Middle Years News

Musical congratulations

I had the great pleasure to watch the annual school musical – “Shrek the Musical” during its limited run in the Koonung theatre. It was a fantastic show, with plenty of jokes, laughs and some truly amazing tap-dancing.

I want to congratulate all the Middle School students who participated in bringing this show to life. Whether on stage, in the band, or behind the scenes, you have contributed to a truly amazing show!

Well done to Emily Nash, Josie Mander, Victor Azubel, Lilla Buchanan, Ruth Chen, Stephanie Coleman, Zoe Coleman, Monty Hilker, Jack Moran, Sophie Newbury and Darren Tsai for their outstanding performances on stage.

Eva Karagiannis, Bobby Carnie and Wilson Li provided outstanding performances as part of the orchestra! Finally, the students who worked behind the scenes and the front-of-house to bring the show to life. Well done to Xavier Cronin, Alessio De Luise, Simon Cronin, Hazel Kan, Lucy Cooper, Lucas Yap, Michael Harding, Lachlan Cartledge, Daniel Goulding, Aaron Chee, Afra Eftekhar and Elsa Ji.

It was truly an incredible and memorable show!

Subject Selections

I want to thank all students and parents for their work over the last few weeks as we complete the subject selections process and set up the courses for 2025. It is a huge undertaking, and the conversations regarding your child and their future pathways is incredibly important. Thank you for your contributions to this process.

School for Student Leadership

This term, Koonung is fortunate enough to have six students taking part in the program at the School for Student Leadership. Lucas Itami, Andersen Kristanto, Xavier Connell, Hazel Kan, Millie Ferdowsian and Griffin Connell are currently attending the Marlo campus of the SSL. The SSL is a school where a limited number of students from multiple schools are selected to go away from home and school for a whole term to strengthen their leadership skills.

Student participation in this program has been supported by the Rotary Club of Mont Albert and Surrey Hills. This year, attending students have been fortunate to receive a donation from the Whitehorse Farmers Market, which is run in conjunction with five other Rotary Clubs and the Whitehorse Rotaract Club, to contribute towards the fees for attendance. We are very grateful to the ongoing partnership and support provided to Koonung and our students by the MASH Rotary Club.

Year 7 100 days

On Wednesday 24 July 24, our Year 7 cohort celebrated their 100 Days of Year 7. See a summary and some photographs from the day in the article below. Thank you to Mrs Lauren Hughes (Year 7 Coordinator) for her leadership, and for organising such an important event for the Year 7 cohort.

Phyllis Zhou- Gold Medal Winner

Congratulations to Phyllis Zhou of Year 7 who competed in the World Cup Dance Competition in Shenzen China and came home with a swag of Gold Medals. Phyllis loves all styles of dance, but excels in Ballroom Dancing. Congratulations Phyllis.

Year 8 Mental Health First Aid

As this newsletter goes out, Year 8 students are over halfway through their training in Mental Health First Aid.

The Teen Mental Health First Aid course teaches students how to provide initial peer-to-peer support to a friend or classmate who may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis, and how to seek appropriate support and help from a trusted adult.

Thank you to the Wellbeing team, in particular Eryn and Emily, for facilitating this program to upskill and assist in the development of our Year 8 cohort.

Wellbeing days

In the coming week, each Year Level from 7 to 9 will participate in a day focusing on further upskilling and developing our cohorts and their Wellbeing, with a special focus on connections and making memories. Keep an eye out for the report in our next newsletter.

Celebrating Success

On Friday August 2nd, a special assembly was held to celebrate students who had consistently applied themselves to their learning in Semester 1. The assembly awarded students based on two criteria – Excellence and Endeavour – and students were nominated by teachers in each of their classes.

Congratulations and well done to the following students for their efforts:

Year 9 Excellence

Alyssa Boyd
Archer Singleton
Bianca So
Cameron Tolliday
Charlotte Chua
Emily Nash
Evan Llewellyn
Izzy Johnstone
Kate Allen
Kiki Beamish
Lachlan Cartledge
Mary Karagiannis
Meika Guy
Natcha Lertprasertwech
Oliver O'Leary
Stefan Lee
Thomas Allen
Xin Lynn Ong

Year 9 Endeavour

Aaron Chee
Angie Ho
Chloe Wightman
Ellie Dyason
Izzy Sorrenson
Ivana Li
Kaylin Ngian
Lachlan Cartledge
Luc Earle Rosback
Michael Harding
Millie Ferdowsian
Oliver O'Leary
Jason Kwok
Victor Azubel
Wilson Li
Zara Chan

Year 8 Excellence

Aaron Vanchipura
Alice Mackinnon
Daniel Lim
Daniel Sanford
Elena Sync
Gabriel Patino Portela
Gemma Roberts
Jean Chua
Josie Mander
Kara Tan
Kendrick Kwong
Max Lim
Moksha Iyer
Odette Roberts
Remy White
Shani Brown
Sheron Lin
Stella Nazzari
Tiana Nguyen

