This week our newsletter provides a snapshot from Year 9. Our Middle School Captains Kate Stilling and Aidan Lee were asked to provide their insights, along with Annabel Major who is our Social Justice in Action portfolio leader. Please enjoy their accounts:
Hi I’m Kate, one of the Middle School Captains for 2022 and I am currently attending Clunes in Term 2. The energy on the bus driving to Clunes was incredible as everyone was so excited. Settling into a new environment was challenging as we had to adapt to living with our friends as well as people we had never met before, which made it difficult to find time for yourself.
Throughout the first week, there was a lot of trial and error, with cooking, cleaning and daily interactions but now our house has a routine that we can sustain each week. We have had to adapt to a new schedule but having the opportunity to make connections with students from other campuses has been a highlight because I have made some wonderful new friendships. Visiting weekend is quickly approaching and I am excited to continue my journey here at Clunes.
Kate Stilling, Middle School Co-Captain
For the Year 9 cohort, the first two terms have been jam-packed with interesting and educational incursions. The first incursion we had was from the ‘Butterfly Foundation’, who spoke to us about body image and the importance of self-love.
Financial literacy was next, with Malcolm Kirkwood taking time out of his busy schedule to speak to us about the value of saving money and how to manage any money we may earn in the future. We also had the pleasure of welcoming Scott Darlow to our school to sing us songs about Aboriginal land and the importance of Aboriginal culture.
To cap off a very engaging term, we held a Mock Model UN Caucus which all Year 9 students participated in and thoroughly enjoyed. In Term 2, we had the pleasure of viewing a live performance of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ from the Complete Works Theatre Company as we are studying this Shakespearean play in English class this term. We have had many incursions already this year and have many more to come. I speak on behalf of the entire Year 9 cohort when I say that we have learned a lot from these visits and for that, we are very thankful.
Aidan Lee, Middle School Co-Captain
I have enjoyed my start to Year 9 this year for many reasons, although a highlight would have to be the many fantastic House activities that have been offered to the Middle School students. This has included House swimming, House volleyball and House athletics.
I think that Aidan, Kate and I can speak on behalf of the Middle School in saying that we really enjoy these events as they give us a chance to hang out with our friends, participate in our much-missed community activities, win some points for our Houses and, let's face it, put the schoolwork on hold for a few periods (sorry teachers)! I think that House activities have been greatly missed over the past two years so it has been amazing to finally get to participate and compete in our Houses again.
Annabel Major, Social Justice in Action portfolio
