Senior Stories

Transition Days for 2017

By Michael Francis Email this article

It has been the Senior School’s turn over the past week to engage in the transition of students into their year levels for 2017. The current Year 10 students experienced a morning of information about Year 11 and all that it holds last week, culminating in a challenging and memorable presentation on Road Safety Awareness from the Metropolitan Fire Service.

This presentation, also attended by old scholar and Minister for Road Safety Police and Emergency Services Mr Peter Malinauskas MLC (1998), delivered clear messages about being aware of your surroundings and of minimising unwanted distractions while driving. These ideas certainly struck a chord with all present and left the students with some manageable strategies to assist those around them be safer road users – so you might hear some tips from your children over summer! 

Our current Year 9s were welcomed into the Senior School on Monday afternoon, having the opportunity to spend some time in their new Tutor Groups for 2017. I put to the students that perhaps this transition from Year 9 into Year 10 is the most significant transition, as it coincides with a move into the Senior School. This can sometimes take a while to adjust to and the students were presented with a number of ideas to consider prior to beginning their Year 10 studies – ranging from the increase in responsibility upon them as learners through experiences such as the Personal Project, to the onset of career choices, decision making and the opportunity to be involved in the Senior School Social in the middle of the year!

Not to be outdone, the current Year 11 students have engaged in transition by sampling some of their subjects in a shortened timetable. Not only were subject details explored, but the chance to meet new staff and make final subject choice decisions were possible and therefore the 2017 year can begin in earnest when the time is right.

Further to this, the Year 11 students have begun to transform the Senior Study space to claim it as their own in one of Mercedes College’s most anticipated transition experiences. No doubt the 2017 version of the Senior Study space will be another wonderful example of student collaboration and ingenuity.

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Points to Consider in Preparation for 2017

As the students have been involved in transition activities, they have been made aware of their responsibilities as members of our Senior School community. This encompasses being dedicated and committed learners in a curriculum sense, but it also involves being aware of our expectations in terms of how Senior students interact with each other, their parents and College staff.

I invite all students to take some time prior to returning to school in 2017 to consider how they intend to meet these expectations and to successfully navigate the challenges that lie ahead. This may include how they intend to reach their academic potential, how they intend to meet uniform expectations, and also how they can build lasting, positive relationships with those close to them.

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Information for Parents

Over the course of the latter part of this year, members of the College leadership team have been exploring some guidelines to communicate to families and students with respect to the hosting of parties. These guidelines remain in draft form, yet I would invite you to have a read of these. They have been drafted through careful discussion about how we would consider parties to be held in a safe and responsible manner, caring for the needs of all in the College community.

Links are also highlighted to other external bodies that may have some suggestions on how to engage in planning positive social occasions for school aged children and these are well worth a visit also. If you have any feedback on these guidelines then please contact me via email over the break. It is my intention to clearly refer to these guidelines when we return to school in 2017, asking students and parents to consider these when planning parties and functions in the new year.

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Finally…

2016 has been a year of great growth and challenge for me taking on the role of Head of Senior School. I have been blessed to undergo this challenge in such a wonderfully nurturing environment at this College. Thank you for your support and care over the year, and I sincerely wish you all a safe and holy Christmas and a regenerating holiday period. Until we meet again in 2017, may grace and blessings be in your path.

Michael Francis
Head of Senior School