Middle School - Year 7 to 9
Year 7 Camp
This week Year 7 students had their first of many camp opportunities offered at Doncaster Secondary College.
The program at Camp Weekaway had students develop positive relationships within themselves, peers, the environment and adventure.
The school's values of responsibility, respect, teamwork and resilience were strong focuses in the activities offered including zip-lining, laser tag, canoeing, raft-making, hut building, mountain bike riding, team building missions and maze challenges.
Highlights of the camp were after-dinner games, night walks and eating marshmallows by the open fire.
Teachers and students developed respectful relationships and it's been a pleasure seeing students back at school feeling comfortable approaching and greeting their teachers and familiar faces from camp.
I, personally, hope that this camp has made each student feel as though they are a valued member of our school community.
Vanessa Lattanzio
Italian and Humanities Teacher
First Nations Program
In our previous edition of the College newsletter, we reported on the special program held in December for our Year 7 and 8 students, that gave them the opportunity to expand their understanding of Indigenous issues in Australia.
Here are some wonderful photos of the event including the Smoking Ceremony.
The day gave our Year 8 students the chance to connect with members of our Indigenous community while learning about issues associated with Australia Day and the environment.
Kristin Skennar
Literacy Leader
English and Literature Teacher
Year 7 Social BBQ
The Year 7 Social BBQ was held on Tuesday, 11 February. It was wonderful to meet so many of our DSC families and celebrate the transition of our newest members into the College.
Our Year 7 students were able to introduce their parents and guardians to their teachers, while parents had an opportunity to meet each other and form networks within the school community. Thank you to our parent reps who were key facilitators for this networking.
The Year 9 Peer buddies were incredible on the night as they helped run the BBQ , cooking over 600 sausages!
Key points discussed during the formal presentation centred around acknowledging the enormity of the transition from Grade 6 to Year 7, celebrating the many positive stories and encouraging parents and students to speak-up and ‘activate’ resources at the school. These resources include the Discovery teacher, wellbeing team, inclusion team and the coordinator in order to support their child if needed.
I’d like to thank all staff who supported the planning, organisation and running of the night as well as our Year 9 helpers and Year 7 families who came along for a sausage and a chat. It was a great to start 2020 with such a positive evening.
Anna Ditchburn
Year 7 Co-ordinator
Year 7 Geography learn BOLTSS
Reflection by Ella P (7K)
In my first week of Year 7, my class did a great activity in geography that involved mapping and using a compass. I found this lesson interesting because not only did we learn how to use a compass in the classroom, but we also went out into the yard and was shown how a compass works.
I was given the opportunity to help arrange my classmates into their correct locations on the 'human' compass. We all learnt a lot from this activity and had a great time.
This is what some of my peers thought about the lesson:
"I really enjoyed this activity and learnt a lot about the bearings on a compass."
- Ashlynn W
"I really enjoyed making a human compass with my classmates."
- Bailey R
"I learnt that there are 16 points on a compass."
- Ashlee A
I'm really looking forward to learning more about geography!
- Ella P
Caterina Gucciardo – Teacher