Middle School Report  

In Term 3 we welcomed back our Assistant Sub School Leader, Ms Shona Cowell, from her family leave. Students returned and are working diligently in preparation for their semester examinations. Currently the Middle School Coordinators are conferencing with students and contacting parents regarding Year 10 progress reports. Early Term 4, selected Year 9 students attended their final ABCN Goals excursion and some Year 10 students attended a Work Inspiration Program.

ABCN Goals

Over the course of the year, eighteen Year 9 students participated in the 2018 ABCN Goals program where students were paired with corporate mentors who worked with them to develop a range of short and long-term goals. Launching with an on campus morning tea in Term 2, students then participated in five mentoring sessions, alternating between the offices of KPMG and Optus, both major players in their respective industries able to provide excellent insight into the students’ possible future working lives. 

The first session, taking place in June, focused on learning how to set goals, and recognising that there is more than one kind of success. The second session worked on building relationships and confidence and pushing outside the students’ comfort zones, and the third on productive communication, including various communication strategies and the impact of non-verbal communication. In the fourth session, mentors aided the students in identifying and recognising their own strengths, as well as the variety of strengths apparent in other students and mentors. 

The final session took place during week 2 of Term 4 and focused on introducing the Year 9 group to some of the key features of working life, including mock job interviews. Students and mentors also reflected on goals set and achieved through the program. This final session concluded with students giving presentations thanking their mentors and outlining the knowledge and insight they had gained. Participants also received certificates commemorating the work done with their mentors. The students spoke very positively about their experiences in the ABCN Goals program, citing insights provided by the industry leaders who became their mentors and greater or new aspirations for their future careers. Some students remarked that they would be interested in becoming mentors in the program themselves, some time down the road. The ABCN Goals program was, in short, highly successful, providing engaging and valuable experiences as well as inspiration to the participating students.

Work Inspiration

"...to do work of quality, we must have people of quality... it is up to us... to create an organisation which will allow gifted individuals to unfold..." - Ove Arup, 1970 - The Key Speech

Work Inspiration is an employer-led initiative providing students with opportunities to experience the world of work first hand in a meaningful and inspiring way. This was organised by our community partner The Smith Family and this year students from St Albans Secondary College worked on site at Arup, a leading engineering firm which has led the design and construction of major buildings and transport networks such as the Sydney Opera House and Marvel Stadium in Australia and several others around the world. Students attended a three day program where they did an activity to find out more about their personal qualities and the types of jobs they may suit, interviewed engineers from several different fields of engineering, designed a bridge and took a tour around the city looking at various buildings Arup had a hand in designing. Students thoroughly enjoyed their unique experiences.

"In Arup, I have gained a clearer understanding on the engineering industry. What I liked most about the program was talking to different engineers and getting to know more about their field of engineering and the projects they have worked on. It is a very rewarding program if you plan to become an engineer." - Jason Phuong 10A

"Going to Arup was a unique experience for me. We did various team-building activities, quizzes and interviewed many workers in Arup who spoke about their journeys in reaching the careers they are in today. We learnt a lot of things ranging from educational tips to life skills." - Thien Tran 10C

Ash Mana Mohan

Acting Middle School Sub School Leader