Middle School 

From the Acting Head of Middle School

It has been an absolute pleasure being in this role over the past five weeks. Being in the corridor as students arrive each morning, greeting them with a positive affirmation to start their day. I have learnt new names and have a pretty good understanding of who likes to order what for lunch. I have watched students step up to assist me with things and for this I am very grateful. I am also incredibly grateful to the staff who call themselves Middle School teachers. Their enthusiasm for each learning day, and their care for the students is just outstanding. To the Year Coordinators who go above and beyond to ensure that each student feels appreciated and acknowledged. And to Miss Claire St Jack in Student Services, without whom I would have been lost at reporting time. It has honestly been a wonderful time and I will miss looking out my office window at the fun and competitiveness of table tennis games, the chaos that is the lunch time rush, and the fun that is speaking to students when they can hear me but can’t see my face. So to all of the Middle School, thank you. 

My last week has also been one of events for the Middle School. We rounded out our Clubs program for VACS last week with the students making the most of the final week of activities. The fishing group was finally successful at catching a decent haul, and the dance troupe celebrated with a session of Just Dance. The macramé and craft groups have learnt a wealth of handy things, some of which I hope they might think to gift to those they love. And the others all enjoyed their time on and off campus, making the most of the comradery.

This week we also compiled our donations for Foodbank Albany. We received hundreds of items of non-perishable food, an outstanding feat that will go to assist those in need within the Albany community. I thank all those who donated. Our Middle School leaders, accompanied by Mr Scott delivered these on Wednesday, along with food prepared by the Senior School 'Hunger Heroes' service group. 

Tuesday was Art Focus Day for the Year Eights. I would like begin by thanking Ms Rachel Mordy for organising the event, and all those involved, especially the visiting artists who left our students with a myriad of new skills and an appreciation for the arts. I was lucky enough to be witness students involved in fine arts, ceramics and clay. They were all highly engaged and produced works of art that they should be incredibly proud of. I also heard that those involved in Drama Improvisation and Acrobatics had a wonderful time being so adventurous. 

I wish the Middle School community a restful break and hope that you can spend time with your loved ones. Be it travelling up north to escape the cold or hunkering down here in Albany and enjoying the Maritime Festival, I hope that it is a wonderful time. 

Happy holidays. 

Ms Angelina Ross | Acting Head of Middle School

Australian Interschool Equestrian Championships

Year Seven student, Amelia McDonald, has been selected to complete in the Australian Interschool Equestrian Championships in Sydney in September.  Amelia and her pony Chanel competed at the WA Interschool Championships in April and was selected to represent WA in Preliminary Dressage and 60cm Combined Training.  

Congratulations Amelia and Chanel!

Year Nine Diorama

In English, the Year Nine C class is currently making a diorama of Chapter One from "Lord of the Flies".

Ms Kate Valleri | Teacher