As the school year draws to an end, students in Year 9 and 10 have been involved in orientation and ‘step up’ programs to prepare them for their studies next year. In the final assemblies of the year, students’ achievements and successes were recognised and celebrated, and there were a number of exceptional music performances too.

Year 9 Events

On Thursday 2nd December, Year 9s took part in the fifth annual Dance Celebration. Students who studied Dance in Semester Two all performed their assessment pieces to the year group. A number of students also signed up to work with choreographers arranged by Ms De Silva to create dances showcasing a number of different styles: Hip Hop, Contemporary and Jazz. A traditional cultural dance was also performed by a group of Year 9 boys. So many students took to the stage to celebrate the different styles of dance, and it was great to see even more people up on the stage attempting the limbo.

The final Year 9 assembly of the year took place on Thursday 8th December. It was great to see so many students recognised for their positive contributions to the school, their academic achievements and efforts, and their attendance and punctuality. Following the assembly, there was a BBQ for the students to celebrate the end of the year.

Congratulations to Natalie Truong who was awarded the ‘Student of the Year’ award having achieved A+ and A grades in all eight of her subjects this year. A fantastic accomplishment, and very well deserved.

From Friday 9th December to Tuesday 13th December, the students attended lessons as part of a ‘step up’ program into Year 10. All students were given the opportunity to find out more about the subjects they will be studying in Semester One next year, and enjoyed three ‘taster’ lessons for each subject.

Year 10 Events

Year 10 students have also been very busy over the last few weeks. On Friday 18th November, twenty students were given the opportunity to work with employees from Energy Australia as part of an interview skills workshop run by ABCN. Miss Becky Annetts and Mr Brendan McFarland took the students into the city where they spent the day working with a group of business men and women to hone their interview skills. The students learnt about the importance of body language and effective communication during interviews, and had the chance to take part in mock interviews as well. It was a really enjoyable day, and the students all came away feeling confident about the prospect of attending interviews in the future.

VCE and VCAL orientation classes ran from Thursday 24th November until Thursday 1st December, providing students with an introduction to the curriculum they will study next year. The feedback from staff and students was very positive, and all classes were very well attended. VCAL students and those studying VET courses next year attended orientation classes on Tuesday 22nd November.

The final day for Year 10 students was filled with celebrations and excitement. Music performances, a photo slide presentation and a high number of awards were the focus of the final assembly, and a BBQ lunch was provided afterwards. Students received awards for their academic achievements and efforts, as well as for their leadership roles, attendance and punctuality.

Congratulations to Shani Nguyen and Lani Nguyen who were awarded Kwong Le Dow scholarships from Melbourne University. These scholarships will support both of the students to continue their studies at Melbourne University when they complete Year 12. Well done!

The Year 10 ‘Student of the Year’ award went to Ling Sun. Ling has taken on leadership roles as a Peer Mentor and SRC Representative this year. These leadership skills were also recognised when she was selected to attend a conference in Adelaide earlier in the year to discuss the role of technology in teaching and learning. At the start of Term 3 she was part of this year’s MAC production ‘Mulan’, and then attended the Fashion Awards Australia as a designer and model at the start of Term 4. In addition to all of this, Ling achieved A+ and A grades in all of her subjects, including two VCE subjects. An absolutely amazing accomplishment Ling. Really well done!!

The final day was rounded off with the Year 10 Formal at the Ultima Convention Centre in Keilor. A huge thank you to Ms Shona Cowell, Ms Lynda Vo and the Year 10 ‘Formal Committee’ for their hard work in organising the event. It was attended by over 130 students who spent the entire night on the dance floor celebrating the end their time in Middle School. Thank you also to Mr Sean Ryan who took photos on the night; these will be available to students on the school’s public drive.

To the Year 10 students of 2016, we wish you all the best for Year 11 next year, and thank you for two wonderful years working with you in the Middle Sub School.

On behalf of the Middle School team: Ms Shona Cowell, Mr Simon Lynch, Mr Brendan McFarland, Mr Sean Ryan, and Ms Lynda Vo, I would like to wish all students and their families a happy, safe and relaxing summer holiday. For those students leaving St Albans Secondary College at the end of the year, we wish you all the very best for the future.

Merry Christmas!

Dance Crew