Middle Years  News

Middle Years update

Middle School

As I write this article on the morning of the last day of the semester, I am reflecting back on the first half of the year which has just passed so quickly it seems to me. Maybe that’s because so much has happened so far in 2026 in The Middle School with the countless programs and events that our students have participated in this semester. Today, at the Term 2 Middle Years Assembly, we are celebrating the achievements and hard work of our Year 7, 8 and 9 students. 

I will keep this article brief as we prepare for our big Middle Years Assembly today. All students and staff in the Middle School, I think it is fair to say, are looking forward to the upcoming winter holiday break after a great semester at Koonung Secondary College. There are too many programs and achievements and challenges and successes of our students to mention here and so I would like to make a general comment of well done to each and every Middle School student for the work and effort you’ve done this semester.

And the continuing successes I am seeing of our wonderful Koonung students this year so far would not be possible without all the support from you at home and from all our staff here at Koonung Secondary College. It’s a great place to go to school and to work at. Thanks particularly to our team at the Middle Years who put that extra amount of care and work in to support our students when they need it most at school:

Katrina Pumpa, Lauren Hughes, Kate Arnold, Stuart Kofoed, Jaymee Allender, Sarah Ryan and Luke Day-Smith.

Have a restful and relaxing break. Be safe and I look forward to seeing everyone when we return to school on Monday 13 July.

Alistair Tuffnell 

Head of Middle School 

Middle  Years Awards 

Congratulations to our newest recipients of our School Wide Positive Behaviour merit certificates. These Year 7 students have consistently demonstrated a commitment to our school values in their classes and extra-curricular activities. 

Special mention to Agatha Yip who is our first Bronze Badge recipient for 2026! Congratulations also to our Year 7 Athletics Age Group Champions: Jasmine Peng and Sammy Newman. 

Lauren Hughes

Literature, English and Humanities teacher 

Middle School Coordinator - Year 7

2026 Middle School Team:

• Alistair Tuffnell – Head of Middle School (alistair.tuffnell@education.vic.gov.au)
• Katrina Pumpa – Middle Years Administrator (katrina.pumpa@education.vic.gov.au)
• Lauren Hughes – Year 7 Coordinator (lauren.hughes@education.vic.gov.au)
• Kate Arnold – Year 8 Coordinator (kate.arnold@education.vic.gov.au)
• Stuart Kofoed – Year 9 Coordinator (stuart.kofoed@education.vic.gov.au)
• Sarah Ryan – Assistant Coordinator  (sarah.ryan@education.vic.gov.au)
• Georgina Russell-  Assistant Coordinator  (georgina.russell@education.vic.gov.au)