Middle Moments

Inspiring young leaders

By Ben Dray Email this article

Including a VIP visit and the culmination of amazing programs.

An Excellent Visit
This Term, a group of our Middle and Senior School students had the opporutnity to spend time with the Governor of SA, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, learning about her leadership journey and generously answering their questions.

"Her Excellency shared some of her significant life lessons taken from over her life. She spoke to us about her experiences leading up to her being appointed as Governor and how those experiences helped her to become a great leader."

"It was fascinating to hear about her journey and how leadership has impacted both her personal life and her career and we are sure lots of us took home many things to implement into our own way of leading. Some valuable things we learnt included teamwork and the importance of that when leading, listening to others’ ideas and opinions, trusting everyone including yourself, persistence, respect, the importance of enjoying what you do, and that it is never too late to learn."

"The Governor mentioned how she was not a ‘natural leader’ when she was younger, but she had a willingness to be open to new challenges and to get the absolute best out of herself, which helped her progress throughout her career. This ability to be a lifelong learner, and always have the desire to become better at what she did was what helped Her Excellency get to the position she is in today."

"It was a fascinating experience hearing what she had to say, and we all learnt a lot."

Middle School Leaders, Annabelle Phillips, Ava Barton, Sam Doan, and Thomas Stirling.

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Break Free 
The Year 9 Break Free Programs saw many students taking up the opportunity to participate, exploring explore and challenge gender stereotypes, expectations, and misconceptions. 

The girls engaged in discussions about body image, self-esteem and the effects of the media, while the boys deconstructed some of the contradictory expectations placed on young men and using conversation to empower them moving forward.

Both programs culminated with a camp in Week 9, where groups solidified their bonds, and finalised the work they have been doing together.

Thank you to everyone invovled in delivering these programs, that run outside of school hours, and those who helped with camps including Damian Vahlis, Bell Hartley, Lachlan Jones, Daniel Caire, Logan Hill, Nathan Holdinghausen, Tamae Ninos, Lane Trenorden, and Rebecca Sharpe.

Feeback about these programs continues to be overwhelmingly positive and there is no doubt that each of these gender specific 'safe spaces' offers students a valuable, worthwhile and relevant experience. 

"Break Free was a memorable camp; from turning on each other in paintball to coming together on the beach for a soccer tournament. It was a maturing experience that formed new friendships and helped evolve certain skills. It was a great camp and I highly recommend this to any girl wanting to get out of their comfort zone.
Tilly Petty  

"Being Boys had so many great things to experience. Our weekly sessions would start with talking, laughing, connecting and communicating in a shared safe space and we grew as young men and valued the time together. It was refreshing to be able to have a chat with my peers about how I was feeling, and life in general, as it took some weight of my shoulders helped immensely. I recommend it highly."
ames Bafile

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Semester 1 Report 
As another Semester draws to a close, students eagerly await the winter break and look forward to a well-deserved rest much-needed leisure time. The Semester 1 Report serves as a comprehensive summary of your child's progress so far this year, encapsulating their achievements, areas of improvement, and overall growth.  

End-of-Semester Reports highlight the achievements and milestones reached by students. They serve as a testament to hard work, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence. Celebrating these achievements boosts a child's self-esteem and encourages them to continue striving for success. For both children and families, receiving positive feedback and recognition for accomplishments is highly motivating.

This Report also provides a basis for setting new goals and objectives for the upcoming academic Term. With a clear understanding of a child's progress, families can work together to establish realistic and attainable targets. These goals serve as a roadmap for continuous improvement and create a sense of purpose and direction in a child's academic endeavors. 

I hope during this Term break families enjoy spending extra time together, and I look forward to seeing you again at the beginning of Term 3, re-energised and ready to progress with learning in the second half of the year.

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Ben Dray
Head of Middle School