Great Scot April 2019 Great Scot_156_April_2019_Online | Page 22

Middle School
Ms Katrina Stalker – Head of Middle School
Tuned in to the voices of
our Middle School boys
MS KATRINA STALKER
HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL
Starting in Senior School is a great opportunity for
boys to make a fresh start and put behind them any
difficulties they may remember from primary school.
With the support of the Coordinator of Transition,
Scotch’s form teachers smooth the way for our Year 7s
as they transition into Senior School life.
Change can be difficult — at times boys need
help with the transition, while others hit the ground
running. The work the form teachers do with the boys
on resilience and respect throughout the year develops
their ability to cope confidently with new situations,
and this continues through Year 8.
For some boys Year 8 can be challenging, as
friendships are tested and school work intensifies, as
expectations are raised. The support the Year 8s receive
from teachers who know them well from Year 7 helps
greatly in the transition process.
Although not without some hiccups, the process
of splitting the Year 8s between their academic classes
while maintaining their pastoral class with the form
teacher overseeing their academic care, is working well.
The success of this process is due in great part to the
capable work of the form teachers who have stepped up
to this new role enthusiastically and with great care for
the boys.
At Year 7 camps, lifelong friendships are launched.
This year the weather was unusually cool for the first
camp, but improved during the remaining camps.
Sailing was a highlight for many boys, as they ventured
out past the Cowes pier, while others caught their
first-ever waves on a boogie board at YCW Beach.
Competition was fierce in mini-golf, with teachers
striving to beat the boys — usually without success. The
boys challenged themselves on the high ropes course,
and one of the favourite activities was the table tennis
competition held at night within form groups.
With the new systems in place we have started
the year listening very carefully to the voices of our
Years 7 and 8 boys. School Captain, Nick Marks, has
run meetings with representatives from each of the
Middle School forms, seeking their ideas on school
issues, particularly those affecting Middle School.
These meetings will continue throughout the year
with different boys representing their forms each term.
Just as important as giving the young boys a forum for
their voices to be heard is the opportunity these forums
provide for them to gain experience in leadership. The
quality of the opinions expressed in these meetings has
been impressive, with constructive ideas that will shape
the future decision making.
YEAR 7 BOYS AT CAMP
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Great Scot Number 156 – April 2019