Middle Moments

New beginnings in Middle School

By Adrian Chiarolli Email this article

I feel very blessed to be welcomed into the Mercedes community and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to positively engage with our families as we make our way through the year together. Welcome also to our new families, and I trust your association with Mercedes College will be an exciting and enjoyable experience. As we begin a new year together, we undertake the year of Loyalty as we affirm the Mercy spirit, support each other and seek ways of being of service to our community.

Middle School Leaders and Home Group Teachers for 2022
I would like to introduce our new Middle School Home Group teachers this year: Sophie Brownwood (Year 7), Kathryn Yeates (Year 8), Sarah Kim (Year 8), Alice Healy (Year 9), Belinda Sziller (Year 9), and those our two new leadership roles: Matthew Andrigo, Year Level Leader in Year 7, and Josh Wigmore, Year Level Leader in Year 8. We also have David Carosi and Bell Hartley undertaking Year Level Leader roles for the first time in 2022 and welcome back Caroline Guirguis who is sharing a Home Group in Year 7. Rest assured student education is in good hands with these passionate professionals.

The Middle School structure at Mercedes College places significant importance on the pastoral care of students, with Home Group teachers playing a key role in monitoring student wellbeing by developing a good relationship with everyone. Home Group teachers are well placed to help students manage issues as they arise and are the first port of call for parent/caregivers.

Mercedes College Middle School Staff for 2022
Year 6: Dave Carosi – Year Level Leader
6BZ – Belinda Zieleniecki
6CO – Colleen O’Connell
6TB – Tanya Bahnisch

Year 7: Matthew Andrigo – Year Level Leader
7BG – Ilinca Bocse / Caroline Guirguis
7EM – Erin McPheat
7JA – Josh Archer
7LH – Logan Hill
7PB – Julia Penn / Sophie Brownwood

Year 8: Josh Wigmore – Year Level Leader
8DC – Daniel Caire
8KY – Kathryn Yeates
8LT – Lane Trenorden
8SK – Sarah Kim
8TN – Tame Ninos

Year 9: Bell Hartley – Year Level Leader
9AH – Alice Healy
9BS – Belinda Sziller
9DV – Damian Vahlis
9JG – Jimmy Grant
9LJ – Lachlan Jones

Transition and the Online Environment
For our Year 6 and 9 students, the first few days of schooling for 2022 started at home on their computer screens while our Year 7 and 8 students had the run of the Middle School campus. Our Year 6 and 9 students demonstrated adaptability to this format of learning by displaying an openness to learn, problem solving skills and having a genuine care for how they wanted to start the year. Thank you to our teachers who planned and conducted lessons online, providing vibrant and engaging learning whilst getting to know the students and building repour.

Middle School Parent Information Evening
In mid-February, we hosted our Parent Information Evening online. Teachers facilitated various Teams meetings with our families with Year Level Leaders and Home Group teachers discussing Middle School expectations, policies and procedures. Importantly, we also connected with families, providing an opportunity to put a face to a name. Information evenings are just one way we actively seek collaboration to enhance student learning and wellbeing.  At Mercedes College we prioritise connecting and collaborating with families as much as possible because we know it contributes to positive outcomes for our students.

Safer Internet Day
The Mercedes community joined the global initiative on Tuesday 8 February that brings families and schools together to raise awareness about online safety. The College used the Mercy Keys to help guide our students and families through our lives online.

Students were provided a family online safety contract to discuss with their parent/caregivers and this will help support open discussions about the importance of online safety and each student’s digital footprint.
The contracts and family pledges were sent to families via SEQTA direct Message, and we encourage you to discuss the importance of online safety and how individuals are represented in this environment.

Attendance
Consistent attendance is vital for academic success, pastoral care and the development of positive relationships. Research suggests that students who attend school regularly perform up to 50 per cent better than those who are regularly absent (Hattie, 2009).
That’s why, we encourage our families to support their child attend and to swiftly raise any issues or concerns with your child’s Home Group teacher.

Ben Dray
Head of Middle School