Middle School News

Year 9 City Experience

Students embarked on the second wave of City Experience on Monday 13 May 2024. Students were responsible for making their way to and from the city each day, for a whole week, whilst navigating to different cultural and educational sites of significance within the CBD. 

The week kicked off with a smoke ceremony, a traditional welcome to country from an indigenous elder. Then students participated in ‘The EDSC Amazing Race’ which took them on a journey to visit several landmarks within the CBD and collect evidence as quickly as possible, before finishing at Federation Square. Congratulations to Group 9B2 who won the event and each student took home a $30 gift voucher to spend on items of their choice from a variety of stores. Well done to:

Overall, the students and staff all had a great time, with lots of positive feedback from service providers, regarding the curiosity students displayed through their inquisitive questioning and their respectful attitudes and behaviour.

During the week a couple of students offered to write a reflection on their time in the city. This is what they had to say:

By Elana - 9J

City experience provided us with the opportunity to explore Melbourne in a different light. We witnessed and learnt about the wonderful, notable and unfortunate truths surrounding our city’s history and current state.

In a world where we are often preoccupied with our own lives, this opportunity provided many with an understanding of real-life issues and how we can play our role in restoring the quality of life for many less fortunate populations.

Students had the opportunity to learn more about Victoria’s justice system through tours and interactive experiences at both the Old Magistrate’s Court and the Melbourne Watch House. We learnt about the Indigenous community at the Koorie Heritage Trust; paid our respects to the ANZAC’s during our visit to the Shrine of Remembrance and engaged in meaningful discussions about homelessness in Australia whilst at ‘The Big Issue’. 

Overall, city experience was a wonderful week of fun, learning and new opportunities, but most importantly, the creation of many lasting memories for this year’s year nines.

By Siena - 9J

Prior to City Experience I was sure that the program would hardly come close to the fun, adventure, and community presence that Year 7 and 8 camps facilitated. Interestingly, for both myself and many of my classmates and friends, City Experience trumped both! 

This past week has been a brilliant journey of developing independence and friendship. It would be impossible for me to pick only one moment that encompasses my favourite part of the program, but I cannot fail to mention the following: our insightful trip to the refurbished Shrine of Remembrance, my groups exploration of a local park in St Kilda, learning about the stories of the homeless and how we can make a difference during the Big Issue presentation, purchasing exponentially overpriced frozen yogurt (twice), touring the renowned Melbourne Cricket Grounds with a dedicated MCG member, and perhaps most importantly independently booking and dining at Stalactites restaurant.

As you can see, aside from the set City Experience activities that contained extensive structured lessons and teachings, what proved to be equally if not more informative were the lessons learned as groups navigated the city essentially by themselves. 

All in all, I highly recommend that all students, who are given the opportunity, attend City Experience. The week will forever be a reference point of hilarious stories, insightful wisdom based on experience, and fond memories, to share in the future. Thank you so much Mr Bond, Bree, and the Year Level Coordinators for organising the program, the cohort absolutely loved it!

Justin Bond

Head of Middle School

Year 9 Parent Information Evening - Senior School Pathways “The ABCs of VCE” 

Tuesday 4 June 

6:30pm 

Performing Arts Centre

Early in Term 3, Year 9 students will be selecting the subjects that will start their Senior School journey. No longer will they necessarily do the same subjects as their peers.

Aspirations, interests, and academic abilities now start to play a major role in the choices that students make and ultimately, in the direction their individual pathway moves.

In order to make informed choices, we believe that Year 9 students and parents would benefit from a greater understanding of the following:

• What is the VCE?
• What are the different options available for the achievement of a VCE Certificate?
• What are the options if a student is not ready for VCE?
• How might Vocational Learning play a part in a student’s VCE? 
• What do students need to do to achieve their VCE and obtain an ATAR?
• How do we assess a student’s suitability for studying an accelerated VCE subject?
• How do we assess a student's suitability for VCE - Vocational Major?
• How and why academic results in Year 9 affect the recommendations for Year 10 subjects
• How do subject selections and academic results in Year 10 affect choices that can be made in Year 11?

At the end of the presentation, parents will have the opportunity to discuss any further questions they may have with members of the Senior School Team. 

Please reserve a seat using the following TryBooking link:

https://www.trybooking.com/CSCHW

Kate Leaumont 

Head of Senior School

Student Lunches

Just a reminder to parents that we are unable to deliver lunches to students during school time.  It is the student’s responsibility to come and collect their lunch if it has been dropped off at Reception. Hot food is not suitable to be left at Reception.

PLEASE NOTE: Take-away food is not allowed at the College during school hours.  Under no circumstancesare students to be ordering take-away food to be delivered to the College.

Student Compass ID/Library/PTV  Cards

Please remind all students that they must carry their Student Compass ID/Library/PTV  Cards with them at all times.

ALL students must sign in with their card at the Middle School Office when they are arriving late and sign out at the General Office when they are leaving early for any reason. 

The cards are also used for any student photocopying that is done at school. The EDSC Student Compass ID/Library card can be used as ID for student PTV (Public Transport Victoria) travel. They are required to carry this card as student identification while travelling on public transport.

If a student loses their card, parents/guardians are able to re-order a replacement card via the Compass parent portal.