Middle Years 

Middle Years Update 

When welcoming back our Middle Years students to the 2019 school year I shared a quote which we will be reaffirming throughout the year “Work hard, always work hard and you will be recognised for your efforts” –Rod Laver

We all possess various talents but the key to success is hard work and there is no excuse for anyone to work harder than you work yourself. This is essential for all of us to reach our full potential. With that in mind, we have seen our students begin this year’s academic term in a really purposeful and structured manner and all our students should be congratulated on their approach.

Year 7 BBQ

Last week we enjoyed our Year 7 Welcome BBQ, where parents and staff had the opportunity to mingle with each other. This is an important event for our new families as it allows us to live out one of our College values, collaboration. At Koonung Secondary College we are a partnership; parents, teachers and students.

Making meaningful connections and maintaining them through the life of your time and beyond at our College is important. We subscribe to the theory that it takes a village to raise a child. This week the village got a little bigger for our Year 7 students, and we value this enormously.

We want to connect with our families to grow our community and support you in your journey through our College.

Year 7 Camp

The Year 7 camp is planned for Wednesday 27 February to Friday 1 March 2019. The program will be based at Alexandra Adventure Resort, Alexandra. The Year 7 Camp letter, equipment and medical forms were distributed in late 2018 (and can be located on Compass). We wish all the Year 7 students and the staff who will be accompanying them a wonderful and safe trip! Please remember that students need to arrive at school prior to 8 am to catch the bus. Please feel free to contact the Middle Years Office if you have any further queries.

Year 8 team building day

The Year 8 cohort is excited to be involved in the Arnold sports festival at the Melbourne Convention Centre on Friday 15 March. All Year 8 students will take part in games and group activities which will help build relationships within the students in their class and improve their health and wellbeing.

Year 9 Live Life Program 

The Live Life Program is designed to engage students with curricular and extra-curricular programs that are seen as relevant, challenging, values-based and appropriate to the specific developmental needs of adolescents. 

The students have started really well this year. Students are all wearing their student-designed Live Life t-shirts on Wednesdays when on excursions and extracurricular activities. Each of the four modules – Group, Life, Self, Community- have begun their activities. "Self" students completed their first excursion to 1000 steps in the Dandenong Ranges last week, "Life" completed their budgeting activity at Doncaster Shopping Centre, "Group"  have started their term team-projects, and "Community" students have completed their Scope Disability Training and are doing their first community placement visit this week. Good luck to all students as they enjoy and grow from their valuable experiences in the 2019 Live Life program. A particular thanks to Nicole Moussi and Kate Hindell who continue to do so much work and community consultation to make this innovative program so successful.

Live Life Captains: Liam Wheeler, Helen ball, Ruby Clark, Amelie Sorrenson, Sam Yao 

Uniform

As with any new year it is important to remind all Middle Years 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.

Upcoming Middle Years events

Wednesday 27 February – Year 7 Camp

Tuesday 12 March – Year 9 Parent Information Evening 6pm

Friday 15 March – Year 8 Team building Day

Middle Years reminders 

• Year 7 Sport Education Day is Thursdays, students are to wear their PE uniform all day
• Year 8 Sport Education Day is Wednesdays, students are to wear their PE uniform all day
• Live Life casual dress days, students are to wear neat casual clothing
• School starts at 8:50am
• Students and parents must check Compass every day for room and class changes
• Students are encourage to bring drink bottles in the warmer weather
• If your child has Physical Education during the day they must bring their PE uniform and get changed at school
• Sports equipment can be borrowed at recess and lunchtime at the Middle Years Centre.

Allira Howe

Director of Learning: Middle Years