MIDDLE SCHOOL
MS KATRINA STALKER HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL
RESILIENCE ,
MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS STAY CONNECTED , ENGAGED AND MOTIVATED
COOPERATION AND ENERGY
YEAR 8 CAMP PROVIDES A VARIETY OF OPPORTUNITIES
In this roller-coaster year , the Middle School boys rose to the difficulties with great resilience , cooperation and energy , as we went in and out of lockdowns . The lessons learned from 2020 of making and keeping connections with friends during these times stood the boys in good stead . Learning to manage their screen time and to exercise outside with a friend were strongly encouraged . To lift spirits , there were online cooking classes and Kahoots , Trivia and Strava competitions between forms , organised by the School Prefects .
We were pleased that the Year 8 Camp was able to proceed early in Term 2 . There was much excitement among the boys as they headed off for their week of adventure , and even the rain didn ’ t dampen the boys ’ enjoyment of being in the great outdoors .
The boys white-water rafted , cycled and hiked . Some were introduced to camping in two-man tents for the first time , while others were already old hands at this experience . They visited Toolangi near the state forest , where they tried their hand at create staking and rock climbing , and tested their nerve on the high ropes course .
While at the camp , the boys spent time with the Man Cave organisation , which gave the boys the opportunity to explore how their peers had coped during the preceding year ’ s lockdowns , and how they handled the trials they faced .
The Indigicate education company took the boys on a walk through the Chum Creek forest , where they learned to weave bracelets and baskets from plants , while listening to storytelling by the Indigenous leaders . The camp was certainly character building in the wet conditions , but on the whole the boys enjoyed it and learned much from their experiences .
Our pastoral care program continues to evolve with the changing face of the world . The online world was explored through a presentation by our Police Liaison Officer to the Year 7 boys , while the Year 8s heard from Brett Lee , ex-Federal Police officer , on how to keep themselves safe in this ever increasing digital world . Parents tuned in to a webinar from Brett Lee , who gave insights on what the boys are able to access and how to help their sons manage this fast-moving environment .
After some successful workshops last year led by the Elephant Ed organisation , we have expanded the number of workshops this year for Year 8 , with the first workshop towards the end of Term 2 . The presenters tackled the often difficult topic of pornography through an age-appropriate lens . Project Rockit , presented to the Year 7s , tackled the issues of online bullying and harassment , and encouraged the boys to stand up for their friends and peers , and to call out any poor behaviour they see .
The Form Teachers share in all aspects of the pastoral care program with the boys , enabling followup throughout the year . Particularly during lockdowns , the teachers provide a caring and supportive environment , concentrating on keeping the boys engaged , motivated and connected to their school .
Our inter-form competitions have continued during the year , despite interruptions . In public speaking , Austen Wayne took out the Year 8 competition , speaking about ‘ An incredible discovery ’, and Joshua Carter won the Year 7 competition with the topic ‘ A story that matters ’. Bart Leeton ( Year 7 ) and Sam Allen ( Year 8 ) won their respective inter-form cross country running competitions .
14 Great Scot Issue 163 – September 2021