Middle School Report

by Mr Michael Busscher,  Director of the Middle School 

A huge thank you to all of the parents who attended our Middle School Parent Information Night in preparation for their son embarking on the Melbourne Experience in Week 2 of next term. It was a wonderful evening to get together and bridge any concerns parents had about this very different learning experience that their son is going to undertake in the not too distant future.

The following evening, with the support of the Year 9 Team of Pastoral Care Teachers we conducted the annual Year 9 Social with the girls from Loreto. Again, from all accounts the night was fantastic and enjoyed by all present.

This week, May 11 (Language Conventions and Writing), 12 (Reading) and 13 (Numeracy) saw all Year 9 students undertaking the last phase of their NAPLAN testing.

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual national assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. All students in these year levels are expected to participate in tests in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. NAPLAN tests assess student knowledge and skills in numeracy, reading, writing, spelling, punctuation and grammar. The results of the tests provide information for students, parents, teachers and principals about student achievement which can be used to inform teaching and learning programs. NAPLAN is the measure through which governments, education authorities, schools, teachers and parents can determine whether or not young Australians have the literacy and numeracy skills that provide the critical foundation for other learning and for their productive and rewarding participation in the community. The tests provide parents and schools with an understanding of how individual students are performing at the time of the tests. They also provide schools, states and territories with information about how education programs are working and which areas need to be prioritised for improvement. NAPLAN tests are one aspect of each school’s assessment and reporting process, and do not replace the extensive, ongoing assessments made by teachers about each student’s performance. NAPLAN tests the important skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life, such as reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy. The content of each test is informed by the Australian Curriculum. The Literacy tests are based on content in the English learning area, and the numeracy tests draw content from the mathematics learning area.

All Year 9 Boys will be attending the Year 9 Ssmart Assk Day: Tuesday June 15. This is conducted by Ballarat Community Health. Mr Anthony Meehan will also be introducing Morrisby Testing to the boys and they will complete their Beep Testing in preparation for the Term 4 Grampians Camp. The objectives include:

1.       To increase the knowledge of young people about:

a.       The risks of alcohol and other drugs in relation to binge drinking and unsafe partying

b.       The support and emergency services available in the community

c.        Basic first aid in a party situation

2.       To improve attitudes and behaviours of young people about adopting harm minimization strategies to keep them safe in party situations.

Presenters from the following organisations will be providing the break-out sessions.

Ballarat Community Health

Headspace Ballarat

Uniting Care

Victoria Police

St John Ambulance

Year 9 boys will be required to wear their PE Uniform on this day.

Finally, please remember that we will be undertaking our Middle School Mid-Year Examinations from Wednesday, June 16 until Friday, June 18.

Year 9 boys remain at school all day as normal scheduled classes will continue whenever an Examination is not being conducted.

 Mr Michael Busscher

Director of Middle School