Year 8 Endeavour

Aanya ENGINEER
Barsin Alinaghian
Cynthia Wang
Daniel Lim
Emma Green
Harish Umashankar
Immy Bartel
Jack Moran
Jarrad Baguley
Marcus Wirawan
Nevie Crouch
Shawn Qiao

Year 7 Excellence

Atrina Nia
Eboni Kwok
Eleanor Dowling
Ellyssa Chee
Gisele Freiha
Hazel Hills
Jalen Yong
Jenna Wang
Olive Brodie
Sahasra Adapa
Sherry Shen
Shion Chenhall
William Sheehan
Zune Pang

Year 7 Endeavour

Archer de Run
Archer McNeil
Evans Suryahardja
Heidey Pemberton
Jasmine Brewin
Jason Papastratis
Jay Fu
Kaily Yeung
Kugan MADHAVAN
Madison Sganga
Matthew O'LEARY
Mishika GUNIGANTI
Nicholas Mouratidis
Odette THICKITT
Oliver VOJVODA
Phyllis Zhao
Shanelle Heng
Tom Murley
William Sheehan

Thank you and farewell!

It comes with a heavy heart that I have to announce that Middle School’s beloved blue-haired Administrator, Regan Garner, will soon be leaving our Koonung family.

Regan has been a tireless support to Koonung staff, students and parents since joining us in 2021. Often the first point of contact for parents and students and we will miss her smile, and the way in which she works with staff, students and parents to support our students to achieve their very best.

Thank you for all your work, Regan! Best of luck in the next stage of your journey!

Mat Delaney

Head of Middle School

Middle School Team

The 2024 Middle School team are your primary contact for you regarding any matters relating to your child in Years 7-9.

Mat Delaney – Head of Middle School
Regan Garner – Middle Years Administrator
Lauren Hughes – Year 7 Coordinator
Nikita Natsis – Year 8 Coordinator
Stuart Kofoed – Year 9 Coordinator
Owen Lovelace-Tozer – Middle Years Support (Term 1)

100 Days of High School

On Wednesday the 24th of July the Year 7 Cohort celebrated their official 100 Days of High School. Students attended a celebratory assembly with a special address and words of inspiration from our school captains, Chloe Shi and Jai Reddy. Following this, students were entertained by musical performances from Alexa Pun (7D), Louis Fu and Marcus Lee (7H). The Year 7s then sang along to another live performance of our Year 7 Camp Talent Quest winning song ‘Riptide’, performed by Vincent Liu (7G).

The assembly also acknowledged the very first of our bronze badge recipients. This year’s Year 7 cohort are excelling with upholding our school values on a consistent basis. I’d like to acknowledge the following 11 students who have received their bronze badge:

• Olivia Barlow

• Shion Chenhall

• Alex Foster-Johnson

• Hazel Hills

• Archer McNeil

• Tom Murley

• Will Sheehan

• Jasper Shou

• Amelia Sun

• Cody Wang

• Dash Zhou

There were more awards handed out on the day, with lots of students excelling in the Education Perfect ANZ Maths and English Championships, the Computational and Algorithmic Thinking Competition and for displaying School Wide Positive Behaviour.

Students then viewed a slide show containing lots of memories and pictures of their first 100 days at school. Lots of these were related to learning, extra-curricular activities, Year 7 Camp and friendships. The way students wrote about their peers was inspiring. I reminded students that kindness is important and showing respect is an expectation here at the college.

The students then attended fun activities for period 4, having a chance to mingle outside of their classroom groups in either Dodgeball, Basketball, Table Tennis, Capture the Flag, Board/Card Games and K/Pop/Just Dance. Special thanks to the student leaders, peer mentors and Middle School Captains who joined in and assisted on the day and to all of the staff for running the activities. I’d also like to thank the Year 7’s who helped out either on the day or in the preparation stages: Abi Hahn (7D), Constance Lam (7D), Olivia Barlow (7D), Haydn Doganay (7B), Victoria Moar (7G) and our aforementioned performers.

Capture the Flag

At lunchtime, students participated in a ‘guess the teacher’ from their child photo competition and a lolly jar guess. Although no one guessed the exact number, the amount of lollies was 109 (100 Days, 8 classes and 1 coordinator), congratulations to Mehrbod Pousti (7D) and Eddie Hanslow (7C) for their winning guesses of 110 and 108. Students were also given the chance to take some photos with their friends.

It was a great day with a really positive and fun vibe and the Year 7’s have had a magnificent start to 2024 and their high school journey. I have had a wonderful time getting to know the students this year and can’t wait to see them continue to establish themselves here at the college.

Lauren Hughes

English, Humanities and SEE@K teacher

Middle School Coordinator - Year 7