From the Leadership Team
Energy to Burn
It has been a long term!
So much happens in Term 1 and as we look forward to two weeks of school holidays, I thought it a good time to reflect on the dynamic experiences our Middle School students have had over the past 11 weeks.
Social awareness and teamwork are a big priority in Term 1. Our Year 7s have overcome their nerves and apprehensions, and challenged themselves to make new friends, establish new relationships with staff, and get to know their older Village peers. Their Orientation Day and the camp at Mylor are just two memorable experiences during which they created lasting memories and developed stronger personal and social skills. We are already seeing significant growth and are so proud of them.
The Year 8s have been immersed in some learning beyond the classroom. During their Geography Field Work along the Torrens River in the city they engaged in hands-on learning experiences which allowed them to apply theoretical knowledge and skills in a real-world context. Exploring new places and environments stimulated students' curiosity and encouraged them to ask questions, sparking further inquiry and exploration.
The Year 8 Health and Wellbeing program took the students in two educational directions.
The Cultural Awareness workshop, run by Kaurna man Jack Buckskin, was culturally enriching. It exposed our students to diverse perspectives, cultures, and traditions, fostering empathy and social awareness. Their curious questions were testament to their engagement and open-mindedness. They also showed their engagement and enthusiasm when they learnt a traditional Kaurna dance and applied traditional face paint.
Their day at West Beach Adventure Park promoted social interaction and teamwork among the students as they collaborated, problem-solved, and communicated with each other to manage the challenges of the big climb.
The Voyage is well under way for Year 9 students, who have already achieved their first two milestones. The special Voyage classroom culture is now embedded and the individual classes have established their own unique cultures of trust, honesty and support. They too have been out and about in the community. They visited the Adelaide Zoo for their Geography Field work on Biomes. As well as increasing their ecological awareness, they had the opportunity to step into stronger levels of personal responsibility and interdependence.
The energy of our students seems endless! They have also been busy participating in lunchtime clubs, immersing themselves in Village carnivals and activities, and signing up to represent Endeavour in SACSA sports competitions. And all of this on top of their studies. In the insightful words of one Year 8 student as we travelled back from a big day of climbing at Mega Adventure Park, ‘A day like this is like coffee for us.’
It’s just the teachers who need a rest for the next two weeks, then! Good luck parents!
Louisa Mulligan
Director of Middle Years