Middle School Report

by Mr Michael Busscher, Director of the Middle School 

In the final Crest report for this term, I would like to acknowledge everyone’s efforts in dealing with Remote Learning and the myriad of issues that arise with teaching and learning occurring in an online environment. Also, looking ahead, we are hoping that all Year 9 students will be able to attend their Term 4 Rite Journey experience at the Norval Camp facility in Halls Gap from Wednesday, November 3 to Friday, November 5. During the camp the boys will participate in a number of challenging physical experiences including hiking, rock climbing, abseiling, high ropes and conservation work, which will be conducted by Norval staff and assisted by St Patrick’s College staff. Boys will have the opportunity of selecting their own level of challenge ranging from all day challenge activities including two nights out in the Grampians camping; down to two smaller hikes and sleeping in cabins for two nights. This element of individual choice will never have been experienced on a school camp ever before and it is one that helps solidify an individual students Rite Journey experience. To assist with the selection process all boys will be completing the Beep Test, which provides some indication of a boys level of aerobic fitness.

Objectives of the camp:

• To conclude the boy’s Rite Journey experience.
• To promote healthy natural environments to our boys.
• To encourage an appreciation of the natural environment, and to educate our boys about caring for our national parks.
• To encourage the benefits of team work and being a member of a community.
• To continue to develop leadership in our boys.
• To provide opportunities to build relationships between staff and students and students and students.
• To develop concepts of personal challenge and adventure in each boy’s life.

Term 4 will also see the final Middle School Examinations running from Monday, November 29 until Friday, December 3 which will also include the Year 9 Graduation Ceremony running from 2.10 until 3.25pm in the Pavilion.

 

“No act of kindness is ever wasted.” Aesop

In 2022 The Middle School Community Service Program will be continuing as part of the Middle School timetable.

Community service is when you work for free to the benefit of your community rather than yourself. In our modern world, we need to consider community service not only as a local opportunity but, one that has the potential to recognise and meet global needs.

The St Patrick’s College Middle School Community Service Program will have many positive effects on our students including helping them to develop their listening and communication skills, making contacts with members of the wider Ballarat community, and allowing students to support and further others in need. By engaging in community service, the Middle School Community Service Program will provide our students with the opportunity to become active members of their community and it will have a lasting, positive impact on society at large. Most notably, the Middle School Community Service Program will enable our students to acquire life skills and knowledge, as well as provide a service to those most in need.

My scenario in 2022 looks like this: I will have approximately 125 Year 9 boys, on a Wednesday afternoon once a fortnight and on a Tuesday afternoon the alternative week between 1.45/2.00pm until 3.30; available as boy power to undertake Community Service placements throughout the Ballarat region. Clearly, I am not short of boy power, but I do need places for the boys to do their good work. This is where I need your help. If we can be of any assistance to your organisation or contacts that you have, perhaps we could even expand or start new projects now that some “boy power” has become available, I would love to hear about them and see what partnerships we can form. Please contact me on 5322 4429 or mbusscher@stpats.vic.edu.au

As always, I hope that everyone has a safe and relaxing holiday period and return looking forward to a successful Term 4 and the completion of their time in the Middle School.

Mr Michael Busscher

Director of Middle School