From the Middle Campus
End of Term Reflection
As we reach the end of Term 1, it’s been heartening to see our Middle Campus students truly thrive. The start of the year always brings new beginnings, and our students have embraced these with enthusiasm and resilience.
Our Year 5s have transitioned beautifully from the Junior Campus, stepping into new routines and growing in confidence each day. Our Year 7s have also taken on the exciting challenge of secondary school life, settling in with energy and eagerness. It’s also been a joy to welcome new students across all year levels who have quickly become part of our vibrant community.
One of the most special moments of the term was our Grandparents and Special Persons Day. Seeing our community come together to celebrate the vital role these individuals play in our students’ lives was truly moving. Their presence reminded us of the strength and support that surrounds our young people.
Throughout the term, we’ve witnessed remarkable perseverance, bravery, and kindness, from staff guiding students through new experiences, to students encouraging one another and rising to challenges with positivity. These moments of courage, whether it’s speaking up in class, trying a new sport, participating in camp activities, or simply reaching out to include someone, are vital steps in a young person’s development.
At this stage of schooling, it’s so important for students to begin pushing their boundaries in safe, supported ways. By stepping outside of their comfort zones, they begin to discover their strengths, build resilience, and grow in confidence. We are proud of the way our students have embraced challenges, taken healthy risks, and supported one another with empathy and respect. It’s in these moments of stretching themselves that real growth happens; academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.
As we enter the Easter break, I want to thank all of our students, staff, and families for their commitment, energy, and warmth throughout the term. May your holidays be safe, restful, and full of joy. We look forward to all the wonderful things our students will achieve in Term 2.
Year 8 Camp – Fortescue Bay
A few weeks ago in Week 7, the Year 8s embarked on their camp for the year. We went to Fortescue Bay on the Tasman Peninsula. There were 3 groups across the cohort who went for 2 days and 1 night each, with both days being filled with activities and an opportunity to bond with our peers. We participated in 3 main activities, including surfing, kayaking and abseiling/rock climbing, and were lucky to have outside expert providers assist us with these. My favourite activity was definitely the surfing, where my whole group was able to successfully stand up on the board and ride a wave in, and we were able to surf in really nice and sunny conditions on our day.
In addition to the activities during the day, we were able to have free time with our friends at the campsite and on the beach. This free time was filled with a lot of cricket, kicking the footy, swimming, playing creeper with the teachers and more. The camp was also our first opportunity to camp more independently, as we had to provide and set-up our own tents and also cook our own food. The portable gas stoves were filled with smells of steaks, chicken burgers, pancakes and sausages every night, and most of us were pretty successful in cooking without our parents which surprised the teachers.
On behalf of Year 8, we’d like to say a huge thank you to all of the teachers who volunteered their time to come on camp and help us out. We appreciate your time and can’t wait for Year 9 camp already. Thank you.
Charlotte Dale and Tommy Pearsall, Year 8
Ancient Australia – Year 7 History
During Term 1, all Year 7 students have been studying Ancient Australia. Children have been learning about ice ages, megafauna, and Aboriginal cultures and histories.
We borrowed some Aboriginal cultural artefacts from the Fr. John Wall Library (Tasmanian Catholic Education Office) including spears, bullroarers and an impressive stone axe. The young history students learnt that boomerangs, clap sticks and didgeridoos were not used in Lutruwita/Tasmania, but only on mainland Australia.
This is the fifth consecutive year we have taught these lessons and each year adventurous students experiment using a bullroarer by swinging it around in the air to create a noise. Others trying the clapsticks, thunderdrum and rainstick. Palawa students proudly showed their classmates one of Aunty Lola Greeno’s kanalaritja/shell necklaces and some mixed ochre and put a little bit on the hands of all students who were interested in knowing more about its traditional use and significance.
We looked at waddies, throwing sticks and miniature bark canoes made by local palawa craftsman Danny Gardner. We also handled some stringybark rope and a yamina/grass tree fire stick made by him. In learning about kelp water carriers, we looked at one made by Aunty Eva Richardson and some mini kelp baskets made by Sheldon Thomas, who taught our students in 2023 how to make miniature bark huts. Students were able to touch genuine Tasmanian kangaroo, wallaby and possum skins and examine a wide range of cultural artefacts, including a stunning fish trap from Arnhem Land.
The College is grateful to Fr John Wall Library at the TCEO for organising many of the resources for us.
We are Country and Country is us
Seventeen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Year 8 were guided along the takara limuna/she oak trail by Trish Hodge and Mathius Everett from nita Education. Following the eastern banks of the Timtumili Minanya (Derwent River), students learnt about the Mumirimina people whose Country extended from Pittwater to piyuri kitina (Risdon Cove). Trish and Mathius taught the group about the traditional uses of many plants, pointed out rina mapoli/living places and guided us into a rock shelter just above the shore on the headland. Here, students imagined a family sitting together in the rock shelter, sharing the warmth of a fire, feasting on the bounty of milaythina minanya (river country) and enjoying the view of sacred Kunanyi.
After our walk, Mathius taught students how to throw spears and the students practiced their skills. Trish shared her possum cloak with students, allowing them to sit on it and wrap themselves in its warmth.
The information panels were excellent. They included text by Palawa Sharers of Knowledge: Theresa Sainty and Zoe Rimmer and Art by Alan Mansell. First Nation students in Year 5 will attend this same excursion in Week 1 of next term on the 30th April.
