From the Head of Campus

Year 9 experience

Next Monday, 28 students accompanied by Anthony, Emily and myself are heading off to the East Kimberley for the Year 9 Experience. The impact a camp experience can have on a young adolescent is monumental. Skills like social interaction, self-confidence, a love and respect for nature and healthy living choices can all be learned and cemented.

As a staff member, heading out on camp is a highlight for me – it is the chance to interact with our students in an environment outside of the classroom. It provides the opportunity to build relationships on a foundation of shared experiences and trust.

One of the goals for our students heading off is to give them the opportunity to really explore what it means to be resilient to daily life stresses and help develop other positive traits that will transfer back into their learning at Preshil.

1. Try new things – The Year 9 Experience challenges our students to step out of their comfort zone and exposes them to new activities and experiences that they may not be familiar with. Over the period of ten days, our students will have the opportunity to try out different things and discover new passions. Part of our Experience this year is Service Learning in Kununurra, including work with Save the Children. 
2. Unplug from technology - When we provide students the space to take a break from Netflix, mobile phones and the internet, they rediscover their creative powers and engage the real world - real people, real activities and real emotions. Earlier this term when we compiled our Essential Agreements for this camp, students opted for ‘limited phone use’ as a group agreement. For part of our Experience this year, we will be without phone coverage.
3. Grow more independent – The Year 9 Experience is the perfect place for students to practise making decisions for themselves without parents and teachers guiding every move. Managing their daily choices in a safe and caring environment, students welcome this as a freedom to blossom in new directions.
4. Reconnect with nature – The Experience is a wonderful antidote to "nature deficit disorder”, to the narrow experience of modern indoor life. This outdoor experience enriches a young person’s perception of the world and also provides the opportunity to gain a much deeper understanding of indigenous culture.
5. Build character - On top of making new friendships, the Experience also develops an appreciation for the qualities required to cultivate and strengthen these relationships. During the 10 days we are away, there will be plenty of opportunity for our students to delve into the core values of being a strong, moral individual by working together on topics of ethics, honesty, caring, respect and responsibility.

Semester reports

This term, students will receive a mid-year semester report. When writing these, staff work collaboratively to ensure that assessment is student-focused, thoughtful and carefully considered. In collating feedback on your child, we endeavour to make sure that comments reflect a balance of observation, one-on-one conversations, summative and formative assessments and self reflections. Assessment is supported by secure and nurturing relationships; a feature of a Preshil education.

Our second assessment for the year is feedback on your child’s progress in their approach to learning and in their subject classes.

Semester reports will be available to parents via Compass on Thursday 20 June.

Jen Buchanan

Acting Head of Campus (Secondary School)

jen.buchanan@preshil.vic.edu.au