Year 8

It has been a pleasure to welcome Year 8 students back to school this week. Their enthusiasm and the joy of reconnecting with friends after the break have been evident, and it is wonderful to see the spirit thriving once again. Although Term 4 is a shorter term, it promises to be filled with a wide range of activities, consistent with the vibrant and dynamic culture of MLC School.

Last term, we received valuable feedback from parents regarding assessment tasks and concerns about academic integrity. We appreciate and welcome such feedback, as it helps us to continually improve our practices. The School is currently reviewing and revising assessment procedures to ensure fairness and uphold the highest standards. However, as we are bound by the existing timetable, not all assessments can be scheduled concurrently.

During this week’s Year 8 meeting, I addressed the importance of academic integrity and honesty. Students were reminded that discussing assessment tasks with peers before all students have completed them constitutes academic dishonesty. Such actions compromise the integrity of our assessments and hinder our ability to accurately evaluate student achievement. I have encouraged students to respond confidently if approached about test content, explaining that sharing such information is not appropriate. Additionally, I also reminded students that asking about a test is disrespectful and not fair to put their peers in that situation.

This term, during Luminary Time, we will continue with the Lead In Girls Leadership program. Students will have the opportunity to explore their strengths, learn strategies for dealing with failure, and develop skills to manage pressure. In addition, our focus for this term will be on the school value of Growth. This is a particularly relevant theme for Year 8, as students navigate a period of significant change and begin to shape their identities as young adults.

Thank you for your ongoing support as we work together to foster a positive and enriching environment for all students.

– Kate Schurch
Acting Head of Year 8