What a fantastic start we have had in the Girls’ Middle School this year! We always enjoy welcoming new students and during our first week we have had the opportunity for new and returning students to settle in and feel comfortable.
I’ve been so pleased to see students extend their friendship groups and over the coming weeks girls will have the opportunity to further involve themselves in the many co-curricular offerings we have in the Middle School. This week the Social Justice Group held their first meeting and it was great to see many Year 7 students signing up to be involved in this wonderful group. In the weeks ahead I hope to see students make the most of the opportunities our wonderful school has to offer as they look to discover new passions and interests.
During assemblies last week there has been much talk and encouragement for students to approach the year with a positive mindset and embrace new opportunities and challenges. We started on day one of the year with a fun, getting to know staff ‘Kahoot’ which entertained the girls as they discovered a great deal about their Pastoral Mentors for 2017 from whose favourite food is cucumber to which member of staff is a twin. Our Middle School Captain, Ashleigh Dowling and Vice-Captain, Audrey Middleton hosted their first Middle School Assembly where they encouraged students to ‘step outside their comfort zone’. On Friday we had our Foundation Service and celebrated 140 years of Tintern. The birthday cake was a real hit with all students at recess!
The main focus at this time of the year is on developing positive relationships for girls with their peers and with their staff and there will be a number of Pastoral sessions in the coming weeks that will focus on this.
Our theme in the Middle School is Change and Challenge and this is particularly evident at this time of the year. I have been witness to many students embracing challenges such as Year 7s, who are adjusting to secondary schooling; meeting new friends and staff, familiarising themselves with their timetable and managing combination locks. They’ve also been having lots of fun in the classroom as they begin new subjects. Year 8s and 9s have been enjoying participating in their chosen electives and also preparing for and competing in EISM Interschool Sport matches.
Thank you to all parents who attended the Middle School Information Night on Tuesday, it was fantastic to see so many of you there. It was a great opportunity to share information about the upcoming year and for staff to meet the parents of the girls they will be working so closely with this year. If you were unable to attend, information presented is available through the Year Level pages on the myTintern Portal.
