Middle School Term 4 Week 8

What’s Happening at Middle School

Week 9

• Mon 27 Nov – AMEB exams – Brass
• Mon 27 Nov – Year 9 Dolphin Boat tour #1
• Tues 28 Nov – AMEB exams –Piano
• Tues 28 Nov – Year 9 Dolphin Boat tour #2
• Wed 29 Nov – AMEB exams –Piano
• Wed 29 Nov – Year 9 Formal
• Thurs 30 Nov – AMEB exams –Flute
• Thurs 30 Nov – Year 9 Activity Day
• Fri 1 Dec – AMEB exams – Strings
• Fri 1 Dec – Year 9 Graduation Ceremony 

Week 10

• Wed 6 Dec – Carol Singing at Hospital
• Wed 6 Dec – Middle School Celebration Evening – 7pm
• Thurs 7 Dec – Adventure Park Day – Years 5-8
• Fri 8 Dec – Christmas Service
• Fri 8 Dec – Conclusion of Term 4 – 2:30pm Dismissal

Year 7 Exhibition of Learning – Humanities

On Thursday November 23, we were treated to a great afternoon where all six Year 7 Humanities classes put together an exhibition of learning showcasing their amazing work in creating a prototype of a new product that addresses a major global problem.

Our Year 7 cohort are to be commended for their efforts in conducting some outstanding research, looking into the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs). Each class has been looking into the 17 SDGs and evaluate how the global community is doing in terms of meeting our targets.

It has been a wonderful term of immersing ourselves in real-life problems to do with sustainability and some of the prototypes and innovative ideas for how to address these global issues has been just astounding.

Some special mentions go to:

Chet Pobjoy and Heidi Cullen for their creative and unique product called Eco-AI, which is a bin that automatically sorts and disposes of household waste.

Lily Sherman, Maya Corrigan and Willow McInnes from Mr Brewster’s class amazed everyone with their web-design skills and their innovative ideas around the future of transportation. If they successfully copyright their ideas, the future industry of transport in Victoria is in safe hands.

Looking at SDG #14 Life Under Water, Sian Hayes and Ruby Maddock produced some incredible work, even designing their own boardgame which is ready to be marketed and sold to the public.

Whilst Arabella Gower and Gabriella Desai arguably had the best display in their amazing efforts showcasing their great work examining water security and access to safe fresh drinking water.

All round, a great exhibition of learning. And thanks to the Year 7 staff, Bree Redden, Stephen Brewster, John Rees and Sally Bishop for their wonderful classes and hard work.

Year 9 Japanese Incursion

On Monday this week, the Year 9 Japanese students were treated to an incursion to signify the end of Japanese for the year and their Language studies at Middle School. Traditionally, this event has been an excursion but due to unforeseen circumstances that was not able to take place this year.

As part of the incursion, 2024 language exchange assistant Mr Itsuki Kozaki gave a presentation to the students about travel in Japan. Itsuki Sensei’s presentation concentrated on the Kansai Region 関西of Japan and focused on Wakayama Prefecture 和歌山県which is both where he comes from and where our sister school (Naga Senior High School) is located. Itsuki Sensei’s expert knowledge of Kansai and Wakayama had the Year 9 students captivated for almost an hour as he introduced them to some of the places they will be able to visit as part of the Christian College exchange program. Brewster Sensei followed by giving a short presentation on his experiences living through the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake before lunch.

After working up an appetite listening to both presentations, bento boxes were delivered, and we enjoyed some time together eating with chopsticks.

Ater lunch, the students watched a Japanese animated movie and had some authentic Japanese snacks. Some were weird, and some were wonderful but all delicious and a fun time was had by everyone.

ありがとうございますいつき先生。

Library Highlights

Reading for Pleasure – Avoiding ‘the Summer Slide’

Developing a proud culture of reading for pleasure is a driving passion of our library team here at Highton Middle School, all of whom have a sizeable Christmas reading wish list!

As the summer break approaches, we have begun assisting students in making selections to maintain their healthy reading habits throughout the holidays. Students are encouraged to make selections in coming weeks to sustain their reading habits, with research suggesting that a lengthy lull in reading can have an impact on reading proficiency and literacy skills upon return to school in the new year. Those who prefer to read E-books or listen to audiobooks will also have ongoing access to our Wheelers Platform via the Middle School Library homepage.

We are also promoting the BIG Summer Read initiative coordinated by Public Libraries Victoria, which students can sign up for and use the Beanstack app to tracking their reading.

Scholastic Book Club

It is not too late to place some pre-Christmas orders from the final Scholastic Book Club issue for 2023. Parents and students can view the catalogue online or take a hardcopy from the Reading Room this week. To ensure delivery prior to the end of term, orders need to be placed by Saturday November 25.

Canteen Announcement – Last Week of Term

Please note, there will be no online canteen orders available during the last week of term (December 4 to 8). Students can only make over-the-counter purchases.

CCG Foundation Golf Day Drives a Great Result!

The second CCG Foundation Annual Golf Day held earlier this month was a major success, with more than 60 golfers of varying abilities enjoying a fabulous day out at 13th Beach. Congratulations to the winning team – Veneziano Coffee Roasters, comprising company CEO Craig Dickson, together with Lance Brown, Nicholas Edds and David Perkins. Congratulations also to Judson Belousoff who took out the NTP (Nearest the Pin) award and Glen McColl who finished the day with the longest drive. A huge thanks to all participants for embracing the day. As well as providing an opportunity for people to come together, enjoy a round of golf and each other’s company, we raised $52,546.10 for the Foundation to support disadvantaged Geelong families in giving their children a Christian College education. Again, thank you to all who contributed to making this day a success.

A date for the diary – the 2024 Foundation Golf Tournament is happening on Thursday October 24 next year at 13th Beach Golf Links. That event will be played on the Beach Course – the same one used for the Vic Open.

GenAI Parent and Student Surveys Feedback

Recently, over several weeks, parents were invited to participate in a survey regarding experiences and perspectives on generative artificial intelligence, learning, society, and future. I would like to thank those parents who generously took a few minutes to participate and share their perspective as part of this process.

Concurrently, students in Years 7-12 were also invited to participate in an equivalent student version of the survey. I was pleased with the degree of participation from our students, at all target year levels, as well as the maturity and thoughtfulness of their responses. Our young people have been, and continue to be, engaged with this technology and the complex issues surrounding it.

Given how new this technology is to most people, for many in education this year has been one of discovery, learning and deep consideration of generative AI’s impacts for education, society, and future. A key consideration is how we as a school can best support all members of our community to be empowered to shape and influence those impacts, for the benefit of all. This journey is far from over and will continue into 2024 and beyond.

Get Some Unique Christmas Cards and Support Williams House

This year Williams House is selling packets of Christmas cards designed by our own little artists!

We are selling our Angel/Shepherd cards for $5 for a pkt of 6 and our Nativity cards are $7 for a pkt of 10. Each packet contains either 6 or 10 different designs.

If you would like to support the kinder and share our creations with the community this Christmas, the cards are available at all CCG campus receptions and of course at Williams House. Payment can be made with cash or card.

We also take over-the-phone orders with direct deposit. Phone 5241 3556

All money raised will go towards making some new additions to our outdoor yards!

We hope you love these gorgeous creations and enjoy sharing them with your family and the community this Christmas!

With thanks from all the children and the team at WH!