Middle School Report

by Mr Michael Busscher,  Director of the Middle School 

A huge thank you to all of the parents who attended our Middle School Parent Information Night in preparation for their son embarking on the Melbourne Experience in Week two of next term. It was a wonderful evening to get together and bridge any concerns parents had about this very different learning experience that their son is going to undertake in a not too distant future.

This week, May 10 (Language Conventions and Writing), 11 (Reading) and 13 (Numeracy) saw all Year 9 students undertaking the last phase of their NAPLAN testing.

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual national assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. All students in these year levels are expected to participate in tests in reading, writing, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. NAPLAN tests assess student knowledge and skills in numeracy, reading, writing, spelling, punctuation and grammar. The results of the tests provide information for students, parents, teachers and principals about student achievement which can be used to inform teaching and learning programs. NAPLAN is the measure through which governments, education authorities, schools, teachers and parents can determine whether or not young Australians have the literacy and numeracy skills that provide the critical foundation for other learning and for their productive and rewarding participation in the community. The tests provide parents and schools with an understanding of how individual students are performing at the time of the tests. They also provide schools, states and territories with information about how education programs are working and which areas need to be prioritised for improvement. NAPLAN tests are one aspect of each school’s assessment and reporting process, and do not replace the extensive, ongoing assessments made by teachers about each student’s performance. NAPLAN tests the important skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life, such as reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy. The content of each test is informed by the Australian Curriculum. The Literacy tests are based on content in the English learning area, and the numeracy tests draw content from the mathematics learning area.

We also had a visit from the Pat Cronin Foundation on May 19 to talk with all of the Year 9 boys. The Pat Cronin Foundation was established by Matt and Robyn Cronin in memory of their 19-year-old son who died from a Coward Punch on a night out in Diamond Creek in 2016.

The “Be Wise” Educational Presentations inform students about Pat and his story, teaching students to reflect on attitudes and behaviours around anger and aggression. Students learn about the impact of violence and Coward Punches and how they can become part of the solution to End the Coward Punch. Students will feel empowered to develop their own action plan to ‘Be Wise’.

Mr Michael Busscher

Director of Middle School