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Middle School

Year 7 Winter Skills

Next week Year 7 classes will spend the day on kunanyi / Mt Wellington for an introduction to alpine winter walking and snow survival skills. Drop-off and pick-up is at Bell Street Grounds (entrance on Queens Walk, near Bay Road). Students need to arrive by 8.30am and be collected by 3.30pm.

 

  • Wednesday 5 August: Fry and Penn
  • Thursday 6 August: Mott and Walker
  • Friday 7 August: Backhouse and Oats

 

Please refer to the information on the Paperly form when approving. Students need to have suitable clothing, footwear and food for this day.  Any personal medications need to be advised to Outdoor Education staff on arrival.

Year 8 - Middle School Quest in Term 3

This semester, Year 8 students will complete their final Middle School Quest; The Year 8 Independent Project. Students will choose a new skill that they would like to develop over 15 weeks. This needs to be a genuine challenge, and will culminate in a presentation of their work on Thursday 19 November to invited guests (including parents).

 

This is a task that will be completed outside of school hours, and each student will need to ensure that they have both parent and teacher permission before they proceed with their project. Students can seek advice from a variety of sources; a mentor, co-curricular activity, online tutorial, course (any of these MUST be approved by parents).

 

Students will need to keep a record of their progress through the development of a portfolio (format to be decided by the student). The portfolio will include weekly journal entries, and may include photos, drawings, diagrams, videos, copies of correspondence or anything that can be used as evidence of learning. At the conclusion of the Independent Project, students will reflect on their experience through a written or verbal response.

 

Throughout this project there will be an emphasis on student agency, and students will be assessed on their: 

  • Willingness to act with autonomy. 
  • Receptiveness to step out of their 'comfort zone' and navigate new (and sometimes unexpected) challenges.
  • Readiness to generate (and accept) feedback, and reflect on progress.
  • Communication (both verbal and written).

 

In addition to this, students will also be assessed on the development of their new skill.

 

Supporting students to develop agency is motivating for students, allows them to take responsibility for their learning, and fosters independent thinking, flexibility, creativity, problem solving, and time management skills.

 

Students have been developing their understanding of student agency in Connections through discussion, creative tasks, and role plays using real world examples.

 

Timeline of Year 8 Independent Project:

  • Thursday 30 July - Independent Project introduction and planning.
  • Thursday 27 August - Key Teacher Check In.
  • Thursday 29 October - Key Teacher Check In (including a recorded interview with Key Teacher on progress).
  • Thursday 19 November - Independent Project Presentation.

 

If you have any questions, please e-mail your child's key teacher or Kylie Mckinnon.

The Friends’ School Welcomes University of West Texas Musicians - 30 July

We are thrilled to be hosting the music faculty and students of the University of West Texas here at The Friends' School this week as part of a music residency. We invite friends and family of The Friends’ School community to join us for a free concert this Thursday 30 July from 6 pm in the Farrall Centre, where our Development and Intermediate Bands, and Senior Wind Ensemble will share the stage in a 90 minute concert with our visiting artists.

Absentees

If your child will be absent from school for the day please advise the Middle School Office (phone: 6210 2235, or email: middleschooloffice@friends.tas.edu.au). We appreciate your support in this process.

Important Dates in Middle School

Wednesday 5 August - Year 9 2027 Subject Evening

Wednesday 5 August - Fry and Penn Winter Skills (Bell Street)

Thursday 6 August - Mott and Walker Winter Skills (Bell Street)

Friday 7 August - Backhouse and Oats Winter Skills (Bell Street)

Tuesday 18 August - Learning Conferences (3.50pm to 6.30pm)

Wednesday 26 August - Learning Conferences (3.50pm to 6.30pm)

Friday 11 September - Wellbeing Day (No classes K-12)

Friday 2 October - Last Day of Term 3