Middle School News - Year 7 to 9
Middle School News
Another period of online learning is behind us and as we move into the next phase of online learning with even tougher restrictions in place for families, mental health and wellbeing is at the forefront of everyone’s mind, for students their families and staff alike.
The Year 7 class captains have been busy putting together some tips for their peers and I think it’s a good idea to share it with the rest of the college community. It’s nice to know that we have such strong leadership within a group of students who have only just begun their secondary educational journey, in the most challenging of circumstances.
Refer to the attached 'Class Captains Tips & Tricks' .....
Year 7 students are also competing in optional weekly challenges set by coordinators. The first one was to be able to say the alphabet quicker than myself. I look forward to hearing the outcome.
In Year 8 the Class Captains have been working together, alongside a teacher to prepare a fun activity to boost their class spirits. There were a number of different ideas and activities such as:
- Meme competitions
- Baby Photo competitions
- Class Kahoots
Thank you to all those involved so far and look forward to hearing what the rest of the class ideas/activities to come.
Year 9 students have been focussed on their course counselling and as we move further into the rest of this term Year 9 leaders will be called upon to provide some much needed fun and distraction from the current situation. In the meantime the Y9 Coordination Team has this message for their cohort:
With everything going on and the updated restrictions in Melbourne, we just wanted to say hello and check in!
We are proud of the way you have been approaching these challenges with resilience and adaptability, and it has been great to hear positive feedback about your interactions and efforts in Remote Learning from your teachers.
Over the next few weeks, make sure you continue to:
- Keep up with school work - If you start feeling confused or overwhelmed with work, contact your teachers or coordinators to ask for help
- Maintain positive habits – Exercise daily, have screen-free time, eat healthily, maintain good sleep habits
- Be kind – Treat everyone with extra kindness, patience and empathy
- Find someone to talk to – A family member, friend, EDSC coordinators or Wellbeing, or an online service https://headspace.org.au/covid-19/ https://kidshelpline.com.au/teens
Check in with each other– Get in contact with your friends (good for you and good for them!)
Justin Bond
Head of Middle School
Student Report - The Age 100-word letter call out on remote learning
This year has been a rollercoaster!
Starting remote learning again felt like going back to our new normal. This time around seems easier. I am happy and performing more efficiently at home, though I miss seeing my friends and conducting science experiments.
These are tough times but it’s an opportunity to grow. I would like to share a thought of mine that relates to these times:
“A diamond is made after years of compression in coal,
A rainbow only appears after a storm,
A human too becomes its best after times of hardships”
by Haim Kaur, Year 8
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/out with their card at the General Office when they are arriving late or leaving early for any reason. A reminder that Year 12 students are required to sign in/out at The John Landy Centre Compass Kiosk.
The cards are also used for any student photocopying that is done at school. The EDSC Student Compass ID/Library/PTV is also the student PTV (Public Transport Victoria) cards. They are required to carry this card as student identification while travelling on public transport.
Students who are yet to collect their 2020 card are asked to please go to the Library. If a student loses their card, parents/guardians are able to re-order a replacement card via the Compass parent portal.
