Middle School Update

Lantern Festival – Shine Your Light Evening

Our Middle School community gathered for the much-loved Shine Your Light Evening, centred on the theme of Imagine. This special event was a powerful expression of our Quaker values, highlighted by a lantern procession and thoughtful student reflections on their class Quaker namesakes. Students spoke with insight and conviction about imagining a better world and their role within it.

My sincere thanks to Esther Hoggart, Middle School staff, and the many helpers whose vision and care created such an inspiring and moving evening.

Year 7 Camps and Outdoor Education

Year 7 students began the year with camps at River’s Edge Wilderness Camp in the Huon, marking an important milestone in their transition to Middle School. These early experiences provide valuable opportunities for students to connect with their peers, Buddy classes, teachers, and the Outdoor Education team.

It was a pleasure to join each group on their final day and share in their closing Gatherings in such a beautiful setting. I extend my gratitude to the Year 7 and Outdoor Education teams for their thoughtful support of students during this important transition.

Following camp, students participated in Beach and Bike Days, designed to further strengthen relationships and build confidence. Through shared outdoor experiences, students developed foundational skills while being encouraged to embrace new challenges with openness and courage.

Year 8 Connections

Year 8 students are engaging in a series of Connections experiences designed to promote confidence, resilience, and student agency. Beach Day included stand-up paddleboarding, swimming, and beach games. Students travelled to Kingston Beach to participate in these activities and to further strengthen connections with their new classmates.

Year 8 students have also been introduced to the Design Engineering Cycle through the construction and testing of solar boats and Rube Goldberg machines. In addition, students have explored recycling and sustainability through a tour of the Hobart Tip and Tip Shop, and have had the opportunity to create a piece of artwork for the Art from Trash Competition.

Year 8 First Nations Perspectives Quest

This term, Year 8 students have engaged in a rich Connections Quest exploring the diversity of Australia’s physical environments and the deep relationship between Country and culture. Students have been challenged to understand that culture is shaped by the environment in which people live, and that Australia’s more than 250 First Nations cultural groups reflect this diversity. A key focus of the Quest is addressing the common misconception that First Nations peoples represent a single, homogenous culture, instead recognising the complexity and distinctiveness of each cultural group.

Working in their Key Classes, students have been allocated a First Nations language group to research in depth. Through this collaborative inquiry, they are developing their research skills, visual communication, and capacity to work effectively as a team. Each class will present their learning through an informative classroom display that reflects the Country and culture of their allocated group, with a strong emphasis on student agency in shaping their learning journey.

Some of the work by our Year 8 students for their First Nations Perspectives Exhibition.

Staying Safe Online

As part of our ongoing commitment to student wellbeing, Years 7 and 8 students recently participated in a session on staying safe and responsible online. A key message was the importance of making thoughtful choices when interacting digitally. This includes protecting personal information, being cautious about moving conversations between platforms, and remembering that many online spaces include adult users.

We encourage students to communicate respectfully at all times, recognising that online comments and posts can have real-world impact. This includes avoiding language or content that may harm others, such as unkind remarks, false claims, or the sharing of misleading images.

Students were also reminded of the importance of taking action if something does not feel right online. Saving evidence (such as screenshots), reporting concerns through the platform, and seeking support from parents, teachers, or trusted adults are all important steps. We also reinforced that group chats, particularly those initiated at school or on school devices, are not permitted, as they can quickly become unstructured and lead to inappropriate or unkind interactions. As always, school devices and accounts must be used in line with school expectations.

By working together, we can support our young people to be safe, respectful, and confident digital citizens.

Lindy Gannon - Head of Middle School (Years 7 & 8)