Middle Moments

Reflecting on a semester completed

By Ben Dray Email this article

Some highlights from our busy start to 2022

Semester 1 Report 
In recent weeks, Middle School students been finishing their assessment tasks and teachers have been finalising grading for end of semester reports.

The Semester 1 Report includes a detailed academic summation for the end of Term 2 which provides students with the levels attained in each criterion, and a grade (1-7) for each subject. Home Group teachers supplement the academic report with a summary pastoral comment.

During the break, please talk with your child about their report, and reflect together on the learning undertaken so far this year.

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Online Safety 
An essential aspect of global citizenship in the 21st century is to be safe online. At school, we have regular discussions with students around making safe choices about their online reputation and positive interactions with peers. We understand the continued need for us to support our families and College community to use technology safely in all aspects of their lives.

Focusing on the Mercy Value of Mutual Respect, we encourage our students to: 

• Treat others as they want to be treated online; always using care and respect in order to be a good online citizen. 

• Never use their device to bully, intimidate, or upset someone. Respect other’s digital property and space. 

• Before sending a photo or video of themselves or others, think about how they would feel if parents, teachers, or peers saw it. If in doubt, don’t send it.  

• Talk with parents and teachers about what they are doing online. 

• Help to create a culture of digital respect at school and among their peers. 

I recommend eSafetyparents, a great resource for advice about helping children have safe experiences online. There's also an eSafety guide that includes helpful information about the latest apps and games, and how to report abusive content. 

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Year 9 Break Free and Being Boys Programmes 
In Week 9 a number of students embarked on the Break Free and Being Boys Camps.

In the Break Free Programme, there were great discussions about issues, inlcuding body image, self-esteem, and the media. The programme aims to challenge some of the ideas the media presents about and enables our students to make further connections with each other.

In the Being Boys programme, students are provided opportunities to deal with their journey into manhood both positively and respectfully. The programme aims to deconstruct some of the contradictory expectations being placed on young men in today’s society, and empower them through the use of conversation and coping strategies. 

Both camps were hugely successful and the students gained a greater understanding of themselves and others. A special thanks to Sarah Hartlett and Damian Vahlis for their strong commitment to our Year 9 students in coordinating these programmes effectively.

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I hope the term break enables families to enjoy spending extra time together, and I look forward to seeing the students again at the beginning of Term 3, re-energised and ready to progress with their learning in the second half of the year.  Have a safe and well-deserved break. 

Ben Dray
Head of Middle School