Koonung Secondary College Newsletter

Middle Years 

Middle Years Update 

Were there really 365 days in 2019? The year has gone so quickly it is hard to believe!

 

As we approach holidays, 😄 the Christmas Season and New Year let us take a few minutes to review the year that was 2019  at Koonung Secondary College for your child. 

  • Was your child happy?
  • Can your child confidently know that he/she worked to the best of his/her ability?
  • Do you as a parent feel that you encouraged your child to strive for the best possible outcomes according to ability.
  • Does your child take pride in the work presented or is near enough good enough?
  • Do you challenge your child to take pride in everything attempted?
  • Do you write off some subjects as a waste of time? How do you think this is likely to impact on the student's behaviour in that class?
  • Does your child show you the work they intend to hand in for assessment?
  • Do you tell your child that you were "no good" at certain subjects when you were at school? Again how do you think this will impact your child's expectations of success? 

 

The answers to these questions will be varied, but hopefully they will give you a fuller picture of where your child is at and some simple ways in which you can support them in their educational journey.

Perhaps some of those rainy days which are bound to come over the holidays will provide an opportunity for your child be better prepared for 2020. Are there novels to be read? What an advantage to have read them over the break so that they can revisit them with opinions and understanding in the new year.

 

Maybe lack of confidence in ball skills is an issue. Handling a ball, bouncing it off a wall, throwing it in the air and catching it is helpful. Initiate a game of back yard cricket or beach volleyball. Relax and learn and improve fitness at the same time.

 

Is there some area of Maths or Science that always causes problems? It is amazing how much time is wasted on advertisement breaks when we watch TV. Imagine what a difference it would make if we used those breaks to learn even one formula or rule or part of the periodic table. We still enjoy our programme but at the same time have helped or recall skills.

 

In the same way language skills and vocabulary, English or foreign language, can be learnt. Imagine how many new words we could learn if we just learnt one word during the ads on every show we watched over the holidays. For many families this could help improve communication with relatives in other countries.

 

None of this is intended to be burdensome on our children. If it is, then little will be achieved. If however, your child can appreciate the extra confidence such small steps can give them, so that they feel better equipped to engage in class next year, then that is a very positive outcome. Even if they disregard these suggestions now, but employ some of them during the next school year, that too is a positive response.

 

Thank you to all parents for their support and confidence in trusting us with the schooling section of their children's education. Congratulations on the education parents give to your children on a daily basis. There are so many things we take for granted but we appreciate the children's good manners, their caring natures, the ability to accept responsibility, sensitivity to the needs of others, their respect of each other and all they meet, and especially their smiles and friendly manners. 

 

Let me take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you a very happy and peaceful Christmas and good health and happiness in 2020.

 

I would like to thank my Middle School team for their endless work with all the Middle School Students, Julie Chaffer, Steph Grant, Will Emerson and Alistair Tuffnell. We were a wonderful team together this year and I wish Steph and Will all the very best in their new roles at Koonung in 2020. The Middle School team is excited to welcome Stuart Kofoed and Stephanie Goto to the team.   

 

 

Student achievements 

Congratulations to Johnny Suares (7G) who recently travelled to Perth to compete in the All Schools competition. To be eligible to  compete at this level is an  amazing achievement. Johnny came third in the pole vaulting  event. There is no doubt he will one day be on the big stage! Well done Johnny.  

  

  

 

Allira Howe

Director of Learning: Middle Years

Year 9 Summit Adventure Camp

Our adventurous group of Year 9 students has just returned from their Year 9 Camp to The Summit in Trafalgar, Gippsland. From Wednesday to Friday of last week, the Year 9 students participated in a variety of activities to challenge their comfort zones and to celebrate their three years in the Middle School at Koonung Secondary College.

Students were particularly challenged doing the ‘Mud Run’ (twice) on the first evening. They enjoyed working with their groups on activities, spending time with each other and bonding with their peers throughout the camp.

The second evening was a highlight; after a brief ‘Evening Walk’, the students participated with great enthusiasm in a whole year level dance party.

 

The students were outstanding, the camp instructors were really positive and the teachers did a great job to make this camp one of the best Year 9 camps yet at Koonung Secondary College.

I would like to thank Allira Howe (Director of Learning Middle School), Helen Lamers (School Nurse), Julie Chaffer (Middle School Administrator), Eva Attrill (Accounts Receivable), and the teachers and the three adult volunteers who attended the camp, for all your hard work in making this camp such a great success.

 

Alistair Tuffnell

Year 9 Coordinator