Middle Years
Computers
As we get further into the 21st century and the digital age it is becoming the expectation that students in secondary school have their own digital device to support them with their learning. In 2015 we purchased a class set of IPads to trial with our Year 7 students to determine how effectively they supported the curriculum and learning of students compared to netbooks. As a result of this trial the Curriculum Team has decided to recommend to College Council that we introduce a Netbook/Laptop for Year 7 students in 2017. At this stage we anticipate that this would be a “Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)” with a minimum specification to allow devices to access the network. There would be an option to purchase through the College or independently.
Should College Council accept this recommendation we will then be faced with the question of what to do for our Year 8 and 9 students. At this stage we can see the following options:
1. Year 8 and 9 students continue using school provided resources
2. Netbooks are introduced for both year levels
3. Netbooks are introduced at Year 9 with Year 8 the following year.
We are very interested to hear your thoughts and perspectives in relation to what happens for each year level.
Please email Catherine Ford frd@wantirnacollege.vic.edu.au with your feedback.
SNAP SHOT - WHO ARE THE YEAR LEVEL LEADERS
The Middle Years Team has some new faces this year and we’d love for you to get to know them a little better. The spotlight this issue is on….
Miss Kate Chamberlain
Year Level Leader for – Year 9
Year Level Team – working with Mr Benn Pollock
How long have you been working at Wantirna College?
9 years this year!
What do you enjoy most about being a Year Level Leader?
The opportunity to work with a whole year level, including the chance to implement some positive initiatives such as Gold Level Status.
What are the classes you teach this year?
Year 7 Maths and Science, Year 9 Science of the Environment and Living, Year 10 Peer Support and Year 11 Environmental Science
What subject areas do you teach in?
Science and Maths
What is one piece of advice you would give to your year level?
To take every opportunity you can, but to remember that opportunities only present themselves if you work hard and are committed.
Where can students usually find you around the school?
Either in the Middle Years office, the Environmental Science room or the Dance room.
Do you have any pets?
I have a gorgeous dog, Zara, and two beautiful cats, Cleo and Floyd.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Dancing, shopping, catching up with friends as well as rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife.
GOLD LEVEL STATUS
Students in Years 8 and 9 this year are currently well under way towards achieving their own Gold Level Status. An initiative by the Year Level Leaders, Gold Level is for those students who quietly achieve every day, but are not always recognised. This could be due to their hard work not necessarily translating into exemplary academic achievement.
Gold Level acknowledges and rewards those students who strive to uphold the College values at all times. The criteria includes demonstration of pro-social behaviour towards self and others, always wearing the full school uniform, attendance at all College events such as the Sports carnivals (swimming and athletics) and involvement in any of the extra-curricular activities on offer.
Students who wish to achieve Gold Level are able to nominate themselves during Term 2 and collect a form that will need to be countersigned by their parents and teachers. These forms are already available for all students and those who attain Gold Level Status will be invited to attend a special excursion towards the end of the semester to celebrate their success.
We encourage all students in Years 8 and 9 to strive to achieve Gold Level Status. Students are asked to use their interim report as a guide for how they tracked in Term 1 and chat with their teachers about how they feel they have begun the new term.
Good luck to all students who have put themselves forward so far! Year Level Leaders are looking forward to reading through all the applications to hear about the fantastic things that everone is doing.
Personal Best
he Year 8 Personal Best program will be starting a little later than originally planned, however, students will still have plenty of time to complete their projects once everything is up and running. Personal Best will now be launched to students on Wednesday 25th May.