Junior School Report

This term the Junior school positive behaviour GEM program has resumed. Students have been earning class GEM’s in every lesson by demonstrating the 5P learning behaviours as well as displaying gratitude, empathy and mindfulness during their classes. These attributes form part of the Resilience Project work that students have been completing through Making Connections classes each semester.

Congratulations to our Year 7 students who attended a very memorable camp at Merricks Lodge located on the Mornington Peninsula. Approximately, 280 of our Year 7 students from across the college attended the 3-day camp enjoying aquatic and adventure activities such as canoeing, surfing, low ropes courses and team building aqua challenges. A highlight of the camp was the ocean cruise that allowed students to see dolphins and seals living on the peninsular.

The Year 9 students from Banksia campus have also had the opportunity to attend a 3-day camp at Alexandra Adventure Resort located in the Yarra Valley. Students enjoyed pushing their limits over a variety of adventure activities including, the high ropes course, leap of faith, giant swing and rock climbing as well as developing their teamwork and initiative through the low ropes course, orienteering, frisbee golf and trivia. We wish our Acacia Year 9’s all the best as they will be attending the camp during Week 7.

As we now move into the final part of Term 2 students are required to finalise their key pieces of assessment in preparation for their Semester 1 Reports. Students across Years 7 to 9 have been working to complete Common Assessment Tasks in all of their subject’s, including the What’s My Class’s Story data analysis project in Year 7 Maths, Scientific experiment on the dissection of a heart in Year 8 Science, and creating and presenting a persuasive oral speech in Year 9 English. Semester reports will go live on Compass on Friday 23rd June - If you require assistance with accessing Compass please contact the college.

The conclusion of Semester 1 will also bring with it Semester 1 examinations for all Year 7, 8 and 9 students. Students will undertake exams for English or EAL, Science, Maths, LOTE and Humanities subjects during Week 7 (5th - 9th June).

As we get closer to the exam period it is important that students continue to develop healthy study habits, and avoid the urge to “cram” the night before an exam.  Below are some tips to make the lead up to the exam period as productive and stress free as possible.  If you are finding the weeks before the exam period difficult, please chat with your classroom teacher, TTL, or reach out to the college wellbeing team for support.

In Week 8 of Term 2 students will move into Semester 2. This will cause changes to students' current timetables and their semester-based electives.  Please make sure that you keep up to date with Compass, to ensure you have the correct uniform and resources for your classes each day.

Ms Melissa Williams and Mr Matthew Sloan

Senior School Assistant Principals

Banksia & Acacia Campus