From the Middle School
From the Head of Middle School Jenny O’Donnell
Looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday at the Garden Party. Don’t forget to call by to say hello. The Middle School Office has been inundated this week with beautiful baskets to sell at our stall. The creativity and generosity that has gone into making the baskets is most appreciated.
This week, Year 8 have headed out to the Colo River for their 5-day Outdoor Education Program. We have been so blessed by the weather and the location is naturally stunning. Each group is currently moving across the Somerset campus on the banks of the Colo River taking their own route and camping in a different location each night. The girls will partake in a selection of challenge by choice activities: Abseiling, Hiking, Canoeing, an Obstacle course, Raft Building, a Low Ropes course, the infamous Wombat Hole, Archery, the River Run- just to name a few. Evening meals include a My Kitchen Rules challenge, handmade pizza in the outdoor pizza oven, a BBQ and a meal in the dining hall. At the end of the day, each group will debrief around the campfire and plan for the day ahead. This week is a great opportunity to make new connections and gain insight into self. Resilience is integral to independence and already we have seen so many examples of girls putting themselves outside their comfort zone and celebrating their achievements. We are so proud of the girls and I know you will be excited to welcome them home on Friday, keen to hear your daughter’s story.
An experience like this only happens when many people work hard to invest in the organisation, taking into account individual needs and working to empower the girls to step up and embrace opportunities. So much goes on behind the scenes to ensure positive outcomes for everyone. I would like to acknowledge the team who have dedicated their energy to make this happen: Mrs Budd (Deputy Head of Middle School), Mr Raymond (Deputy Principal Students), Mrs Hunt (Head of Wellbeing), Mrs Ventura, Mr Howells and Ms Stapp our Heads of Year 8.
Last week, we held the second of our Transition Workshops for the current Year 6 Junior School girls who will be heading up to Year 7 next year. The current Year 7 Transition Leaders were outstanding when running the sessions and responding to the many questions posed. Their confidence and care were consistent and in turn made for a very successful program. Thank you to these girls- 64 in total!
Chloe Morrison of Year 7 is to be congratulated for having won the U12 girls singles Tennis Championship title at Lake Macquarie this weekend after an exhausting 2-hour final.. Chloe was previously ranked at 24th place at Tennis Australia’s U12 girl’s leader board. This latest win is sure to assist her in achieving her goal to qualify for the Nationals later this month.
Athena Wu of Year 8 competed in the World Scholar’s Cup Sydney Round and received the following awards:
Trophy as Overall Champion Scholar – Junior, Trophy as Champion Debate Team – Junior, Trophy for Second Place Junior Team, Gold Medal as Challenge Social Studies Winner, Gold Medal as Debater, Silver Medal in Collaborative Writing, Silver Medal in Challenge Science and Technology, Silver Medal in Challenge Literature and Media.
Congratulations and good luck Athena, for now qualifying for the Global Round in Christchurch from September 19 to 24.
Congratulations to everyone who took part in the Year 8 Obstacle Course Design Competition! The girls submitted some amazing designs and made the selection very difficult for the PDHPE department! A special shout-out goes to Chloe Sun, who took out first place and scored a $25 Archie’s voucher – well done!
Jenny O’Donnell
Head of Middle School