Year 9

Across this week students have shown they are well and truly settled into their new routines. Excursions are running, assessments are being set or completed and students are starting to attend clinics across a range of subjects. As well as this, co-curricular activities and sports are back in full swing with students attending training in the mornings or workshops after school. It truly is fantastic to see the Year 9 cohort so committed to the experiences on offer at MLC School.  

This week we saw the Middle Years Leaders (MYL) host the Middle Years Assembly, which was attended by students in Year 6 to Year 9. These assemblies are a wonderful way for students from the Middle Years to be recognised for their achievements and to share positive experiences with their peers. The MYL organised a quiz-style activity that the audience participated in. It involved a range of questions and some consequences for incorrect answers. I look forward to seeing what the MYL can offer the cohort and the Middle Years students’ this year as they keep looking to develop their role.  

As I have done the last two weeks, I would like to share the insights of Year 9 following Safer Internet Day, which was held on Tuesday 7 February 2023. Year 9 students were asked to reflect on the theme for the year, Connect. Reflect. Protect. Below, in their own words, are what one group thought:  

‘Connect – Connection in terms of e-safety means to communicate effectively, positively and socially. It also means to use social media and online platforms the way they are meant to (to connect socially with others) and to not take it for granted and use it against someone or to hurt or exclude someone.’ 

‘Reflect – Reflection in e-safety means to think carefully about what you’re writing and to not disrespect, harm or bully someone online. As mentioned in the video, don’t send someone anything that you wouldn’t say in person and a good test for this could be if your parent wouldn’t be happy with what you’ve sent, don’t send it.’ 

‘Protect – You can protect yourself by being educated and aware of what you are exposing yourself to and who you are connecting or communicating with. You need to make sure you are being safe online by educating yourself on signs of scams, cyber-bullying and knowing the ways in which you can report messages.’ 

– Bridget Kovats
Head of Year 9