Middle Years
YEAR 8 FAMILY EVENING
There will be a family evening held on Thursday 16th June for our Year 8 students. The theme of the evening is Online Safety, as we know that social media plays such an important role in the lives of our students. Despite playing such an important role in their lives, however, not many students necessarily understand the impact that digital communication and an online identity can have.
To this end, we have organised an evening for our Year 8s and their family to come and listen to
Brett Lee, a specialist in the field of undercover internet investigations. He will provide strategies of protection and prevention which will empower you to reduce online risks within your own home, and help facilitate discussion around cyber safety with you and your children. The information will be delivered in a way that will bring to life possible online dangers and responsibilities which are a part of your child’s digital world. Notices for this event will be distributed this coming Monday and we hope to see many of you there.
YEAR 8 PERSONAL BEST
On Wednesday 25th June, the Year 8 Personal Best program was launched to students. This launch in the Theatre was followed by some lunch and then a chance to follow up in their mentor class, with time to brainstorm and talk about the ideas they’d been presented with.
Mrs Dina Mingos, our Leader of Catalyst Learning Programs for Middle Years started the proceedings by explaining how the Personal Best program works. In particular, she talked about the importance of students selecting a coach, mentor and facilitator to assist them with the process. Students were then introduced to the idea of setting themselves a ‘big, hairy, audacious goal’ by Ms Catherine Ford, one of the College’s Assistant Principals. Ms Ford has been speaking to students for the last few years about Personal Best as she regularly undertakes her own ‘Personal Best’ project alongside the Year 8s. Students then had the opportunity to listen to various Year 9 students present on how they tackled their Personal Best projects last year.
The scope of what students are able to produce is only limited by their imagination, but of course technicalities such as costing must be taken into account. This was discussed with students and they are aware that they need to be able to present this to their families, as they will be the ones assisting with this side of the project. Many students attended on Wednesday without a clear idea of what they could do, however, what they saw was that student products could essentially be anything. Some examples of what they saw ranged from building things such as: a punching bag, arcade game and fold out desk; to more artistic challenges such as: writing a novel and painting artwork; to physical challenges such as running a half marathon.
We look forward to seeing the Year 8 students present their projects 12 weeks from now, and hope that families enjoy seeing their students grow and develop new skills over this time as they set out to achieve their Personal Best!
GOLD LEVEL STATUS
Just a reminder to students that the cut off for Gold Level at Years 8 and 9 has arrived. Year Level Leaders have been reading through applications and contacting students who they feel have achieved Gold Level Status for this semester, so congratulations to all of those students for your consistent hard work! For students who did not achieve Gold Level, please take on board the advice given to you by your Year Level Leaders and make sure you try again in Semester 2. It’s fantastic that so many students put themselves out there and self-nominated in the first place; we know that it can be scary!
Personal Best photos from 2015
SNAP SHOT – WHO ARE THE YEAR LEVEL LEADERS?
The Middle Years Team has some new faces, and some returning faces, this year and we’d love for you to get to know them a little better. The spotlight this issue is on….
Mr Darren Hoogkamer
Year Level Leader for – Year 7
Year Level Team – working with Mrs Courtney Fraraccio
How long have you been working at Wantirna College?
6 years.
What are the classes you teach this year?
Year 7 PE, Year 9 Court Team Sports, Year 10 Sport Science, Year 12 PE.
What subject areas do you teach in?
Health and Physical Education.
What is one piece of advice you would give to your year level?
Enjoy your time at the school and involve yourself in everything the school has to offer, including sport, music and production.
Where can students usually find you around the school?
In the Middle Years Office or in the ECA Centre.
Do you have any pets?
Yes, a kelpie named Bailey.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Playing and watching sport, in particular basketball and AFL, as well as catching up with friends and family.