Middle School

Anglicare Toy Appeal Fundraiser: December 3rd

Stepping Up in to 2026 

Article by Halide La Rocca, Deputy Head of Middle School 

As we approach the end of the academic year, our Middle School students may be experiencing a range of emotions; exhaustion, joy, relief, or trepidation, just to name a few.  

We encourage families to reflect with their children on the year by: 

• highlighting positive experiences  

• reflecting on challenges overcome and considering the strategies that were helpful 

• discussing areas of growth and taking a moment to acknowledge and celebrate these 

Families may also like to support Middle School students to begin to set goals around the sort of experience they would like to have in the next academic year.  

Monday 8th December is Step Up Day where students will have an opportunity to meet their 2026 teachers and class and begin to work in collaboration with their new ‘team,’ in their new space. For our current Year 8 students, this means attending the Canowindra Campus and meeting the Year 9 team for Jumpstart. Please refer to details about Step Up Day and Jumpstart which have been sent out via compass newsfeed on the 24th November. 

Change can be a tricky time for Middle School students. In order to foster communication and emotional support, we suggest the following for families: 

• Listen actively:

  Create a safe space for your child to ask questions and share their feelings, fears, and excitement without judgment. 

• Validate their feelings:

  Acknowledge and normalise their emotions (e.g., "It's hard to leave when you're having fun") rather than trying to fix them immediately. 

   

• Model a positive attitude:

  Show your own confidence in handling new situations and share stories of your own experiences with change. 

   

• Use "sideways listening":

  Talk to your child while doing another activity together, such as walking or playing, as this can make it easier for some children to open up than in a face-to-face conversation.  

A new year is an opportunity for a fresh start. We look forward to welcoming students into their new year levels on Step Up Day.  

Year 5 ‘Wild Action’ Zoo Incursion 

Article by Natalie Miller, Year 5 Level Leader 

Our Year 5 students were treated to an unforgettable experience last Tuesday during the Wild Action Zoo incursion, bringing the wonders of the animal world right into their classroom. The incursion was to complement our studies in our Science Animal Adaptations unit. 

The session was led by passionate wildlife educators who arrived with an impressive collection of Australian animals, some cute, some scaly, and all absolutely captivating. Students had the opportunity to get up close to a range of species, including lizards, snakes, frogs, native birds and a selection of unique invertebrates. 

A highlight for many was the chance to carefully handle or touch some of the animals under expert supervision. The excitement, curiosity and wide-eyed wonder on the faces of our Year 5s said it all.