MIDDLE SCHOOL MATTERS
Welcome Back to our Middle School families for the new school year!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year break, and we're thrilled to kick off an exciting 2025 filled with incredible opportunities for our students with our new College Principal, Ms Munro and a wonderful new school theme.
Our Year 8 and 9 students have made a fantastic start to the year, with many new and exciting experiences already on the horizon The Engage 9 program was officially launched for our Year 9 students led by Mrs Simic and Mr Woolan. It is set to provide our Year 9 students with an exceptional learning journey filled with self-challenges, exploration of Biblical values and discovering how they can embed them in their lives while growing closer to God. Their Coastal Camp begins in Week 5. Our Year 8 students will follow with their camp in Week 8, promising memorable experiences of team building and personal growth
Our Year 7 students had a wonderful, but busy, start to Middle School, beginning with their 3-day camp to Howqua River with a number of their teachers. It was a fun time intertwined with opportunities for trying new things, pushing comfort zones and splashing about on watersides and survivor-style activities. Their return to school and the classroom meant navigating lockers, timetables and of course, receiving their Chromebook Plus devices.
A reminder for Year 7 families who have yet to order their Chromebooks Plus, please ensure you do this as soon as possible. The Chromebook Plus Program is compulsory, and any other devices are not allowed to be bused. This will be especially important for NAPLAN, as these tests can only be conducted on a Chromebook. If any families are finding it difficult for financial or other reasons, please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss your needs.
In the coming weeks, we'll be hosting a New Family Connection session, where Home Group teachers and Directors of Learning will welcome new families and provide an opportunity to talk, get to know one another and share interests, concerns or learning needs.
We can't wait to see the amazing achievements and memories our students will create in the coming months. Here's to a fantastic year of learning, growth, and discovery!
Blessings,
Ms Jo Westland Director of Middle School Learning
UNIFORM REMINDERS
We appreciate students making an effort to wear the correct uniform each day and represent our College positively. To maintain College standards, and promote consistency in Middle School, students are reminded of the following:
Please wear the correct socks and shoes according to your uniform requirements Black socks are not permitted with the summer uniform or sports uniform.
The College Blazer is to be worn to and from school when the academic uniform is required. Blazers can be stored in the lockers throughout the day.
A maximum of one pair of plain gold or silver studs (3mm) or plain small sleepers (8mm) is permitted. No other jewellery is permitted, including rings, bracelets, and necklaces. Smartwatches with built-in cellular connectivity are not permitted on school grounds.
All students must wear the College hat outdoors during Terms 1 and 4
Clear nail polish on natural nails only. No acrylic (or similar) nails are permitted.
Hair at shoulder length or longer must be tied back, and all hair must be kept off the face.
Summer Dress Uniform: girls' summer dress and boys shorts must be knee-length.
For more details, please check the Uniform Policy excerpt in the 2025 Student Diaries or the College website. Parents will be contacted by Ms Westland if students are not complying with the dress code. Thank you for your cooperation!
NEW COLLEGE BAGS
Due to a change in suppliers, the College has introduced a new range of school bags with an updated design for improved comfort and durability. The existing College bags are still available for purchase through Academy Uniforms until stock runs out. Both designs meet the College uniform requirements (provided they DO NOT have the old "diving dove logo" that is now obsolete), and these are the only bags approved for student use at the College.
Please visit https://www.academyuniforms.com.au/ for more information.
VALUES AWARDS NOMINATIONS
Each week teachers are asked to nominate students who represent the College values of Humility, Integrity, Perseverance, Community, Grace, Service, Hope, Faith and Love. All nominated students will receive House points for their positive contributions and efforts as noted by their teachers. Award recipients are announced at the Whole School Assembly each fortnight (Monday Week A).
COLLEGE CAR PARK PROCEDURES, RULES, TIMES AND ZONES
With over 350 families accessing the College car park during drop-off and pick-up times every day, it is important that families follow all directional signage in and around the car park, including instructions from staff. Some quick reminders:
The maximum speed in the car park is 10km/h, but the safety of students, parents, visitors and staff should dictate the speed of cars at all times
Entry to the car park is via the main car park only between 8:00am – 9:30am and 2:30pm – 4:00pm.
The oval car park driveway is exit only between 8:00am – 9:30am and 2:30pm –4:00pm.
Please collect your children from the designated gates if you are using the drivethrough pick-up option:
3:05pm: All Worthy Warriors need to be collected from the Main Gate
3:05pm: All Noble Knights need to be collected from the Oval Car Park
3:15pm: All Courageous Conquerors need to be collected from the Oval Car Park. Primary School students must not walk through the car park unless they are accompanied by a parent, carer or Secondary School sibling McLeans Road has “No Standing” signs along parts of the road during school times –these restrictions are enforced by the City of Whittlesea and are not drop-off or pickup zones.
Cars must always give way to pedestrians walking on the footpath of McLeans Road. When exiting the car park, please stop at the gate and ensure the path is clear of pedestrians before exiting – whether they are students or members of the public. In addition, please do not approach staff on car park duty to discuss any student issues that have arisen during the day as this impacts their ability to perform their car park duty Instead, contact staff via SEQTA to make an appointment to discuss any issues that you have so that you can have their full attention.
If you have any questions regarding the car park rules and procedures, please contact us at the College
UPCOMING EVENTS
Whole School Photo Day:
The Whole School Photo Day is on Wednesday 12th February. Students are reminded to wear their FULL Summer uniform, including the College Blazer
Please take note of the Uniform reminders above to ensure you are photo-ready on the day
Sibling photos will be taken on Thursday 20th February, and orders can be made directly through SchoolPix.
SchoolPix Order Forms sent home earlier this week included the INCORRECT Job Number. The correct Job Number is 26092 followed by the Unique ID (correct SchoolPix student ID) that is included in the SchoolPix Order forms sent home.
Daniel Principe Workshops for students and Parent information night:
Tuesday 4th March: Year 7 Workshops 9:00am - 12:45pm.
Tuesday 4th March: Parent Information Night 6:30pm - 7:00pm
Thursday 6th March: Years 8 - 9 Workshop 8:55am - 10:35pm
Year 9 Coastal Camp:
As part of the Engage 9 program, Year 9 students will camp in tents and experience an exciting outdoor activity program. Invitations have been sent via Consent2Go. Please check your inbox for the email, and confirm attendance as soon as possible. Signed Student/Parent Contracts are to be handed to Homegroup teachers, and all medication plans and medicines are to be handed directly to Reception.
Year 8 Summit Camp:
Another exciting camping opportunity, this time for our Year 8 students Stay tuned for more information
2026 Prep Enrolments close soon:
Applications for Prep 2026 close on Friday 21st February 2025 Children born between 1st January 2020 – 30th April 2021 are eligible to apply. Families with a child at Northside are encouraged to apply by the deadline to ensure a place for younger siblings. Applications can be made via the College website with a birth certificate or passport. For any questions, please call the Enrolments team on 9467 2499.
