Welcome
Welcome to our new look Braemar Buzz.
Welcome to our latest publication! As we reflect on the past semester, we’ve been evaluating the time and effort required to create more significant pieces of communication compared to the interactivity and look and feel of social media posts. Our new-look Buzz will eventually be a compilation of all the articles that will appear over the coming weeks.
This week, we hear from our Heads of School, who outline how the semester has been progressing at a school-based level. Each of the schools is different; for example, all of our Senior Schoolers have completed their EXEAT Week program, while only one year level, Year 7, in our Middle School has completed their experience.
A component of the feedback I received as part of my Coffee Shop Catch-ups confirmed that a school-based focus was warranted to highlight the exciting learning environments. There will be articles from teachers and leaders about initiatives and cross-campus activities, but they will be in future articles.
In the meantime, I’ll leave the rest of the storytelling up to our Heads of School: Mr Rob Jenkins (Middle School) and Ms Lisa Fritz (Senior School).
Thank you for being part of our community, and we hope you enjoy this edition of our newsletter!
Mr Russell Deer Principal
“Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny.”
As we move towards the end of Semester 1, students in the Middle School continue to embrace the broad range of opportunities that are presented to them each day. In addition to the engaging learning that takes place in their classrooms, experiences beyond traditional environments that offer opportunities for students to refine a range of skills form highlights of the year so far.
Throughout 2024, our Middle School community has focused on speaking to the College values in action, particularly focusing on respect, kindness, community and leadership whilst also identifying the importance of effort in our endeavours. A highlight of Term 1 was welcoming students from Shibuya Junior High School in Tokyo to the Middle School. They shared 2 weeks of learning and engagement with students and formed connections that will continue to be forged into the future.
The Year 5 cohort have adapted to the transition to a new school with great success and developed the foundations of connection that will span the next 8 years at the College. Coming to terms with the design of the Middle School program, where they are connected to their core teachers but navigate the environment in a mode that is more reflective of secondary schooling, has been a positive experience. Whilst there is still much more learning to take place in 2024, they have set themselves on a course for success in Semester 2.
In Year 6, students co-created a statement about their mission and purpose before formulating a shared understanding of the College values in practice. This framing will help students to understand how they can positively influence others in their interactions as well as strive to achieve their personal goals in their learning.
The dynamic environment of Year 7 has brought together students who are new to the College with many who have been a part of the Middle School for some time. After spending the early weeks of the year on experiences such as Exeat, they continue to show care and compassion for each other in their learning and engagement around campus. Our other cohorts will be eagerly anticipating their Exeat experiences in Semester 2 to a range of different locations around Victoria.
The Experiential Program for Year 8 has provided students with access to facilitate real-world applications of their learning. Throughout Term 2, students designed projects that responded to real needs of members of the broader community around physical and mental health. The solutions that they developed ranged from websites, student-led activities, podcasts, posters, apps and a myriad of other responses. These experiences have helped students understand a project-based approach to their learning that will be transferred to future projects in Semester 2.
Alongside the normal daily experiences for our students, we have paused to recognise a range of different important movements including Harmony Day, Earth Day, Do it For Dolly Day and IDAHOBIT Day. These days of reflection attempt to broaden the perspective of our young people and develop a sense of empathy for other members of our diverse communities
Mr Rob Jenkins Head of Middle SchoolAs we progress through the semester, the focus within the Senior School remains steadfast on student engagement, progression and skill development. We simultaneously focus on building resiliency, reflection and balance in all students leading to exemplary personal outcomes. The Year 9 students have settled into the routines of Senior School and their subjects. Their curiosity and dedication to their work throughout the semester demonstrate their capability and focus across their coursework. Many Year 10 students have also embarked on the VCE pathway accelerated subjects and are nearing the completion of their first unit. This experience allows students to experiece firsthand the focus and determination needed within the VCE program. In Term 3, Years 9 and 10 students will participate in alternative weeks focused on skills beyond the classroom. The Year 9 City Week program moves the classroom to the city, and students are actively planning for and designing part of their week and program. In the same week our Year 10 students will undertake Life Skills Week, focusing on job skills, financial literacy, social awareness and safety, VCE and Pathway planning alongisde tertiary and TAFE visits. More detailed information will be provided to students, parents, and guardians in the coming weeks.
Our Year 11 and 12 students are approaching the end of Units 1 and 3 respectively. They are managing the increased workload that comes with VCE subjects and balancing academic requirements alongside the celebration of traditional College events, such as the Year 11 College Ball and the Year 12 Formal. These events allow students to develop social skills, create lasting memories, and build a sense of community. Year 11 students are considering and exploring post-secondary pathways, whether that be university, vocational education, or entering the workforce through the VCE careers expo. The opportunities presented within the College allow students to demonstrate their progression and growth and ensure their pathways lead them towards their goals. Year 12 students are in a critical phase of their VCE journey. They are managing their time to balance study and personal well-being while, exploring post-secondary pathways, whether university, vocational education, or the workforce. Support is provided through university information sessions and all Year 12 students will shortly again commence career counselling sessions. The opportunities awarded within the College equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for their next steps in life.
Students have been asked to focus on demonstrating a growth mindset this semester and have been encouraged to regularly seek the support they need from those around them to assist with this. This includes reflecting on how, as students, they overcome obstacles and challenges, planning and allocating their efforts, whilst learning from experiences both within and beyond the academic sphere. Finally, within the Senior School, we have been actively focusing on demonstrating the college values and how these are applied and practised. The College leaders have balanced this approach with a focus on gratitude and encouraged all students to take the time to find positivity every day in all our interactions on the Senior School campus.
Ms Lisa Fritz Head of Senior School
