Parent Communication
The recent Funfest and Parent Teacher conferences have been great opportunities for our teachers to chat both informally and formally and connect with parents. These are ultimately to work together to help our young people realise their full potential. If you were unable to make the conferences but would still like to have a chat with any of your child’s teachers, please contact them by email to arrange a meeting, they would be more than happy to find a time to meet with you. Email is a great way to communicate with teachers any time. Please remember the Pastoral Care teacher of your child is the best ‘first point of contact’ for most concerns that are not specifically related to a subject.
What’s been happening around the Middle School?
Wildlife Warriors
Middle School students conducted a small fundraiser at the end of last term and raised $175.00 for endangered marine animals from a humble cupcake sale. Several leaders and 2 Year 8 students delivered the donation to the Wildlife Warriors Hospital last week and were given a tour of this important and worthwhile service. Being caretakers of the world we live in is a God-given mandate and it was great to see students organise this fundraiser of their own initiative.
Winners
Did you hear that Sinai won the Athletics Carnival last term – what a team!
Congratulations to another great win from Holly Lubcke in Mountain bike riding placing first at the Bayview Blast for U13-U19 Women’s 50km Half Marathon
Well done Middle School Drama students with two teams winning bronze at the recent Sunshine Coast Drama Festival.
Congratulation also goes to our Middle School Dance Troupe who received a Highly Commended in the Gympie Dance Eisteddfod – considering the other teams were Dance studios this is a great result for them!
Year 9 Subject and Careers Info Night
On Thursday night, Year 9 students and their families were presented with information regarding Year 10 for 2017. Topics of discussion were subject options for Senior School, pathways to achieving a Queensland Certificate of Education, timetable structures and changes in 2017, and finally, the changes to the senior assessment and tertiary entrance systems. Year 9 students will be sent a subject selection survey by email regarding their subject preferences for 2017. The information collected from this survey will allow the formulation of Year 10 subject lines that best suit this cohort’s subject preferences. If you’re a Year 9 parent, please ensure that you attend to this survey promptly with your child.
Healthy Living
Recently a Year 10 student spoke to the Year 7s on the topic of Anxiety and Depression. She prepared this as a part of a Year 10 project and had her presentation approved by both the Year 7 Year Level Coordinator and Head of Middle School. Whilst giving some relevant and down to earth facts on understanding the issues of anxiety or depression; the second half of her presentation was to assist students in knowing how to best address these issues and access good support, (seeking the help of a trusted adult and/or possibly professional help was vital). I encourage you to ask your child about this presentation and their thoughts on these issues.
Coming up in Middle School
Understanding your teenager presentation by Heidi Langley (counsellor)
A manual is not delivered at the birth of your child and as parents and teachers; we don’t always intuitively have all the right answers. Our new school counsellor will be presenting the first of several sessions on information that you may find helpful in understanding your teenager or perhaps it will reveal a few ‘Aha’ moments that may help you realise: you are not alone; or, your child is not that different to other teenagers; or, allow you to gain a few new insights and encouragement on how to help your child transition into adulthood. You would have been sent an email regarding this event for this coming Wednesday night if you haven’t RSVP’d and would still like to go, late attendees are welcome. Cost is $10.00/family – paid at the door.
Important Dates and Details of Special Note
- Wednesday 10 August Understanding Your Teenager – Parent session
- Monday 22 August Book Week – Monday Book Character Assembly
- Wednesday 24 August Relax and Read – casual dress day for Middle school
- Monday 29 August Islander Day – Fiji Mission fundraiser – casual dress day
- Friday 16 August Middle School Messy Games (last day of term)
- Friday 14 October Middle School Experience morning (for Year 6 students only)
- Tuesday 8 November Awards Night COMPULSORY EVENT FOR ALL STUDENTS IN YEAR 7 – 12. 6:30pm at Caloundra Events Centre.
Jacqualina Vreeling, Head of Middle School