Middle Years
Middle Years Update
As I watched the Middle School students return this term, I could tell that even in their trepidation, and with their faces now covered, a sparkle of joy had returned to their eyes. Finally, after what has felt like a grim, relentless Groundhog Day-like experience these past months, our young people are back where they rightfully should be.
Asking many of them what they appreciated about being back, and what they found challenging, the main themes in their responses would not surprise you: “I really appreciate being back with my friends, though I find these masks a little uncomfortable.” Having been released from my own personal cage at the same time, it felt no different for me. We are told regularly that we humans are social animals, and now each of us in Melbourne has lived experiences of that truth.
Whilst we have spent so much time at home, many of us have noticed the polarisation that has crept into public discourse, both through our official media channels and our social ones. It has come to feel that never before have we been so divided, so unwilling to show the co-operation and tolerance, that is crucial to our collective wellbeing. This polarisation has strangely existed alongside so many of us making a great sacrifice to protect the wider community. It’s been a question I’ve sat on for quite some time during this lockdown: How can it be that we are so desperately missing our lived relationships and have put our lives on hold in order to protect the most vulnerable, yet we can turn on each other regularly with such venom?
One book which provided some answers to these questions recently is Rutger Bergman’s Humankind. Bergman argues for a different narrative to be told about our underlying human nature: that we are not essentially competitive and selfish, but, at heart, actually quite decent. His research into a real life Lord of the Flies situation, where a group of 6 Tongan teenagers ended up shipwrecked on a Pacific island, is not only an amazing narrative, it also shows that when confronted with great difficulty, we do have a tendency to work together and overcome it. We have done this over and over throughout history, all around the world. And the story of our shared lockdown is now one more!
Year 7-9 end of year celebrations and awards
The celebration picnic was a lovely end to the academic year for our Middle School students. Thank you to everyone who helped make the afternoon successful and entertaining.
I would like to thank the hard working Middle School Team for all their efforts throughout 2020. A special mention to Stuart Kofoed, Alistair Tuffnell, Stephanie Goto, Sarah Hobson and Julie Chaffer.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge the fantastic contribution from our 2020 student leadership team who have been amazing to work with and always willing to help in any way. We wish them all well in 2021.
Allira Howe
Director of Learning: Middle School
Even the family pet benefits from our learning....
Poppy loves her new bed that Levi Henson, 7D has made for his Self-Directed Project in the SEE@K program. Students have learnt how to use a sewing machine this term after returning from remote learning. It has been amazing to see their focus and eagerness to learn in practical subjects. A big congratulations to all students who have learnt to use the sewing machine, problem solve and be reflective learners throughout Semester 2.
Kirby Sens
Art and Technology Teacher
Whitehorse News 2020
It's great to see our students being recognised in the wider community.
National Recycling Week Competition Winners
To celebrate National Recycling Week (9 November-15 November 20) Whitehorse Council ran a colouring competition for ages 13 and under, to raise awareness of recycling right!
Many wonderful entries were received and one of our Year 7 students, Erin Brockbank is the winner for the 11-13 year old age category.
Congratulations Erin!