Middle School

Dear community,

As we approach the end of the year, I would like to inform you about some staffing movements in the Middle School for 2019. Mrs Jenny Provis (Year 5) will be leaving us at the end of this year to move to the Northern Territory. I would like to acknowledge her contributions and express my thanks for her love and care of her students.

With Mrs Provis leaving St Andrews, our Year 5/6 Coordinator, Mr Sheahan, will be moving into Year 5 as a homeroom teacher next year.

I am also pleased to announce the appointment of Chelsea Christelow, who will be a Year 6 homeroom teacher for 2019. Here is some information about Ms Christelow:

My name is Chelsea Christelow and I am an enthusiastic teacher who has just completed a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) at La Trobe University. For as long as I can remember, I have been involved in youth/children’s ministries and music at my church and this is something I am extremely passionate about. Currently, I run a mentoring program for school-aged girls and am actively involved in ministries for children of all ages. In my spare time, I love being outdoors, spending time with family and friends, playing music and singing. I’m so excited to be teaching at St Andrews next year and to use my two passions, faith and teaching, to influence the lives of young people for His glory! 

YEAR 7/8 EXAMS

Our Year 7 and 8 students started their exam period with their English paper.

This will be the second exam for our Year 7 students, while the Year 8 students are seasoned exam writers by now. Nevertheless, it would be helpful to all students if they could have a quiet place to study at home, free from distractions like unnecessary technology, televisions or disruptive siblings. They should have breaks often, at least every half hour, and be encouraged to study efficiently in short bouts, rather than sitting for hours while not achieving much.

While some students may find exams challenging, we should encourage our students to view their exams as an opportunity to show how well and how much they have learnt in one semester. Success breeds success, therefore a positive experience in these early years of exam writing will set our students up for success in VCE. Your help, compassion, consideration and encouragement can also make a world of difference to your child’s exam experience.

Our students worked hard this semester; may the exam period be a positive experience for all.

Christa Cloete

Year 7/8 Coordinator

YEAR 8 SCIENCE GTAC EXCURSION

Electrophoresis to separate DNA fragments, centrifuging and gel filtration to identify milk proteins are processes that Scientists use regularly and our Year 8 Scientists were introduced to them at GTAC in Parkville. The students discovered the processes involved in immunisations, tried to work out which cows to breed from the composition of the proteins in their milk and also learnt about gene technology, genetic testing and its implications. They worked in small groups with real research Scientists and – most importantly – had lunch at The University of Melbourne.

(There are more Photos on I drive)

Student comments:

“I really enjoyed the excursion to GTAC. We were able to use advanced scientific equipment we don’t normally use.”

“The technology was cool and the iced tea was a good price.”

“Going to GTAC was an amazing experience to deepen our knowledge of Science. My favourite bit was talking to the Scientists about Science and university.”

“I learnt how not to spread germs.”

Greg Crotty

Head of Science

FUTUREFOCUS 2018

Be changed so you can bring change.

There has been a buzz of excitement in Year 7 and 8 this week, as students were introduced to the inaugural FutureFocus program. This program will run during the last twelve days of the school year, and it was born out of a desire to present our senior students in Middle School with a program that will enrich and equip them in the areas of resilience, STEM, career choices, subject choices and physical prowess, to name a few, while at the same time encouraging them to faithfully honour commitments, be devoted to growth, and have a servant heart.

Every morning will be started off as normal with homeroom, after which students will, on most days, have a double period of Maths. This will be followed by two 100 minute sessions made up of incursions, excursions, speakers, or a session presented by one of our own staff. Sedentary sessions will be alternated with more active, hands-on sessions whenever possible. Some sessions will be presented as electives, while others will be presented to the group as a whole.

Students were allowed to choose their electives this week, but now the focus needs to be on the exam which started today and will end on Thursday 22 November. 

Christa Cloete

Year 7/8 Coordinator

7CL OPEN THEIR HEARTS

Miss Kristy Ringeri with some students of the 7CL homeroom and their donations for the Salvation Army.