Welcome back to Term 2
Welcome back to all students, parents, and carers for Term 2!
This is always a high-energy period for the Middle School, packed with sports, excursions and production rehearsals to name just a few of the many and varied activities at the college.
Our Year 9 students are preparing for their first set of core subject exams, followed closely by the Explore Program. Meanwhile, our Year 10 students will also tackle exams before heading off for a week of Work Experience to close out the term. Finally, semester reports will be issued, providing a valuable roadmap for student progress and future learning goals.
Honouring Those Who Served
ANZAC Commemoration assemblies were held on both campuses on Friday 24 April, providing a meaningful opportunity to honour and respect all those who have served our country.
Remembrance matters because history shapes who we are – and reminds us of the values we carry forward. Major Sean Darbyshire offered a moving reflection on the ANZACs. College Principal Mrs Karen Wade spoke with great insight about the enduring meaning of the ANZAC spirit. It was also wonderful to hear students share their own reflections, demonstrating a genuine understanding of the significance of this day. The playing of the Last Post and Rouse by students further added to these assemblies.
The assemblies were confidently led by our student leaders – a proud reminder of the leadership qualities we nurture in our school community. A sincere thank you to Mr Tom Grant for organising the assemblies across both campuses, and to all staff who attended and supported the occasion.
“At the going down of the sun and in the morning — We will remember them.” Lest we forget.
Every day counts
Did you know:
- Patterns of late arrival at school or missing classes are early warning signs of disengagement?
- Missing one day of school each week adds up to two months per year?
- Each day of absence has an impact on skill development and important social connections
- Poor attendance may be associated with future unemployment, criminal activity, substance abuse, and poorer health and life expectancy?
Top tips:
- We want to work in partnership with parents – act early if you have any concerns by contacting your child’s school and asking for advice and support
- Remember that every day counts
- There is no safe number of days for missing school – each day a student misses puts them behind, and can affect their educational outcomes and their social connectedness
- Talk positively about school and the importance of attending every day
- Open and prompt communication with the school about all absences is a good idea
- Avoid making routine medical and dental appointments during the school day or planning family holidays during the term
- Seek help from the school if you are concerned about your child’s attendance and wellbeing. We want to work in partnership with parents to support student attendance and wellbeing.
Summer/Winter Uniform Transition
This week was the last week that students could wear the summer uniform. The expectation is from now on is that students are in full winter uniform, including ties. If a student is unable to be in full uniform, they should bring a note from home, report to the Middle School Office and obtain a uniform pass.
Holiday Works
Across the holiday period the ICT and Facilities Teams were busy improving the college.
If you see anything different from last term on campus, it’s the ICT, Facilities and College Projects that have made this happen!
ICT
Some of ICT Works undertaken included:
- Various server and switches updates and maintenance
- Software updates across a range of platforms
- Preparation work for move to Department Email system
- Reimage notebook trolleys/lab pcs where necessary
- Projector and TV maintenance and installation
- Printer maintenance and installation
- Installation of Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) units
- Staff and student account maintenance and deletions as required
- Reporting and Semester 2 Learning Task deployment
Facilities
The Facilities Team also worked hard across the break with the focus on the following:
- Vinyl replacement in P9 and 10
- Grounds’ maintenance – tree works and pressure cleaning across both sites
- Cleaning of gutters across the college
- Repair and reinstatement work in P11B
- Gas servicing across the college
- Door replacement works in JC Hall
- Theatre maintenance and test and tag
- Stainless steel works in SC canteen
- Painting works across both campuses
- Air conditioning installation across both sites
- Maintenance works by Tiger Turf JC Oval
- Vertical garden maintenance
- Managing the Fire Service Upgrade works
Special thanks to Mrs Wendy Middleton, the facilities team, and Aro and Andrew’s ICT team for working throughout the break to complete these works.
College Projects
Mr Mano Doray, our College Projects Manager, spent much of Term 1 planning a series of works scheduled for the holiday period. Once the break began, these plans moved into action.
Key projects included the installation of two Gaga pits at the Junior Campus, an upgrade of the JC Food Technology room with induction cooktops and new ovens and improvements to the Senior Campus Hall. The hall works involved installing new volleyball posts, as well as resurfacing and relining the floor to better support our PE programs.
Thanks to Mano for delivering these majors projects.
Mr Ian MacLeod
Campus Principal – Middle School