Middle School

A New Middle School Experience: Prospective Student Connection 

Article by Halide La Rocca, Deputy Head of Middle School

For those families who have made the transition to Overnewton via the Middle School in recent years, you are likely familiar with the online New Student Interview. Sitting with a nervous child, hoping the link will work and meeting just one member of the Middle School Leadership Team. 

Over the last two weeks, we have been trialling a new interview process for prospective students for our Year 7, 2028 intake. This included some current Overnewton families who are looking at enrolling a sibling; as well as families who are looking to join the College for the first time. 

What does the new process look like? 

For prospective students: 

Students participate in a range of activities alongside other prospective students in a relaxed and welcoming environment. This allows them to explore the Middle School, interact with peers, and experience firsthand the learning culture and community they may soon become part of. At the same time, College staff have the opportunity to engage with students in a natural setting, observing how they communicate, collaborate, and approach new experiences. This often provides a far richer understanding of a student than can be gained through a formal interview.  

For prospective families: 

Families are invited to attend a morning or afternoon tea during this time. This experience offers the opportunity to meet key College staff, learn more about the Middle School, ask questions, and connect with other families considering the same transition. We believe informed enrolment decisions are made through genuine partnership, and there is no better way to establish this than through meaningful interaction on campus.  

Why the change? 

We are exploring this change for a number of reasons including: 

• These sessions provide a more authentic and meaningful opportunity for staff to get to know students.  

• Allows families to connect on site, in real life, in real time- with each other, and a wide range of staff (as opposed to one or two), experiencing our culture. 

• Students have an opportunity to meet and connect with others who may be in their cohort. 

• This experience allows students to engage in activities in a less formal setting which has yielded more relaxed prospective students who are organically asking more questions, and are more engaged than in the previous model. 

Is this enrolment decision made solely on this interview experience? 

No. The Student Connection Experience forms part of our overall enrolment assessment process and is considered alongside application information, school reports and any additional supporting documentation. Participation in the experience is an essential component of the application process.  

Does this experience guarantee and enrolment? 

As places at the College are limited, participation in the Student Connection Experience does not guarantee an offer of enrolment. Rather, it enables both the family and the College to determine whether the College is the right fit for the student and whether we are well placed to support their educational, wellbeing, and personal development needs.  

In many cases, the information gathered through the application and Student Connection Experience allows an enrolment decision to be made. Follow-up conversations may be beneficial to seek further information or discuss specific learning, wellbeing, or transition needs.  

Our goal is to ensure that every enrolment decision is thoughtful, informed, and centred on the best interests of the student, setting the foundation for a successful partnership between home and school.  

Year 7 Maths Games Day 

Article by Brennan Garcia, Head of Mathematics Year 7-12

Overnewton was delighted to host the Year 7 Maths Games Day, welcoming 42 teams from schools across Victoria for a day of competition, collaboration and mathematical problem solving. 

Throughout the day, students put their mathematical skills to the test across a range of challenges. Teams worked together on complex problem-solving activities, tested both their maths skills and their speed in the always-popular Maths Relay, where students raced to solve a question before running to collect the next, and finished with an origami challenge requiring precision, spatial reasoning and teamwork. 

The competition was incredibly strong across all 42 teams. Congratulations to Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School's all-girls team, who took out first place, with Scotch College finishing second and Trinity Grammar School in third. 

A huge thank you to all the students and staff who travelled from across the state to take part, as well as the Overnewton staff and students who helped make the day possible. It was fantastic to see so many Year 7 students enjoying mathematics, challenging themselves and working together. 

Congratulations to all involved in a fantastic day of maths!