Middle School Report

As we move towards the middle of Term 2, it’s a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our Middle School students. As many students, parents and carers would see through accessing Compass, our students’ positive behaviour is recognised through Positive Behaviour Merits. I would like to recognise the following students for receiving 20 or more positive merits by the end of Week 3, Term 2:

Zack Hall

Riley Goldsworthy

Gemma Bertlett

Mia Damos

Oliver Stanyer

Easton Crowley

Alexander Zdravkovski

Nava Mollahagahi

Sarah Wheeler

Alison Chetty

Archer Lee

Mitchell Graham

Aleksandar Boskovic

Seth Grace

Penelope White

Matthew Herbert

Kobe Davidson

Leah O’Halloran

Maya Bloomfield

Jack Porter

Ella Dobson

Zac Sloan

Jack Porter

Stacy Easterbrook

Sebastian Thomas

Vanessa Griggs

Hayden Doidge

Georgia Taylor

George Humbke

To achieve this requires a consistent commitment to positive behaviour aligned with our school values of Courage, Aspiration, Respect and Equality. Congratulations to these students.

I would also like to take this opportunity to encourage all of our Middle School students to consider how they can demonstrate our college values. Here are some things students might consider when they are at school and representing our school in the community:

Courage

• Asking for help in class when a task seems confusing or difficult
• Letting a teacher know if someone else is being treated unfairly
• Trying a new subject, activity or leadership opportunity even when feeling nervous or unsure

Aspiration

• Setting a goal to improve attendance, organisation or classwork and working towards it each week
• Completing CATs, class tasks or homework to the best of your ability
• Taking time to learn about things you might be interested in for the future

Respect

• Listening respectfully to teachers and classmates in the classroom
• Looking after classrooms, equipment and the school environment
• Being welcoming, polite and helpful towards visitors to the school

Equality

• Treating everyone fairly, regardless of any differences they might have
• Making sure everyone has a chance to contribute and be heard in class and other activities
• Challenging comments or behaviours that may be offensive or disrespectful to others

For parents and carers, it may also be helpful to understand some of the neurological changes adolescents experience during these years of school, particularly those that relate to positive behaviour and decision-making.

One of the most significant changes involves the development of executive functioning skills. These include students’ ability to plan, hold information in short-term memory, control impulses and adapt to changing demands or environments.

Adolescents can be supported to develop these skills through clear and consistent routines at home and school along with calm, safe and supportive environments. It is important to remember that these are learned skills, and adolescents need ongoing support and guidance from both the school and home environment as they develop them.

I hope everyone has a great Term 2.