Middle School

The students of Middle School have grown so much this semester, demonstrating resilience to face challenges and changes that have continued to occur. They have experienced learning in and out of the classroom, showed generosity to others, and continued to work on building positive and respectful relationships with their peers and staff.

This week I had the pleasure of spending time with Year 6 students at camp. Despite the cold and sometimes wet conditions they rose to the challenges offered, showing persistence and perseverance. They tackled activities like canoeing, hiking and the “Possum Pull”. Many faced their fears and conquered them, proving they could achieve success if they dared to attempt something. Thank you to the wonderful staff who accompanied me, Inneke Smit, Brooke Busuttil, Desi Maramis and Peter Dickinson.

I take the opportunity to thank Dean Damatopoulos for his work, interest and care of the students in Years 6 and 7 over the past five years. He leaves his role as the Years 6 and 7 Coordinator next term. His work with individual students and their families has helped them to grow and mature in readiness for the next part of their educational journey in the Middle School. We welcome Jason Shulman to the role from Term 3, and I look forward to his contributions to the well-being of the students in Years 6 and 7.

Sharron Frame

Head of Middle and Senior School

Years 8 and 9

With reconciliation week providing a platform to remember the impact of colonisation on our First Nations Australians, our students in Years 8 and 9 were given opportunities to reflect on and consider others within our community. 

Such consideration came in Year 8, with our most recent debate centred around the topic ‘We will never achieve world peace’. The following is a wonderful recount of Maria’s experience in this debate:

“The collaboration and teamwork between my fellow speakers and I, is what I enjoyed the most. As the first speaker in the Negative team, I felt confident rebutting the arguments given by the first Affirmative speaker and defining my team’s position on the topic, with a confident substantive argument opposing the motion, thanks to some well-prepared cue cards. All speakers put forward well-presented arguments under the watchful eyes of our adjudicating teachers, which augurs well for future debating teams within our school community.” – Maria Dimitropoulos 8B

Meanwhile, our Year 9 students were provided with a presentation last week by their new Home Group teacher, Mr Jason Shulman. They gained insight into the past works and charitable service in which he has been involved and continues to take up within our Indigenous communities. Below are just two of the great reflections from our students, demonstrating the impact of such an experience:

“In today's pastoral session, the whole class couldn't believe what Mr Shulman shared with us. How could he possibly work, take care of a family, and assist the Indigenous community? I personally found it inspiring and great to know about his role; I learnt how much it helps, the part he plays, and the impact it has. It's always good to discover new things and realise how one's actions can make a difference.” - Manni Talias 9A

“Mr Shulman explained to the students about the work that he had done and is still doing in Indigenous communities. One key thing I have taken from his talk is that there are people, not only in Australia but also in the world, who do not have the same privileges as we do, for a multitude of reasons. However, we shouldn’t look at these people as different from us, instead, we should embrace them in our communities and make their quality of life as beautiful as possible and treat them as we would anyone who we see, live, learn and play with.” - Ketrina Mawal 9A

Finally, as our students in the Middle School finish off their remaining assessments, now is a time to also reflect on their own achievements this term. While many have come to me with their worries and their fears surrounding the marks they will get, I continue to reinforce the one key message they should take from any challenge that comes their way. That is, what defines you isn’t the outcome, but the measures you took to reach it. As long as they try their best in all endeavours they undertake, that is what counts. That is how we build people with worthy characters.

Michael Pegiou

Years 8 & 9 Coordinator

Years 6 and 7

As we plough through to the end of the term and students are busy with assessments. In my last article, I stressed the importance of setting high personal and academic goals. It is important to keep working towards these no matter what the outcome of our tests, assessment tasks or exams are, as persistence, perseverance and patience are key to long term success. 

Over the last fortnight, I have had the pleasure, together with the Year 6 Home Group teachers, Ms Smit and Ms Busuttil, to sit and chat informally with most of our Year 6 students on an individual basis. It was both promising and refreshing to hear the gratitude students had for the opportunity to learn and for their friendships but, more importantly, their ability to self-reflect and identify ways that they can improve moving forward. I would strongly encourage all of our students and their families to make this a common practice, especially at the end of the term. We can often get stuck in the daily grind and forget to celebrate our successes. 

Healthy Harold also paid a visit to Year 6. Students discussed and explored the concept of respect and how important it is to; respect one’s self, respect others and respect the environment. 

Last week, we also had the opportunity to gather in prayer at our Sts. Anargiri Church. It was wonderful to have a mixed choir of students across the Middle and Senior Schools actively participating in the chanting of the Divine Liturgy. It was also pleasant to see many of our students in Year 7 serving at the altar and supporting Fr George. Faith forms an important part of our School identity and supports students’ spiritual growth and wellbeing. 

As you are now aware, at the end of this term I will be passing over the baton to Mr Jason Shulman. I ask that you provide him with the same support and collaboration that I have been blessed to share with all of you.  

I would like to end with this quote;

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of the intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the beauty in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that one life has breathed easier because you lived here. This is to have succeeded.”― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Dean Damatopoulos

Years 6 & 7 Coordinator