Middle School Report

Message from the Director of  Learning

Middle School

 Ms Michelle

As we enter the final stretch of the school year, we're excited to help our students finish strong! Term 4 is a jam-packed 11 weeks and we encourage everyone to maintain those positive habits of getting to school on time, being organised, and putting maximum effort into their learning. Reflect on the hard work you've put in so far and keep your focus on the finish line—you’re almost there! Remember to prioritise self-care by eating well, getting plenty of sleep, and staying active.

Regular school attendance and completing Year 12 (or an equivalent qualification) leads to better health, career opportunities, and income levels over a lifetime. Every day counts, and we want our students here as much as possible to ensure the best outcomes. A solid education starts with consistent attendance, so please encourage your child to attend school daily. If you’re facing challenges with attendance, reach out to your child’s Year Level Coordinator (YLC); we're here to support you in getting them back on track.

A reminder that our Headstart program will be commencing in Week 9 (2nd December) and students will begin their new classes. Current Year 9 students will transition into their Year 10 timetable and current Year 10 students will transition to the Senior School and begin their Year 11 VCE studies. Students will be informed of the Senior School policies during Headstart however, it is important that parents and guardians are aware that some policies will change as there are stricter requirements in the VCE program. All absences in Senior School will require a medical certificate or statutory declaration and students must attend 90% of their classes in each subject. For further information, please see the Senior School newsletter.

Every day counts so let’s all work together and finish the year strong – you’ve got this!

Year 10 Exams

Year 10 students will be undertaking exams on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th November. Regular classes on these days will be cancelled and students will sit a total of four exams over the two day period. 

Please note that Year 10 students will be dismissed from school at 1:07pm on Wednesday 27th November after their final exam. 

For many students, this will be their first experience with a formal exam. It's essential that they prepare thoroughly and reach out to their teachers for help when needed. We know exams can be stressful, but good preparation makes a big difference. Encourage students to stay organized, start studying early, and take regular breaks. Attached are some helpful tips for parents and guardians on how to support teenagers during the exam period.

Year 10 Elevate Study Skills Program

Earlier this term, Year 10 students completed their second study skills workshop with Elevate Education to help them develop strategies for academic success. The workshop covered a range of essential skills, from time management and organisation to effective time management and note taking skills. Feedback from the workshops was very positive, with many students indicating that they felt more confident, organised, and motivated to apply these skills in preparation for their Year 10 exams and their VCE/Vocational Major pathways. 

Year 9 Sticks and Stones Production

Our Year 9 and 10 students recently had the opportunity to participate in an engaging and thought-provoking Theatre in Education workshop focused on addressing bullying, harassment, and aggression in today’s world. This award-winning performance brought to life real-life scenarios that students might face at school, at home, and online, with the goal of equipping them with practical tools to handle difficult situations.

Led by two energetic performers, the performance addressed serious issues like cyberbullying, image-based abuse, and coercive control, shedding light on the risks and consequences of such behaviour. Through powerful demonstrations, students learned about the importance of emotion regulation, assertiveness, and conflict resolution, gaining skills in resilience and help-seeking. 

Students left with a toolkit of strategies to face difficult situations with confidence and resilience, helping create a safer and more supportive school community for all.

Finance and the law – Year 9 and 10 Excursions

Both the year 9 and 10 students have recently been on city excursions to the Victorian Parliament House and the State Library. Both groups had the privilege of being able to sit in both houses of parliament and soak up the surroundings whilst learning about what each area does and what our representatives do for their constituents. 

They were also lucky to be able to go into Parliamentary library and look at the original mace (which is used to open Parliament), and observe the librarians at work as well as gaze at the beautiful dome. It was like being in a Harry Potter movie!!

Unfortunately, the year 9s could not have any photos taken inside the house, as later that day, Parliament was sitting and so they were in high security mode. Luckily for the year 10s they were able to enjoy the experience and we are able to have some beautiful photos to show. 

Ms Sue Stenning

Humanities Coordinator

Alice in Wonderland Themed Lunch 23/10/2024

Ms Smetana and Ms Ryan dressed for the Alice in Wonderland Theme. Grade 5 and 6's from Westall Primary came over to visit.