Middle School News

Middle School

Years 7 – 9 have been trucking along nicely, considering they are caught in the midst of the VCE Exam period. Many thanks to all Middle School students who have navigated numerous room changes due to the 400 block being quarantined for the larger English and Further Maths exams. Students have definitely demonstrated the College values of respect by being quiet and courteous during recess and lunchtime and when passing the exam zones, showing care and compassion for their senior peers and being resilient when faced with disruptions to their routines. I’m sure the Senior School Team would like to echo my sentiments.

Year 9 Celebration – Period 4, Tuesday 21 November

Our Middle School Captains are busily organising the Year 9 Celebration, which will take place during Period 4 on Tuesday 21 November. Year 9s will be treated to ‘Bubble Tea’, music, games and activities at this fantastic student-led event to mark the end of their Middle School journey.

If the $5.00 payment has not already been paid for this Event (collected via POSF classes), this will need to be paid by cash to the Middle School Office prior to the day.  This will cover costs, and proceeds will go to “The Cancer Council”. 

EOY Activities: Healesville Sanctuary

Congratulations to all those who secured their spots on the EOY Activities. Word has just come through that there are still some spots available for students to attend Healesville Sanctuary on Tuesday 12 December. Check Compass for details and hurry as spots won’t last.

Middle School Captain Speeches

During Positive Futures last week, students who made it through the application stage were given the opportunity to address their peers to appeal for their votes as part of the Middle School Captains selection process. A HUGE round of applause to all who spoke. Their speeches were clear, inspirational and rational with great ideas for school improvement and demonstration of leadership qualities. Interviews will take place on Monday 13 and successful candidates to be notified shortly after. Presentation of the Middle School Captains will officially take place at the end of Year Values Assemblies during the Advance Program.

Justin Bond

Head of Middle School

Student Reports - Year 7 EAL reflections

In Year 7 EAL, I have studied a lot of topics, and learned some new skills. I really enjoy watching the movie “Paper Planes”. During the lesson, the teacher always helps me to learn. Year 6 is different to Year 7, but I love Year 7. In Year 7, we have more tasks and subjects to do, it’s hard but I like challenges.  I don’t have many good friends yet, but I hope to meet more. In Year 7, I want to be organised and keep studying hard. And I hope the new Year 7 students relax and embrace the change. High school is a new adventure, and you will have many opportunities to learn new things, meet new people, and discover your interests. Don’t be afraid of the unknown but be curious and open-minded.

by student in 7EAL1 

I really enjoyed being in EAL, because of the way we were learning stuff. For example, we watched movies to study them like Paper Planes and Storm Boy. I really enjoyed watching Paper Planes because it had more details, and it was just a better movie.

The way that Miss James was teaching us was so great, the way she was teaching us made me want to learn more about that topic. The techniques that Miss James teaches us are great and make the whole lesson so much fun. The reading lessons are so fun as well, basically every second week we do a reading session by going to the library and reading there and usually, we read until there are around 10 minutes left then we get on our laptops and go to our reading log and add some new words that we learned from that book.

by student in 7EAL1

Year 7 Vs Year 6 - Moving to High School is a really big change because a lot of things change here, for example, there are more subjects and rooms, you often go to the next class in a new room, so it's hard to know where each class is.

There are multiple teachers in high school so every time you go to another class your teacher changes. In my opinion, I like high school more than primary school because there is more freedom and a lot of different fun stuff.

Tips 

• Make good friends in primary school and keep them because it's important to have good friends in high school
• Stay out of drama and don’t get yourself in trouble
• Be respectful to your teachers. 
• Be organised and ready for class and have good stationery
• When you come to high school, try to be on time for each class, do your homework and always be ready for tests

by student in Year 7 EAL

In year 7 EAL we had a lot of fun especially with Miss James. We learned a lot of new things and we have improved our English a lot by practicing film techniques, listening and much more…

My favourite topic was when we got to watch Paper Planes, it was the best experience I had.

This year was a fresh start for me, and I had a much better experience as I got to know more people and we have more subjects to study. We had a lot of fun. If you find the right friends for you it is a very good experience coming to high school. The system is also different as we have lockers which I hate. The mess in my locker is out of control, but on the other hand we had different teachers and different classrooms each period which is a fun way to keep me fresh in each period.

I think this would be a great change for Year 6s. My advice is think before you do an action, be friends with people that are right for you and try to keep them. Study as much as you can because in the long run it will help you so much in the future.

by Shayan 7B

Brenda James

EAL/ELC Coordinator

Student Lunches

Just a reminder to parents that we are unable to deliver lunches to students during school time.  If your student has forgotten their lunch, it can be dropped in to the General Office but it is the student’s responsibility to come and collect it. 

Hot food is not suitable to be left at the office.  PLEASE NOTE:- Take-away food is not allowed during school hours.

Under no circumstances are students to be ordering take-away food to be delivered to the College.

Student Compass ID/Library/PTV  Cards

Please remind all students that they must carry their Student Compass ID/Library/PTV  Cards with them at all times.

ALL students must sign in with their card at the Middle School Office when they are arriving late and sign out at the General Office when they are leaving early for any reason. 

The cards are also used for any student photocopying that is done at school. The EDSC Student Compass ID/Library card can be used as ID for student PTV (Public Transport Victoria) travel. They are required to carry this card as student identification while travelling on public transport.

If a student loses their card, parents/guardians are able to re-order a replacement card via the Compass parent portal.