We have had a wonderful start to the year. Students have arrived with a willingness to begin with enthusiasm. This is my opportunity to introduce my self as the Acting Assistant Principal Middle Years. The restructuring of the College Leadership has provided for focus on this very important time in your child’s development. Assisting me in my position is Jodie Biggar who is the Middle Leader for Years 5 to 8. Working in partnership with us is a group of motivated and experienced teachers with the goal of making positive impacts on all children in their classes.

Your son or daughter will have been coming home talking about changes that are happening around the College. Some relate to the image of the College and how we are perceived by students, staff and the wider community. The boys have been instructed to have their shirts tucked in and their socks up; the phasing in of the predominantly black sport shoes during first term and the movement of the Year 9 cohort over to the Senior Plaza where their lockers are now situated. Changes in this area are more about habit and our students will adjust quickly. We are also developing our classroom practices.

We continue our push towards the full implementation of the “Visible Learning” strategies across the College. This mode of instruction is vitally important in the Middle Years when children are becoming young adults. The College has purchased and installed state of the art electronic boards in the classrooms. The capacity of these as teaching and learning tools will continue to become apparent as staff and students explore the capabilities of the technology. Connected with this area of advancement is the role out of the 1 to 1 Laptops in Years 7-12. This is a major step forward for teaching and learning as we truly move towards a digital classroom. The students have been excited to learn that the laptops they will be allocated are very well appointed with the latest technologies.

Students will have received their diaries in class yesterday. This, and the College website, are important avenues for students and parents to find out the various expectations that will impact the students during their time at school. If there is something that is unclear or you or your child is unsure of please contact their teacher. Please also contact me as the head of the Middle Years if the need arises.

I hope to meet you all during the year; the building of strong positive relationships between the College and home is very important. Open lines of communication are the key to creating an environment that is safe and productive. The start to the year has been excellent and the possibilities for the future look positive. Let’s have a great 2019 in the Middle Years.

Steve Gillespie

Acting Assistant Principal Middle Years.