Middle School

THE YEAR IN SUMMARY - MIDDLE SCHOOL

Dear community,

Many exciting things have happened in Middle School this year! Although I could mention many things, I would like to reflect on two significant initiatives.

Firstly, our team has focused on creating a positive culture in the Middle School. Our culture is summed up in the following three ideas:

Faithfully Honouring Commitments (1 Corinthians 12:27)

Devoted to Growth (1 Timothy 14-15)

Servant Heart (1 Peter 4:8-11)

As we model, teach and encourage these values in our community, I believe it will greatly assist our students in reaching their God-given potential.

In regards to Learning and Teaching in 2018, our team focused on measuring the use of specific high-leverage teaching strategies (derived from evidence-based research). This year’s focus areas were:

1. Feedback – My teacher regularly gives me feedback on my work.
2. Credibility – My teacher is well-prepared for lessons and has a positive impact on my learning.
3. Relationships – My teacher knows me and makes me feel welcomed in class.

Students have had the opportunity to provide feedback to their homeroom teachers at the end of each term via online surveys against these three areas. This has given the staff team regular opportunities to gain valuable insights for evaluating and improving their own teaching practice.

As we have implemented this program, it has been wonderful to hear some of the encouraging stories from our Middle Schoolers about their teachers. Here are some of them:

“My teacher knew my name from the beginning and makes such an effort to make us feel welcomed. Good job!”

“My teacher always greets me with a smile and learnt my name almost immediately. Maths has always been fun to attend, even if it is not always my favourite subject.”

“It’s hard to have to check over twenty students to give personal feedback but my teacher does this really well. Not only does he understand where we are, he’s also able to explain it perfectly. It’s awesome.”

“My teacher encourages me to improve my work by telling me how I could change things or do things better next time.”

I would like to thank the Middle School management team and teaching staff for their hard work, dedication and care for the students. I would like to also thank our wonderful students for all their efforts this year.

Have a blessed Christmas break!

Daniel Lee

Head of Middle School

THE NEXT CROP OF TALENTED WHISTLE BLOWERS

12 students and staff completed their Level 4 referees course recently conducted by Football Federation Victoria. The students from Years 7-10  learnt the laws of the game and then went out to practice their whistle blowing and showing of red and yellow cards at Knox City FC.

ST ANDREWS CHESS DUO DEFY THE ODDS

The Victorian Junior Primary Chess Finals at St Bridget’s featured two of our St Andrews boys - Paul Bernau and Zachary Lim. 

Both boys performed wonderfully and did St Andrews proud.

The event started with 2 new rules. 1 – that the first illegal move would get you a warning and the second would forfeit you the game. 2 – that the players do not give the warning of ‘check’. This took the boys by surprise and did take some getting used to. Out of 7 nerve-wrecking, gruelling games, Paul had 3 wins and Zachary 5 (aggregate score of 8 for the school). Results published on Chess Victoria website: http://www.chessvictoria.org.au/2018-junior-primary-final  

St Andrews was placed 7th amongst 37 schools. The rankings and trophies were based on the aggregate of the top 5 players of each school represented at the finals (irrespective of the number of kids who actually qualified and are sent to the finals). The top 6 schools had between 5 and 11 kids represented at the finals. That means that if a school who had 5 kids in attendance winning half the games Paul and Zachary won, they would still have beaten us in rankings. St Andrews was placed 7th with 2 kids and that is a remarkable result in itself. Despite the odds stacked against them, Paul and Zachary were committed and persevered to the end.

What was most admirable and heartwarming was their love and support for one another. After each of their games had finished, they would stand behind their schoolmate in quiet unwavering support. When Zachary lost his first game and was noticeably disappointed; Paul stuck out his hand mid-game to shake his in support. When Paul was on the ground in disappointment after losing a game, Zachary got down next to him to speak and encourage him. It is not the number of wins that define us but moments like this. These boys showcased a level of sportsmanship and maturity as they stood together in solidarity and Christian brotherhood. Their indomitable spirit is to be commended.

Both boys were given special Principal’s Awards for displaying outstanding sportsmanship,  perseverance; and, encouragement to each other.

It is yet another affirmation of the Christian values and teachings at St Andrews. Congratulations to all involved!

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT MUD COULD BE SO MUCH FUN!

Year 5 went to ‘The Summit’ where they had an amazing experience with MUD.  Firstly the instructor told us to crawl through the mud under the barbed wire. It felt slimy and squelchy and in the final mud pool it seemed like quick sand sucking us down. Every time we took a step , it felt like we were wading through wet cement. Even though it was no where near attractive, we still had lots of fun!  

Julian Hui

FUTURE FOCUS END OF YEAR PROGRAM

Monday 26 November saw the launch of our inaugural Future Focus end of year program for Year 7 and 8. Future Focus has been running parallel to the Head Start program in Senior School, and it was born out of a desire to present our senior students in Middle School with a program that will enrich and equip them in the areas of resilience, STEM, career choices, subject choices and physical prowess, to name a few, while at the same time encouraging them to faithfully honour commitments, be devoted to growth, and have a servant heart.

During the twelve days of Future Focus, every morning has been started off as normal with homeroom, after which students had a double period of Maths. This was followed by two 100 minute sessions made up of incursions, excursions, speakers, or a session presented by one of our own staff. Sedentary sessions have been alternated with more active, hands-on sessions whenever possible. Some sessions have been presented as electives, while others involved the group as a whole.

Students have been able to enjoy sessions at Jump Deck and Tunzafun, as well as robotics, cartooning, bridge building, dance, acapella singing, science, fitness circuits, soccer, ultimate Frisbee and MasterChef classes. We also catered for the spiritual side with sessions called “The epic story of the Bible”, “Do you remember that song” and “Made in God’s image”. Many parents will be warned not to use the same password for all their internet usage, after the cyber safety presentation.

In summary, our Year 7 and 8 students have learnt much and have enjoyed the opportunities to be stimulated and to grow. All students have to be congratulated on the excellent spirit in which they have taken on new challenges. What an amazing cohort!

Christa Cloete

Year 7/8 Coordinator

FUTURE FOCUS - THE EPIC STORY OF THE BIBLE

FUTURE FOCUS - MASTERCHEF: GRAZING TABLE

FUTURE FOCUS - HOUSE DODGE BALL 

FUTURE FOCUS - CAPTURING THE FLAG

FUTURE FOCUS - TUNZAFUN

FUTURE FOCUS - DANCE

On December 7th the Future Focus Dance Elective saw 17 budding dancers pirouette and glissé and chasse, as they learnt the moves to a jazz ballet number, choreographed to the throbbing, fast beat of a popular song.

The students were amazing as they gradually moved from basic steps to complex twists and turns and floor rolls, that eventually wove into a beautifully choreographed full dance item. They demonstrated balance, grace and great coordination as they practised tirelessly to master the item.

The final outcome was a highly entertaining and outstanding dance performance, considering the short amount time in which the girls, prepped, practised and perfected their moves- Well Done Dancers!

Rajes Krishnan

Year 8 Homeroom Teacher