree that reducing campus crossings is beneficial, although continued contact with the Senior School is also considered to be a positive, providing students with a walk to ‘clear the cobwebs’, access to specialist areas, particularly The Revell Sports Centre and the Foods kitchen and to build familiarity with the campus as part of the transition to Year 9.

 

The use of the new space was launched with the Friday mornings Art Club.

Year 7 Connections

With the Launch of The Futures Quest, students had the opportunity to plan their own areas of focus and worked independently, with a partner, or in groups of three across the Year 7 classes. The launch began with a look back at history to explore past visions of the future, setting the stage for students to do the same. They presented their ideas in various formats, culminating in an open-classroom exhibition for Primary students on Friday 29 November. Their maturity, independence, and collaboration across the six teaching classrooms showcased their growth, commitment, and agency.

Year 7 Film Festival

Year 7 students are currently participating in the annual Friends’ School Film Festival. The focus is to Let Your Films Speak, which is an adaptation of the Quaker motto, ‘Let your lives speak'.  The 18 Film Festival groups are challenged to think broadly, laterally and creatively to interpret one or more of their chosen Quaker testimonies:

  • Simplicity
  • Peace
  • Integrity
  • Community
  • Equality
  • Earthcare

Year 8 Solar Boat Challenge

The Solar Boat Challenge invited students to work in teams of three to design, build, and refine a solar-powered boat that was both lightweight and fast. The boats were put to the test by racing them against others in the class, creating an exciting and competitive atmosphere.

 

Using the engineering design process, students were encouraged to embrace key skills and values throughout the challenge. Collaboration and communication were essential, as teams shared ideas, listened to one another, and worked together to bring their designs to life. 

Year 8 Geology in Action

Near the end of Term 4, Year 8 students undertook a full day excursion to Sandy Bay foreshore and the University of Tasmania led by UTAS Geology experts. Students learnt about mineral deposits and rock formations and had the opportunity to discuss with postgraduate students about their studies and future job prospects. The day extended and enriched the learning of Geology and Geography, which happened across the Science and Humanities learning areas.

Year 8 ‘Big Day Out’: Redbanks Mud Run

The Year 8 ‘Big Day Out’ was a brilliant culmination of the year for our students, in their most physical challenge yet - the Redbanks Mud Run. Students rose to the challenge of the multiple obstacles and put their resilience to the test in the muddy trenches. It was incredible to witness the comradery amongst students in their House groups, and with the catch cry of ‘no (wo)man left behind’ they demonstrated amazing teamwork, inclusion and a real sense of belonging to their House and their Year group. We only hope that everyone’s washing machines rose to the challenge as well! 

Pastoral Care and Student Wellbeing

In Term 4, we continued to encourage our Middle School students to be sensitive to the needs of others while promoting resilience, goal setting and transition readiness amongst our cohorts. Here’s an overview of the focus areas for each year group and some exciting new initiatives:

 

Year 8: Preparing for the Transition to Year 9

Our students in Year 8 have worked extensively on their vision boards, applying their understanding of goal setting and growth mindsets. They have been encouraged to set meaningful and challenging long-term goals, to develop a plan on how to achieve their ambitions and who might support them on their journey. They have also engaged in a reflection on their academic, social, and personal development in preparation for their upcoming journey into Year 9. To continue the conversation at home, families could engage their children by asking:

  • Which goals have you identified and explored in your Vision Board?
  • Have you found visualising your goals helpful?
  • How can we help you achieve your goals?

Year 7: Building Emotional Resilience

Based on student feedback and survey data, our students in Year 7 have focused on positive coping strategies in their Social Emotional Learning (SEL) sessions. We explored the impact of positive and negative self-talk on performance and wellbeing, and students practised recognising and reframing negative thoughts to promote self-confidence and an optimistic outlook for the future. These sessions have helped students build a strong foundation for emotional regulation and self-awareness. To further promote these topics, families might choose to share their own experiences with positive and negative self-talk and ask their children:

  • How can self-talk affect your sense of self and performance?
  • Have you been able to engage in more positive self-talk after learning about this at school?

Wellbeing Committee Initiatives

The Wellbeing Committee has worked hard to create opportunities for all students to engage in activities that promote mental health and connections. In collaboration with Nicole, our Librarian, and Liesa, our Deputy Head of Middle School - Pastoral Care, students chose a location in the Library to create a Wellbeing Corner, designed a layout and selected furniture items. This newly established space is designed to offer students a quiet area for self-regulation and forming meaningful peer connections. In addition, hands-on, calming activities like Stress Ball and Fidget Making have been offered during breaks, establishing the Library as a vital space for student wellbeing. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lindy Gannon - Head of Middle School (Years 7 & 8)