Middle Years 

Pick up and Drop off Congestion at MYPEC

The congestion outside myPEC at the start and end of each day is significant, and as a result we need to revisit student movement as student safety is our primary concern. Friday afternoon pickups appear to be particularly problematic. We will aim to find solutions to the the pickup/drop off issues, but we need your help. Thank you to parents who have been trying to assist to make things easier for everyone.

Road Safety Protocols

Students are only allowed to cross the roads at the designated crossings, in MacPherson and Shakespeare Streets. When at the crossings, they must stop, make eye contact with the driver, and not assume they can cross without checking for safety first.

There is a staff member on duty at the MacPherson Street crossing before and after school. The duty staff member will direct students at busy times at this crossing. They will now be wearing high visibility vests.

Students are NOT PERMITTED to cross MacPherson street near the myPEC Steps. It has been reported that some students are weaving between cars and buses and this is alarming. Immediate detentions with result if this occurs. 

Parent pickups and drop- offs:

If possible, please park in a less crowded spot, for example at the northern end of the building near the Cricket Club end of myPEC. Alternatively, park towards the Neil MacLean Hockey Field. 

Please don’t have long conversations at the congested area outside of myPEC as this exacerbates the congestion. Drive and collect your children in a timely fashion if possible.

Report review

During our Monday Mentor time this week students were asked to review their reports and write a reflection on their grades and learning behaviours. Here is a summary of the task, as I thought parents may be interested in this process. I hope you are able to have beneficial conversations at home that will lead to greater effort and focus this term.

• Students were asked to choose two subjects they want to improve on and to write down the grades they are aiming for.
• Also asked to choose two learning behaviours they want to improve on and to outlines how they want to improve each behaviour.
• Thirdly, students were asked to review their attendance percentage.
• They were then reflected on the subject(s) they worked hardest in and why they worked harder in this subject(s).
• Finally, they had to summarise the learning advice comments from their teachers that will help them improve this term.

Last year I read James Clear’s Atomic Habits; his work is amazing, and he has a compelling story. He recommends creating more structure and improving systems. He says creating good habits is the key and we should reduce our bad habits. “Athletes are 90% gifted, but the biggest difference is execution, habits, routines and rituals”. He recommends aiming for 1% improvement each day.

If you are interested please look at this link: Atomic Habits  - James Clear – He starts to really explain the processes at 3min – to 15 min. The Surprising Power of Small Habits | James Clear | SNAPS Leadership Conference

Mrs Julia Winter Cooke

Head of Middle Years