It has been another wonderful few weeks in Middle School, with our students embracing opportunities to step outside their comfort zones, try something new and contribute to the life of our community.
Our Year 9 students recently returned from an action-packed five-day Melbourne experience, with 24 students and three staff exploring the city and beyond. The trip included a visit to , where students visited both Haileybury Keysborough and Haileybury City, with the opportunity to connect with students and staff. Students also enjoyed experiences at Phillip Island, Melbourne CBD, the State Library and ACMI. While the destinations were certainly memorable, it was the growth we saw in our students that was most rewarding. Travelling together, navigating new environments and representing our school away from home provided a wonderful opportunity for students to demonstrate independence, responsibility and maturity.
For our Year 7 students, three nights camping in Litchfield East provided a very different kind of adventure. Outdoor Education experiences such as this are an important rite of passage in the Middle School years. Being away from home, sleeping in tents, working together and taking responsibility for themselves and one another can be both challenging and exciting. For many students, it represents a significant moment of independence and there is something particularly special about watching students return with a little more confidence in themselves and a greater appreciation for what they are capable of.
We have also recently introduced our new Culture of Learning Award, which recognises students who demonstrate the attitudes and behaviours that contribute to a positive culture of learning. The award celebrates qualities such as curiosity, persistence, engagement, responsibility and a willingness to support others. We are excited to see this become an important part of recognising the many ways our students contribute positively to our classrooms and wider Middle School community.
There have also been some wonderful examples of courage on display. During our World's Greatest Shave event, one student surprised us all by spontaneously volunteering to shave their head on the spot. It was a wonderful moment of bravery and generosity, and a reminder that courage sometimes looks like being willing to do something unexpected, uncomfortable or a little bit scary for a purpose greater than ourselves. We were incredibly proud to see that courage in action.
Finally, our Twilight Concert provided a beautiful opportunity to come together as a community. On a perfect evening in the Quad, students shared their musical talents through a wonderful selection of ensembles and choirs, culminating in a performance from our very own staff choir. There was something particularly special about sitting outdoors together, listening to our students perform and celebrating the creativity and talent within our community.
Across all of these experiences, a common thread has emerged: growth happens when we give young people opportunities to step forward. Whether camping under the stars, navigating a new city, performing on stage, trying something courageous or simply contributing positively to the culture around them, our students continue to show us that Middle School is about so much more than what happens in the classroom.
We are incredibly proud of the way our students continue to embrace these opportunities and we look forward to seeing where they step next.
Katherine Ziebell
Head of Middle School
