Middle School

Middle School End-of-Year Newsletter

As we reach the end of another incredible school year, we are proud to reflect on the outstanding achievements, growth, and experiences of our Middle School students. From hands-on learning to inspiring guest speakers, from outdoor adventures to student-led activities, 2025 has been a year filled with opportunity, community, and personal development.

Year 9 Highlights

Our Year 9 students embraced every challenge and opportunity with enthusiasm and curiosity. Their year was packed with meaningful experiences across a wide range of learning areas:

• Outdoor Sailing Camp – A fantastic chance for students to develop teamwork, leadership, and resilience on the water.
• Career Immersion Day – Students explored potential future pathways through interactive sessions and industry insights.
• Guest Speakers – We welcomed professionals from IBM and the William Angliss Institute, who shared valuable knowledge about the world of technology, hospitality, and beyond.
• Youth Volunteering Expo – Students learned how they can give back to their community and discovered local volunteering opportunities.
• Subject Expo – A key event helping students make informed decisions about their academic paths.
• Empowering Women in Trade Expo – An inspiring event encouraging our young women to explore careers in trades.
• Community Connections – Students worked closely with Manningham Council on a range of transport activities.
• Environmental Learning – Students explored 13 Mile Creek and contributed to local environmental initiatives.
• Urban Art Excursion & City Experience – These excursions allowed students to dive into Melbourne’s vibrant cultural landscape.
• “My Animal” Project Trip to Healesville Sanctuary – A memorable day where learning met wildlife and conservation.
• End-of-Year Camp – To finish the year on a high, Year 9 students will enjoy a three-day camp at Wilsons Promontory, filled with outdoor adventure and celebration.

Year 10 Highlights

Year 10 began the year with energy and purpose, kicking things off with their first Revive Day, focused on well-being and help-seeking. Students were moved by Mr. Pring’s emotional speech and enjoyed a range of student-led activities, including a mini-Olympics in the gym and creative workshops in the new Middle School Study Centre.

Throughout the year, Year 10 continued to build resilience, leadership, and connection:

• Pat Cronin Foundation Presentation (Term 2) – A powerful session on safe choices and social responsibility.
• Student-Organised Colour Run – A joyful, high-energy event that brought the year level together.
• Inspirational Talk by Steve Baker (Term 3) – Students were captivated by his message of perseverance, hard work, and never giving up.
• Amazing Race Student Activity – A fun and engaging day that encouraged teamwork and problem-solving.
• Red Frogs & Zac Jones Presentation (Term 4) – Focused on personal responsibility, risk assessment, and supporting each other.
• Life-Sized Games Finale – The final Revive Day ended with giant games and relaxing activities in the gym—an uplifting end to a big year.
• Road Smart Interactive Program – Year 10s participated in this important program to build road safety awareness and reduce accidents.
• Inspiring Girls “International Reclaimed” Program – Year 9 and 10 girls took part in this empowering initiative focused on identity, confidence, and positive role models.
• Central Australia Camp – Nearly half the cohort embarked on a 10-day adventure, travelling through Central Australia and deeply engaging with Indigenous culture, history, and country.

Looking Back—and Ahead

This year has been absolutely jam-packed with activities, excursions, guest speakers, and hands-on experiences that have enriched our students' learning and personal growth. We are incredibly proud of the progress, maturity, and spirit shown by our Middle School students throughout the year.

As we wrap up 2025, we look forward with excitement to all that next year will bring. Thank you to our students, families, and staff for your ongoing support and dedication.

Wishing everyone a safe and well-deserved break!

The Middle School Team

Middle School Awards

Congratulations to this year's award winners for Year 9 and 10

Year 9:

• Alpine School Award - Benji Mayne
• School Improvement Team Contribution Award - Xavier Stephan
• 100% Attendance Award: Rayan Sihawi, Gavin Fung, Ayaka Yu, Alvin Hui, Tiger Nguyen, & Ken Chan
• Global Youth Forum Award: Melina Athanasiadis & Xavier Stephan
• Victorian Young Leaders to China Program Award: Josephine Kung, Constance Ho& Xingyu Xu
• International Student Award: Mia Gao
• Sports Award: Toby Smith & Christina Kapsimallis
• Music Performance & Service Award: Ayaka Yu, Constance Ho & Nathan Chow
• DSC Community Award: Elyse Van Der Mei
• DSC Values Award: Yasmin Aljaber & Madison Nguyen
• DSC Merit Award: Emily Farrel & Roman Jarski

Year 10:

VCE Academic Excellence

• DSC Merit Awards: Alexandra Coutsovelis & Sarah David
• ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership & Teamwork Award: Kate Granger
• ADF Future Innovators Award: Lucas Horvath
• Rotary Club of Manningham Citizenship Award: Sienna Margarejo
• Melbourne University Kwong Lee Scholars Program Award: Sienna Margarejo
• Monash Young Scholars Award: Diba Toufanian, Shanice Lau and Rebecca Coates
• Music Award: Sienna Margarejo
• DSC International Student Award : Nelly Lim
• Ted Czochralski Award: Diba Toufanian
• DSC Sports Award: Zoe Robertson & Bradley Davey
• DSC Values Award: TJ Kosta
• VICPROP Community Spirit Award: Brad Wong

Wilson's Promontory