Middle School Report

Welcome to Term 3

Attendance 

Later this Term and into next Term, all year 9 and 10 students will begin analysing their attendance and setting formal Goals. It is vital that as a school community our students and families alike, recognise that strong attendance ensures consistent learning, helping students build knowledge, skills, and social connections essential for their success. Being present at school also supports our student’s engagement, accountability, and access to valuable resources and support from teachers and peers.

In PDL time our Middle School students will have opportunities to analyse their attendance records. Here they will be able to identify patterns and reasons for absences. This will help them understand the impact on their learning and take responsibility for improving. This self-awareness encourages better habits, accountability, and proactive steps to address challenges that may be affecting their school attendance.

Year 10 Life Choices presentation 

Our Year 10 students were extremely lucky to have the Life Choices Foundation come out on the 22nd of May to present to them. Andrew Fisher was our guest speaker and presenter and discussed the latest evidence informed research into happiness & well-being amongst teens. Covering important issues such as self-control, self-image, social comparison, community awareness & values and beliefs, this Program challenges teens to stop & think through the consequences of important life choices & encourages them to choose the path that is ‘right’ for them. Our students and staff found Andrew extremely engaging and motivational. His amazing anecdotes about his race car driving history no doubt also helped appeal to many of our students. 

Year 10 exams:

Our Year 10 exams are only a few weeks away. These exams will run in week 9 and 10 of this Term. While the English and Maths exam will be full length exams and will be run as an entire cohort, the other subjects will be running shorter exams in allocated class time.

Exams are an important part of your child’s learning journey because they provide a clear way to measure understanding and progress. They help identify strengths and areas that may need more focus, guiding both students and teachers to tailor learning effectively. Exams also prepare our students for future challenges by developing skills like time management, critical thinking, and working under pressure. While exams can feel stressful, they offer valuable feedback that supports growth and helps students build confidence in their abilities as they work toward their academic and career goals.

We ask that we have your support in ensuring strong attendance during these weeks!

Year 10 Work Experience 

In the last week of this Term (week 11) all Year 10 students will complete Work Experience. This is a compulsory part of the Year 10 Course, and it is expected that all students participate. We ask that if their Work Experience forms have not been submitted to please encourage and support your child in doing so.

Work experience is important for our students because it helps them develop practical skills, gain a better understanding of the working world, and build confidence. It also allows our students to explore career interests, improve their resumes, and make professional connections that can support future job opportunities.

Careers Expo:

On Thursday 15th May, our Year 10 students ventured out to the Melbourne Showgrounds for the Annual Careers Expo.

The Melbourne VCE and Careers Expo is a major event where students can explore various post-school pathways, including university, TAFE, apprenticeships, and employment. This expo offers seminars, direct access to education and training providers, career guidance, and support services. Here our students received personalized advice on courses, entry requirements, and career options, while also benefiting from resources aimed at helping with subject selection and future planning. 

This comprehensive support helps our students understand the full range of pathways available after school, enabling them to make confident, well-rounded decisions about their education and future careers. By engaging with educators, industry representatives, and career counsellors, our students gain clarity and direction, reducing uncertainty and improving their chances of success.

Celebration Assemblies 

Towards the end of this Term we will celebrate our Year 9 and 10 students at our End of Semester Celebration Assembly. Here we recognise achievements based on our three school values; excellence, respect and responsibility. We will also award students who have above 90% attendance with certificates. As a school we all recognise that strong attendance and being present is the core key to success. 

Students with the highest green chronicles on Compass will also be recognised. 

We appreciate that our students thrive when commended because recognition boosts their confidence, motivation, and sense of accomplishment. Positive feedback reinforces their efforts and encourages them to keep striving for success, creating a cycle of increased engagement and resilience. Our motivation for these Celebration Assemblies is to ensure that our students feel valued and supported and in turn, this helps build their positive growth mindset, which leads to greater persistence and improved performance.