Middle School Report  

Welcome back everyone, and a particularly warm welcome to all Year 9 students joining the Middle Sub School for the first time, and to all of our new students and their families.  We would also like to welcome Shona Cowell to the sub school in the role of Assistant Sub School Leader.  By now, you will have received a letter introducing the coordinators in the Middle School.  Please contact us if you have any concerns about your child or if you would like to discuss something with us.

We have had a very smooth start to the year and have been impressed by the students’ caring and respectful attitude towards one another.  A big thank you to our new Year 10 Peer Mentors (Ling Su, Ted Lee, Daniel Makahon, Hannah McEniery, Blen Asfaw and Michelle Pham) who did a wonderful job meeting and greeting all the new students, leading tours of the school, and ensuring that all questions and concerns were addressed.  Our Year 10 students have returned with a positive attitude and are working diligently in all of their classes.  Year 9 students are in the process of meeting their coordinators, and we have been very pleased by their enthusiasm, friendliness and commitment to making a good start to their learning this year.

Student weekly planners are available on the school portal for students and parents to access.  It would be helpful if parents and guardians checked diaries to see what work is being set by teachers.  Middle school students should be completing up to two hours of homework per night.  If no specific homework is set, then students should be revising class notes or engaging in independent reading.  The after school study group is available for students on Thursday evenings after school.

Year 9 Activities

On Wednesday 10th February, Year 9 students participated in the GAT test.  Their behaviour was exemplary and we were very pleased to see all the students take the test seriously.  This is an important test and provides a great deal of information about the students’ abilities that can be used to support their future careers choices.  On 29th February, Year 9 students will be participating in the swimming carnival, and we welcome Year 10 students who are also keen to participate.

Year 10 Activities

Year 10 students can look forward to a number of events organised by this year’s Beacon Ambassadors.  Congratulations to the following students who have been chosen to represent the school as ambassadors in 2016: Cindy Nguyen, Tina Huynh, Kellie Phan, Kelly Ha and Adbul Munim.  We look forward to working with you over the course of the year in your planning of our key events.  The leadership skills of other Year 10 students have also been recognised in a number of students elected as House Captains and SRC representatives.  Congratulations to you all on your roles.

On behalf of the Middle Sub School team, I wish all of our students a happy and successful year.