Middle Years 

Middle Years Update 

Welcome back, I trust everyone had a restful break.

Over the next two or three weeks I'd like to share with you some tips on parenting. I have borrowed these ideas from parents, grandparents and some very experienced members of a range of different communities who have shared their expertise with me over the years. Some I have picked up from the wide range of material on this subject, on the internet or in articles on parenting teenagers. They come with no guarantees, but seem very logical to my observation.

Establish clear Family Core Values and Morals

From a very early age your children need to develop a clear understanding of what is right and what is wrong. This may seem like stating the obvious but often children receive mixed messages. Mum and Dad say this, but the latest reality TV show, movie or computer game sends a completely different message. As parents it is beneficial to discuss these mixed messages with your teenager. You set the boundaries for your family so that they are in no doubt as to whether or not you approve of their behaviour. If they cross those boundaries be sure to let them know.

Be firm but remember to be fair as well.

Tell your children you love them

It is easy to presume that they know this but we need to reassure them. 'Good night, I love you'.' I am so lucky to have you as my son/daughter, I love you very much'. Don't think that your partner is the one who is good at that kind of thing. Your children need to hear it from you!

Loving your children does not mean overindulging them. Beware of trying to buy their affection. 'If you really love me you would buy me that.' is a very old stunt that parents should be wise to. Your day to day expressions of love are far more valuable than anything that money can buy.

Let your children know that you are proud of them

Don't wait until your child is a 'champion", that day may never come. Sometimes we wait for a level of perfection which is unrealistic. We need to be able to recognise each small step they make to take them forward. If your child genuinely struggles with a particular subject , a C grading might be a source of genuine pride. Look beyond school and competitive events or performances to find pride in them.

 Express your pride in seeing the respect they offer to an elderly neighbour, or the patience they have with their little cousins. The respect they show to and the help they offer to the disabled person struggling to cross the road, should be a source of great pride. 

If they happen to be particularly talented in sport , for example,  your encouragement and pride is very important but don't let it be so overboard that the child thinks he or she can do no wrong. We all know how difficult things can become for a super brat.

Respect for others, be they competitors, adjudicators, spectators or bystanders is part of those family values we try to inculcate in them at a very young age. Good sportsmanship is a key element of enjoyment of the sport.

Get to know their friends

The wrong relationships can be a huge setback for a child. Conversely the right, sound relationships will springboard your child to a healthy future.  

Making your home a welcoming place for your children's friends has two major benefits. It helps you to get to know their friends and you know exactly where they are hanging out. In addition it increase the chances of getting to know the parents of your children's friends. Life becomes much easier as a parent if you can pick up the phone and say to another parent: "I don't like the sound of this party that Billie has been invited to. What do you think?' A "No" vote from two parents eases the burden on you. Similarly knowing other parents, gives you more confidence to ring the host and check on the numbers attending and the supervision provided.

Sometimes you might find the your child would sooner not attend a function than to have the 'embarrassment' of you contacting the host to check on what type of party it might be. Again it is much easier if you already know the parents.

Primary School Visit

Grade 6 students invited us to Box Hill North Primary to answer questions about Year 7 and high school in general.. Abbey, Jai and James were wonderful ambassadors for our college. 

Climate Action

Friday 20 September  2019

It was on this day that myself and millions of other children gathered around the world for the school strike for climate, led by climate activist Greta Thunburg.

It was the first protest I have ever been to. I found out about it whilst scrolling the internet, despairing about my future at the hands of climate change. I immediately wanted to be a part of it, to do something good, to be a part of something bigger, to help. So I told all my friends, we made plans and posters. The day rolled around and my friends and I eagerly hopped on the train and made it to parliament. This was great, except that we were four hours early. We had no clue what to do in the city for that long. This was the first shortcoming of the experience I guess. We simply wandered, slightly lost for that whole duration. Sometimes waiting, sometimes walking. Eventually it was time to go to Treasury Gardens, where we found a massive crowd gathering. We stopped to take some pictures, buzzing with excitement, in awe of the crowds. We tried to see what was going on but we could hardly move, there were so many people. We pressed on into the crowd, trying to see what was happening. But there was no-where to go. We figured there was a stage set up, as we began to hear some speeches. We stood in the hot, crowded gardens for nearly an hour, listening to angry talks of climate injustice and tragedy. Of wildlife, and sacred indigenous lands being abused by capitalist businesses for the sake of money. It was a bit sad really.

Finally, we began to march. It was such a relief to have space to move after being crammed in with so many people for so long. It was only then we realised the sheer size of the crowds gathered. An estimated 150,000 in Melbourne alone. I climbed up on a tram stop to get a better view. There were just so many people! We marched all the way to Federation Square, chanting all the while. There were police on horseback, making sure no fights broke out. And then it was over. We went home, and that was that. In summary I think it was a good thing to do to go to a strike and show that I care about climate change, but it wasn’t that enjoyable of an experience.

Katinka Schmid 8D

Summer uniform - Term 4 

I wish to remind all Middle School students that their school uniform should always reflect a level of care in their personal presentation and that they are to be correctly dressed at all times – this includes both travelling to and from school as well during the school day. We are extremely proud of our students and our College and our expectation is that students will wear the Koonung uniform with pride at all times.  

Breakfast Club

Friday mornings from 8am in the MYC

Homework Club