Head of Middle School

Middle School

During 2007 Trinity’s Middle School has continued its strong focus on relationships. Where possible, students are being taught by their Pastoral Care teacher for a subject and Heads of Year 8 and 9 have guided their students with wisdom and care for each individual.

Mrs Kerrie Fraser This focus on relationships

Head of Middle School has also extended to staff members with a high level of communication between members of the Middle School Council and a continued fostering of the link between Middle and Junior School. Parents are important members of the Trinity Community and great effort has been made to keep communication between home and school as a priority.

Faith Development

Faith Development is one of the guiding pillars of the College and continues to flourish in the Middle School thanks to the commitment of Father McMahon, members of Campus Ministry and the Religious Education team. The Year 8 students once again experienced the powerful Quest Retreat and made connections with their Year 11 ‘older brothers’. The Year 9 Galilee Retreat was also very successful where students are challenged to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. Year level masses occurred each term and a great deal of effort was made by Mr Gerard Theseira and Mrs Colleen Wheeler to ensure that students were well-prepared for these celebrations. A highlight of the year for many students is their involvement with Christian Service. This provides them with the opportunity to express their faith through action. The Year 8 focus is on family and this is extended to the broader community in Year 9.

Academic Excellence

Promoting academic excellence is a major aim of the College and a number of teams are working to improve what is done to assist students achieve their potential. In Year 8 Science and Mathematics some classes moved at an accelerated pace through the course work and devoted time each week to extension activities with a focus on problem solving. English, by its very nature, allows for each student to work at the level appropriate for them. Society and Environment is also very challenging enabling students to respond at different levels on the same task. There has been planning for some cross-curricular links between English and Society and Environment for 2008 and this will extend students and assist them to make connections between the learning areas. This focus on extending students will continue throughout Middle School in 2008 and further development of programs will occur. Students often struggle with organising their homework and study program. To assist students with this challenge all Year 8 students were provided with a Study Planner and support booklet at the start of the year. Teachers make reference to this resource and it has been followed up in Pastoral Care lessons and Year 8 assemblies. The Planner can be used by these students next year because it is laminated and information can be erased. The transition between Junior and Senior School continues to be an area of importance. Planning has begun to assist with the movement of Year 7 students from Junior to Middle School. The Library has continued to foster the development of literacy with Ms Luciana Cavallaro’s very successful reading program for Middle School students. Mrs Nicole Davey has also contributed to the literacy focus with competitions encouraging students to submit book reviews and also to write poetry. The College is committed to improving students’ literacy skills and the work done by the Library staff supports this aim.

Pastoral Care

Caring for each student as an individual is the aim of our Pastoral Care system at Trinity. Heads of School, Heads of Year, Pastoral Care teachers, Learning Area teachers, Father McMahon, the College counsellor and sport coaches work together to provide the best support possible for each student. 2007 has been the final year for data collection as part of our involvement in the Supportive Schools Project with its focus on transition to secondary school and bullying prevention. Trinity’s Student Diary is another method used to support students. This is a vital means of communication between home and school and allows careful monitoring of students’ progress at the College. Students have enjoyed many activities throughout the year that build their confidence and ability to socialise with others. The Year 9 dancing classes with Mercedes were very successful and Year 8 students enjoyed a picnic and social at the Morley Rollerdrome. All of these activities, combined with retreats, camps and excursions, help build social skills and acceptance of self.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the many people who have not only shown a high level of commitment to the students but have also provided me with a lot of support. Mr Andrew Osnain, Head of Year 8 and Mr Bobby Emmanuel, Head of Year 9 have been excellent role models for their students and ensured that the boys are given the necessary assistance to focus on their study and to feel happy in a safe and caring environment. Both Heads of Year have been supported by dedicated Pastoral Care teachers who have provided the students with daily care. The Middle School Council has worked hard throughout the year to ensure that the curriculum and Pastoral Care needs of students are met. Mrs Teresa Greenfield continues to provide me with support in her quiet and efficient manner. I would also like to thank the many parents I have had contact with throughout the year for their support of the College. It has been an eventful, busy year with careful nurturing of our Middle School students. I look forward to building on the good work done over the past years in 2008.