MIDDLE SCHOOL

Attendance Winners Pizza lunch - Thursday 5 September

IMPORTANT DATES

Thursday 12 September

Middle School student led assembly

Thursday 19 September

3 Way Conferences

Friday 20 September

End of Term 3

Staff Professional Development Day (Student FREE Day)

Monday 7 October

Term 4 STARTS

Thursday 17 October

EMR Intermediate Boys Cricket

Friday 18 October

Year 10 Formal

Friday 1 November

Year 10 Immigration Museum Excursion

Monday 11 November

Year 9 Tasmania Camp (11 to 15)

Monday 25 November

Year 9 DOE Camp (25 to 28)

Monday 2 December

Year 10 Exams (2 to 5)

Friday 6 December

Year 9 Exams (Maths and English)

Thursday 12 December

Year 10 Awards Assembly (Period 1)

Year 9 Awards Assembly (Period 2)

2020 VET

Enrolment Forms

Students wanting to do a VET course for 2020, must return ENROLMENT FORMS, to the Careers Office no later than, Monday 9 September.

Unfortunately, if students do not return their form, we will not be able to place them in a VET course.

We’ve had a busy past few weeks with excursions, interviews and people coming in to talk to the students.

On Friday 16 August, a 'Coward’s Punch' victim, came and spoke to everyone about what the coward’s punch is and about Pat Cronin, who lost his life to a punch to the back of the head. The whole speech was very emotional and everyone took a lot out of it.

On Thursday 29 August, a group of Year 10 History students went to the Jewish Holocaust Museum to learn more intensely about how World War II impacted Jews and their lives today. The students were very lucky to hear from a survivor of the Holocaust. The excursion was very eye-opening and interesting to learn about.

Over the past few weeks, the Year 9s have been visiting Box Hill Tafe to learn about sustainable housing. Year 9s have also been doing Morrisbey Online Career Interviews.

On Thursday 19 September, we have Three Way Conferences. Interviews can be booked from Thursday 12 September on COMPASS.

Friday 20 September, is a Staff Professional Development Day, where students are not required at school.

We hope everyone is enjoying the sun and looking forward to the school holidays!

SCHOOL PRODUCTION - AIDA

As the 2019 School Production comes to an end for 2019, it is thrilling to say that it was definitely a major highlight of the year.

As we travelled through Ancient Egypt in the last week of August, many great and memorable memories were made. From the start of the year when auditions were held, to our final show of the year, a lot of exciting events occurred.

When the school held the Year 7 Information Evening in April, this was the first time the “Aida” cast performed one of their numbers to a crowd. Many hours were spent at school, whether if it was after school, holidays or weekend rehearsals, they were enjoyable to learn new songs and choreography.

When production week finally came around the corner, the cast and crew were extremely exhilarated. The first show was a tech run for the teachers and that was a phenomenal run, as everything went as planned. The next two shows were matinee shows for primary school students. Those two shows were also amazing!

When the final show took place on the Saturday night, that was the most energetic yet emotional show, as it was the Year 12’s last show and it was just a great show, which we didn’t want to be over.

Overall, it was a very successful and extraordinary show that we will definitely miss, but treasure those memories made for a lifetime.

Valentina Aloysius 9A and Molly Keyhoe 10M

Year 9 Food Studies - Prep Skills

Monday 26 August - Ms Knight's class

The Art of Baking assignment - Sponge Cakes

Year 9 Core Drama

Wednesday 28 August

Year 10

Holocaust Museum Excursion

Below are a few STUDENT REFLECTIONS from the excursion:

Ryan I: The Holocaust Centre was moving and informative. It showed what happened and had good displays. Hearing from a Holocaust survivor is something that pictures or movies, can’t describe and it was very sad.

Courtney M: I learnt most from Jack, who shared his experience as a survivor. The most shocking thing from Jack's story to me, was to hear that ships filled with Jewish people, were bombed by the English Air Force. That was quite a surprising thing to hear, since I've never heard anything about that.

Hannah N: Listening to Jack's story really made me feel quite emotional, talking about how he never got to say goodbye to his family or friends, how he worked days on end, tired and exhausted. His tattoo forever marked on his body, reminding him everyday of the tragedies he wishes to forget, watching innocent people forever being killed and never knowing if he may be next. Being stripped of his humanity and being told that from now on, he is only a number, not a name.

I can't even fathom what that would be like, never knowing if he'll spend the rest of his life in the dark depressing place, or whether he'd be killed, like his fellow prisoners.

His story was heartbreaking, confronting and deserves to be heard.

Abbie C: Listening to Jack's story was very interesting. I'm grateful that I was able to have a normal childhood and didn't have to go through what he went through. It's also made me realise how lucky I am, to be able to grow up with my family with me. I found it extremely sad, that Jack didn't get to say goodbye to his family as well.

Aleisha K: Going to the Jewish Holocaust Centre as a Year 10 History class. was an eye opening experience that allowed me to gain emotional attachment to what we have studied during class. Through this experience I gained more knowledge of how some risked their life for freedom and many that were treated like sheep, lead to the slaughter house.

Listening to Jacks story of survival, taught an important message to all, that we need to appreciate those who fought for freedom and those who continue to live, are all human beings that deserve equality, that is not based on religion, origin or wealth.

Walking around the Jewish Holocaust Centre, many primacy sources were displayed to be viewed by the public, acting as a window into the past, each piece was paired with the story of the item and how it affected, or how it was taken by present people. as evidence that the Holocaust happened.

The whole experience lead to an emotional day due to the background of my family. My great Nanna was apart of the Holocaust and so was her first husband and second husband.

Getting to learn more about the condition of how they lived and survived, was perfect to complete the picture. I have learnt many things first hand from my Nanna, about the Holocaust, but due to her getting old and overthinking the past, I am unable to ask questions about that time in her life. Hearing Jack's story also opened many questions that arise about my family history.

Having people like Jack that survived horrific times, are aspired to tell his story and inform people about the events leading to the most historical time.

Maggie P: Visiting the Jewish Holocaust Centre was an eye opening experience for me and all of the other students, along beside me. It was a totally different experience for me, because I don't have any family members that were in the Holocaust and don't have much of a connection to it, so I was happy to learn more about it.

I have never heard such an emotional and heartbreaking story before Jack's and although, it was extremely sad, I feel privileged that I was able to hear it. This is because it gave me a different look at the holocaust and helped me to better understand the true struggle, that so many people went through during this time.

I appreciate Jack's story and look up to him so much, because through all of the terrible experiences that he went through, he was still able to make it through it and live a long and fulfilled life.

His story allowed me to appreciate the fact that I live in a safe country free of war and prejudice; with a roof over my head and food in my belly. It helped me to feel a lot more grateful for the little things in life and taught me to be resilient through the hard times, no matter how difficult it might get. As well as this, I also discovered how horrible people can be to each other, with no reason. other than the fact that they are different to them. No one human should feel privileged enough to put another human through so much pain and torture, for their own personal gain and no matter how much you are told that something is right, you should know deep down, just how wrong some actions can be.

I was very moved by my experience and am glad, that I learnt so much and got something out of my experience. The messages that I have been taught, can be carried on to my friends and family, who can continue to tell the stories of the people in history, to ensure that they are never forgotten.