Middle School Reflection

Term 1, 2026 Recap

Term 1 has been a busy and at times challenging start to the year, but one marked by strong foundations, new initiatives, and encouraging growth across our Middle School.

Year 7

Our newest cohort has made a positive and energetic start to high school life. This year, we introduced our Year 7 Induction Program, which ran for the first time across two days. Despite a few early technical hiccups, the program was a clear success. Students learned how to use their combination locks, navigate key online platforms and, most importantly, begin forming connections with their peers in a supportive environment.

The Year 7 Meet and Greet was another highlight, with over 400 sausages cooked and a fantastic turnout from families. It was a valuable opportunity to build relationships early and set a positive tone for the year ahead.

Students also completed their first round of NAPLAN testing, navigating the widely reported technical disruptions with patience and persistence. We are pleased with the strong completion rate and commend students for their resilience under less-than-ideal circumstances.

Our Mirimbah camps were a significant milestone, with six camps successfully running across the term. These experiences challenged students to step outside their comfort zones and build independence within their new home groups. We thank the many staff who supported these camps and acknowledge the courage and resilience shown by students. Unfortunately, 7A’s camp was cut short due to extreme weather conditions; however, a make-up camp is now scheduled in Term 2.

Term 1 also saw the introduction of our Year 7 and 8 Literacy and Numeracy Intervention Programs. These small-group sessions, informed by data analysis from our Learning Specialist team, are already showing positive signs, particularly in building student confidence and engagement with targeted learning tasks.

Year 8

Year 8 students have settled well into the expectations of their second year and have approached Term 1 with increasing independence.

The Year 8 Sport Day on Thursday March 19th ran smoothly, with excellent attendance and strong participation across all activities. It was pleasing to see students engaging positively and representing the school with enthusiasm.

We also introduced Class Captains early in the term. These students have begun to demonstrate leadership through small but meaningful contributions within their classes. As the year progresses, we look forward to expanding their roles as they take on greater responsibility, including supporting assemblies and year-level events.

Year 9

Our Year 9 cohort has demonstrated a mature and focused approach to their learning this term. They completed their final NAPLAN testing with minimal disruption, and the level of concentration and independence shown throughout was commendable. It reflects a cohort that understands how to engage productively in their own learning.

We are also proud to acknowledge our 2026 School for Student Leadership representatives: Khai Nguyen, Alex Hobbs, Anika Dowdy, Hazel Jollife Wilczek, and Gracie Muldoon, who will depart for the Snowy River campus on Sunday 3 May to begin their nine-week program. We look forward to supporting them as they develop their leadership capacity and complete their Community Led Project upon their return.

Looking Ahead to Term 2

• Year 9 GROW Week preferences will be released shortly.
• Information and sign-up details for the Year 8 Ski Camp (Term 3) will be shared early next term.
• The Year 7 End of Semester Celebration date will be confirmed and communicated to families.

Reminders for Students and Families

As we move into Term 2, we ask for continued support in reinforcing key expectations:

• Students are not permitted to leave school grounds (with the exception of Princes Park) during school hours. We have seen an increase in students going to Barkly Square, and consequences will be escalated if this continues.
• Year 7 and 8 students should not access lockers during recess and lunch. All required items should be collected at the start of the break to keep corridors clear.
• Please review any parent restrictions on student laptops, as some have prevented students from accessing required school programs.
• A reminder that mobile phones are not permitted during the school day under the government mandate. We ask families to support staff by ensuring phones remain in lockers and by avoiding contacting students directly during school hours. If needed, please contact the front office. We also note that an incident earlier this term involving a physical altercation being recorded on student phones reinforces the importance of adhering to these expectations.

Thank you to our students, staff, and families for your support throughout a busy and evolving term. While there are always challenges, there has also been significant progress, and we are looking forward to building on this momentum in Term 2.

We hope all families enjoy a safe and restful break.

Ashleigh Phillips | Middle School Leader