Middle School

As Term 3 draws to a close, we begin to look at our boys, both Year 9 and Year 10, experiencing their final year in the Middle School. With our new school model in 2026, both year levels will become Senior School students in the final two weeks of school when they complete the 2026 Head Start program.

One of the major activities our Year 10’s will be involved in next term is the opportunity to hear from Our Watch chief executive officer Patty Kinnersly on Friday, 24 October, who will also be presenting at our annual MENtal Brekky.

Our Watch is a national leader in preventing violence against women and children and works to embed gender equality and prevent violence where Australians live, learn, work, and socialise. 

The not-for-profit organisation is committed to building and extending its understanding of what drives violence against women and what works best to prevent it, and Our Watch embeds this knowledge into our tools, resources, training, policy and campaigns. While not all men perpetrate violence against women, all men can – and should – be part of the solution.

One of the major activities for the Year 9’s will be the Year 9 Grampians Camp from Wednesday, 5 November to Friday, 7 November. During the camp, the boys will participate in a number of challenging physical experiences including hiking, rock climbing, abseiling, high ropes, initiative activities, and canoeing, which will be conducted by the Silverband lodge staff and assisted by St Patrick’s College staff. 

To assist with the selection process for the activity groups, all boys have completed the Year 9 Yo-Yo test, which provides a solid indication of a boy’s level of aerobic fitness and thus which group they have been selected in, so that the group is able to work together safely.

Objectives of the camp:

• To conclude the boy’s Rite Journey experience.
• To promote healthy natural environments to our boys.
• To encourage an appreciation of the natural environment, and to educate our boys about caring for our national parks.
• To encourage the benefits of teamwork and being a member of a community.
• To continue to develop leadership in our boys.
• To provide opportunities to build relationships between staff and students and students and students.
• To develop concepts of personal challenge and adventure in each boy’s life.

Term 4 will also see the final Middle School Examinations running from Thursday, 13 November to Thursday, 20 November for all Year 10’s, and Wednesday, 19 November and Thursday, 20 November for Year 9's; with Friday, 21 November set aside for catch up exams across both year levels.

Until then, have a safe and restful Term 3 holidays.