Middle School Report
As Head of the Middle School - Years 7 and 8, I would like to welcome you to a new year at St Mary’s Coptic Orthodox College. I am sure that 2008 will be a very productive and rewarding year for teachers and students alike. I am also confident that the year 7 and 8 students will set a high standard of achievement this year in an educational environment where they will be afforded the opportunity to develop to their full academic potential, to be challenged and extended.
St Mary’s Coptic Orthodox College endeavours to ensure that all students have access to a common and comprehensive education. This involves holding high expectations of each student’s potential, maintaining a disciplined working atmosphere and rewarding student effort. Our main objective is the students’ academic achievement. As such, teachers will be working closely to achieve this in the best possible way. Furthermore, students in the Middle School will be encouraged in their process of learning and their overall progress and behaviour will be closely monitored. Finally, individual needs, strengths and weaknesses will be identified to meet the appropriate educational expectations at this level.
The transition from primary to secondary school requires adjustment for the year 7 students and this will be adequately adhered to. In the Middle School, the students are at a stage where they need to enhance and further extend their existing knowledge and skills to prepare for their future studies in the secondary school. It is a time of growth and development. As such, throughout the year, the year 7 and 8 students will be working mainly from the designated texts and handouts for each subject area. In addition, as part of the Middle School the year 7 and 8 students will take part in various educational activities which will be based on a specific theme and incorporate VELS based interactive activities from various subject areas.
In term 1, the year 8 students will take part in a Viking Exhibition and Information Evening. This will involve the presentation of work to parents and will take place at the school gym which will be set up in such a way that parents can visit various exhibitions and view the work created by students on the Vikings. This will incorporate Viking games including racing and wrestling, Viking food, Viking navigation using compasses made during the term, long boat races, displays of helmets and shields, English writing on the Vikings, photos and Viking posters, a religious aspect to trace the Vikings change from Paganism to Christianity, a drama performance and music presentation. The year 8 students will also take part in a Medieval day which will further explore armour, fashion and dress, crime and punishment and daily life during the Medieval period.
In term 2, the year 7 students will take part in an Ancient Greek Exhibition and Information Evening. This will also involve the presentation of work created by the year 7 students to parents on Ancient Greece. It will incorporate Ancient Greek food, myths, displays of Ancient Greek art, photos and posters, power point presentations, a religious aspect to explore the change from Paganism to the Greek Orthodox religion, and relevant music and drama performances. Finally, a mini Olympics will also be organised for the grade 6 and year 7 students on a separate day.
I look forward to seeing the year 7 and 8 students set a high standard of maturity, responsibility and achievement this year. I wish them every success with their studies and through hard work and determination I am sure they will achieve the academic goals they set out to accomplish.
Pam Danopoulos
Head of Middle School