Middle School

Building Global Friendships Through Language 

Article by Jiaqi Li, Middle School Languages Leader 

Just before Easter, a wonderful surprise arrived all the way from Tainan to Melbourne. 

Our Year 8 Mandarin learners were delighted to receive a special gift from Nanke School in Tainan, continuing the meaningful connection established through last year’s online exchange forum. Our current Year 8 students communicated with students from Nanke School in both Mandarin and English, introducing themselves and sharing insights into their school lives and cultures. 

Our college’s Languages Faculty also received a thoughtful box of gifts from Nanke. This year, the friendship has continued, with every student receiving a personalised postcard wishing us a Happy Easter, bringing great excitement and joy to the class. 

Students from both schools were highly engaged in this valuable intercultural learning experience. The exchange not only strengthened their language skills but also deepened their understanding of global friendships and cultural connections. It has been wonderful to see our students communicate with confidence and enthusiasm while building meaningful relationships beyond the classroom. 

We look forward to continuing this special partnership in the future. 

This Is Us: Year 6 Students Explore Identity Through Statistics 

Article by Antonella Di Stefano, Year 6 Leader 

Throughout Term 1, our Year 6 students took part in an engaging mathematics inquiry titled “This Is Us.” Across all seven classes, this project transformed data and statistics into a meaningful exploration of identity, community, and connection. 

Working collaboratively, each class developed survey questions that captured different aspects of who they are. Topics ranged from physical traits and cultural backgrounds to interests, travel experiences, pop culture, food, and life at school and beyond. These student designed questions helped them uncover the many layers that make up their cohort. 

Students then gathered data from their peers and applied a range of statistical skills to analyse and present their findings. Concepts such as data representation, averages, and interpretation came to life in a context that was both relevant and personal. 

The final products were vibrant and thoughtful posters showcasing detailed graphs, key discoveries, and personal reflections. Students demonstrated great care in ensuring their work was both mathematically accurate and visually engaging, using data to tell their stories. 

The project concluded with a special end-of-term exhibition, where families were invited into classrooms to view the displays. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to share their learning and proudly explain the insights behind their data, highlighting their backgrounds, interests, aspirations, and, of course, their mathematical thinking. 

“This Is Us” was more than a statistics unit. It was an opportunity to strengthen connections, celebrate diversity, and deepen understanding of one another, all through the lens of mathematics and a fantastic way to start the year.