Middle School

“Happiness and self-confidence come naturally when you feel yourself moving and progressing towards becoming the very best person you can possibly be” Brian Tracy.

This term, we have continued our theme of being the best we can be through different activities that have allowed each student to bring their best version forward. The Middle School Leadership and teaching team have been fortunate to witness the best versions of students being demonstrated daily. Witnessing students bringing their best has shown us the growth of happy and self-confident students. We hope to see this growth continue in Term 4 as we engage students in further challenging aspects of schooling to build up those skills in preparation for 2025. I wish to congratulate students on their achievements.

Year 10 Work Experience

Work experience is critical to a Year 10 student’s journey toward adulthood, helping them build essential skills, gain practical insight, and better prepare for life beyond school. It offers a firsthand glimpse into the professional world. There are various reasons why work experience is an essential component in schools for all students to participate in. Some of the reasons include:

• Exposure to the Workplace

Work experience provides students with a chance to step into real-world work environments that are far from the classroom. This exposure helps them understand workplace culture, professional behaviour, and the daily operations of a business or organisation.

• Development of New Skills

Through work experience, students can develop essential skills such as communication, time management, problem-solving, and teamwork. These skills are invaluable and will benefit students in future careers or academic endeavours.

• Understanding Career Options

Work experience gives students insight into different professions, industries, and roles, helping them clarify their career interests. By experiencing a potential career path firsthand, students can decide whether it aligns with their passions and strengths or if they want to explore other options.

• Building Confidence

Navigating the professional world, even briefly, can boost a student’s confidence. The experience of meeting new people, tackling tasks, and receiving feedback helps students grow and become more comfortable in professional settings.

• Networking Opportunities

During work experience, students often meet professionals who can provide guidance, mentorship, or future job opportunities. 

• Preparing for Future Decisions

Engaging in work experience during Year 10 helps students gain clarity about their future education and career decisions. It also encourages them to think critically about subject selections, post-school pathways, and personal goals.

We want to acknowledge our year 10 cohort, who will participate in work experience next week. We wish them all the best and hope they come back in Term 4 with some new insights about their future pathways. 

Year 9 SSMART ASSK

On 10-11 September, Year 9 students had the opportunity to participate in the SSMART ASSK program, an initiative run by Ballarat Community Health in collaboration with Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria. This party-safe, harm-minimisation program is designed to reduce Year 9 students' risk-taking behaviour. The program aims to reduce the risks and potential harms of using alcohol, other drugs, and e-cigarettes. 

The students participated in learning stations facilitated by Ballarat Community Health and other partner organisations. These stations provided students with knowledge and an understanding of the effects of not staying safe and how to look after yourself and your friends. Once students cycled through the stations, they watched a live theatre performance by the Ballarat Community Health Creative Learning Team. The Program concluded with a Performance Discussion conducted by a Youth Resource Officer from Victoria Police and a Q&A session. 

The SSMART ASSK program empowers students to make informed choices, resist peer pressure, and seek help when needed. We hope students participating in this program will gain confidence in managing complex social situations and improving their physical and emotional health.

Morrisby Testing

In conjunction with SSMART ASSK, students used the other half of the day to work on personal self-development through the Morrisby Testing. Morrisby Testing is a valuable tool for students navigating their educational journey and considering future career paths. Some of the benefits of Morrisby Testing include:

• Personalised Career Guidance

Morrisby Testing provides students with tailored insights into career options that align with their strengths, interests, and personality. The test evaluates various abilities, preferences, and skills, offering personalised recommendations that help students explore careers they may not have previously considered.

• Understanding Strengths and Weaknesses

The detailed Morrisby Testing report helps students better understand their cognitive abilities, personality traits, and learning preferences. 

• Boosting Confidence

Understanding personal abilities and potential career pathways can significantly boost a student’s confidence. 

• Encouraging Lifelong Learning

Morrisby Testing emphasises the importance of aligning one’s career with one's abilities and interests. This mindset fosters a love for lifelong learning, as students are more likely to pursue paths they are passionate about and excel in.

I wish to thank Mr Anthony Meehan, our Careers and Transition Manager, who worked with the cohort for four sessions to guide and teach students how to complete the tests and provide feedback. 

Term 4 Year 9 Grampians Camp

This week, students will be given verbal information regarding our upcoming final camp for Year 9, 2024. The camp will be held at Silverband Lodge, Halls Gap, from 6-8 November, the week of the Melbourne Cup. This camp is a pivotal component of our Rite Journey Program, which ties in all aspects of challenging oneself and the support of others through teamwork and empathy lessons. More information will be distributed to parents and carers early in Term 4.  Staff leading some student groups are excited and thoroughly enjoy this yearly camp. We look forward to immersing and engaging our students in preparation for their final cohort activity for 2024.

We hope that you have a wonderful and safe Term 3 break. Good luck to those Middle School students who will be immersing themselves in their Japanese knowledge in Japan on the SPC Japan Study Tour with Ms Rachael Leighton (Year 10 Level Coordinator and Faculty Head of Languages), Mr John Hearn (Year 8 Level Coordinator and Japanese teacher), and Mrs Karina Dunne (Head of Middle School and Japanese teacher). We look forward to seeing lots of pictures!

Year 10 Legal Studies and Politics Class

Recently the Ballarat Police visited our Year 10 Legal Studies and Politics classes to talk about the role of Victoria Police. They covered a range of topics including arrest with and without warrant, changes to the Bail Act and what it is like to work in the police force. They taught us about how to join the police force and the importance of life experience.  They spoke about how interesting and “fun” the job is, the age of criminal responsibility and touched on different crimes that young people sometimes find themselves involved in.  The officers elaborated about the role of the Police Prosecutor, their role in schools and how they deal with youth crimes.

- From 10B (on behalf of the Legal Studies classes)