MLC Middle School provides a safe environment that meets the specific needs of young girls socially, emotionally, academically, physically and spiritually in Years 6, 7 and 8. The learning environment in Middle School aims to address the needs of each girl as a whole person.

At MLC School we know that girls in their middle years of schooling (10–14 year olds) have needs that are quite different from those of a primary or senior school student. The Middle School learning program is one that nurtures both a capacity for critical thinking, and a commitment to learning. The learning environment encourages girls to actively explore beyond the boundaries of traditional schooling. Girls are encouraged to make the most of the opportunities that enable them to learn either on their own or in groups.

The Middle School Pastoral Care Program, supported by Mentors, provides opportunities for students to make connections with their learning and build relationships with peers and adults. It supports students in their exploration of new experiences through academic and extra curricular programs. Specialised Middle School staff know how to meet the learning needs of younger adolescents and bring curriculum expertise to engage students in real and relevant learning experiences within and beyond the classroom.

Middle School is located on the Genista Campus on the northern side of the Senior School. The Year 6 and Year 7 classrooms border the playground, which is for Middle School girls only. There is space for netball, handball, skipping ropes, outdoor chess as well as outdoor seating.

Exposure to Information Technology is a certainty for young
adolescents and using advanced technologies in a creative, exciting and safe way is very much a part of the Middle School at MLC.

Quest Atlantis in Middle School

Changing the learning environment from a familiar, live classroom to what appears to be a computer game in a virtual world is a challenge. For students familiar with Web 2.0 technologies, creating a virtual self and exploring new spaces in the game is easy. What is not so easy is playing in virtual worlds that force you to take a stand on what you believe to be right and accepting that others may not agree with you. Reward comes not from the instant gratification of winning but from preparedness, patience and persistence to achieve goals. This learning is proving to be powerful and challenging: as we say in Middle School, hard fun.

Like intrepid travellers who explore different environments and grow appreciative of the cultures they visit, Years 6 and 7 are discovering a lot about themselves and the real world as they investigate the virtual worlds of Quest Atlantis.

Quest Atlantis challenges the way that students interact with technology. What they initially think of as a computer game proves to be a rich, virtual environment embedded with authentic learning opportunities. In Year 6 students may be taking on the role of park rangers investigating the dramatic decline in fish populations and balancing the needs of the park users. Or they may be profiling marine organisms and preparing a symposium on the health of our fragile reefs. Whatever the environment, the students are rewarded for their efforts and know that they are helping others understand how to be more environmentally aware.

THE GOTHIC WORLD OF INGOLSTADT

In Year 7, MT7.3 face a moral quandary in the world known as Ingolstadt. Here they respond to the needs of a town beset by a crippling plague. This eerie world, inspired by gothic writing, really stretches the students as part of their English unit on Perspective: just what is life and by what means would, or should, you go to preserve it?

In both years, the questers (students) are embedded in the narrative, becoming active agents who shape the course of the story. Outside of the rigorous academic content, questers are learning to identify and develop their own core values. In addition, Quest Atlantis provides a challenge to the idea of computer games being based on instant success and gratification: Quest Atlantis exposes students to the value of preparedness – rushing in to complete a task only doubles your workload; persistence – sometimes it is important to revise work and learn from our errors and, most significantly, patience – with the technology, with our team member and ourselves.

Quest Atlantis is more than a game, it’s a learning environment that is shaping learners of today for tomorrow.

Learning and Recognising Leadership ~ Ubuntu

Ubuntu is a South African word that means ‘a person is a person because of other persons’. It acknowledges one’s humanity, the importance of valuing everyone and living and working together to build community. Ubuntu Awards are peer and staff nominated and awarded twice annually.

Positive relationships are essential for effective learning and in
Middle School learning to lead is fundamental for leading learners.
Learning leadership continues as a focus in classrooms, on the sports field, through service learningand in the Middle School Leadership program.

All Year 7 girls learn about current leadership theory and practice. The student body elects the Middle School Leadership Team and their ongoing leadership development occurs through weekly meetings with the Head of School and the Pastoral Care Co-ordinator, and attendance at workshops specific for students in the Middle Years of schooling.

Service Learning

Successful service learning programs are those where there is explicit benefit for both the provider and the recipient of the service. It is not a volunteer program or voyeuristic. It is grounded in experiences and activities that facilitate learning for everyone.

Extension of the Middle School Service Learning program provided greater opportunity for girls to learn about other people and themselves. MAD (Make A Difference) days were held each term. Year 6 again baked and packaged Chistmas treats and performed concerts of Christmas carols for neighbouring nursing homes. Fundraising activities supported the
Mitrataa Foundation in Nepal and the Teachers’ College in East Timor. The International Food and Dance Festival celebrated our multiculturalism and provides ongoing sponsorship for two Nepalese girls to attend school.

The program with Merrylands Special School saw Year 7 students in regular and ongoing classroom visits for most of the first three terms of this year. Girls learned how young people with disabilities are more the same as them than different and that in helping others learn new skills, we also learn more ourselves. Some Year 7 and 8 girls again volunteered to
help Merrylands students participate in a ten day Learn to Swim program.

Ordering Books for the new Academic Year

Campion Bellbird Books (incorporating Pronin's Book Service) are the preferred book supplier for MLC School. Orders must be prepaid by credit card or cheque. If you require books please contact Bellbird Books directly on 9460 7133. Orders can be faxed or posted directly to Bellbird Books, Locked Bag 250, Artarmon, NSW, 1570 or order on line.

Click here to order online from Campion Bellbird Books.