1. education
2. school

KEY DATES...
A NOTE FROM MIDDLE YEARS LEADERSHIP
Monday 11 May
Dental program – Building 2 room 2.11
This year we have had a strong focus on Positive Education in staff Training and
Development sessions and in the classroom. A large part of this is trying to
engender in our children a ‘Growth Mindset’
Tuesday 12 May
NAPLaN Yrs 3,5,7
Dental program – Building 2 room 2.11
Wednesday 13 May
NAPLaN Yrs 3,5,7
Dental program – Building 2 room 2.11
Thursday 14 May
NAPLaN Yrs 3,5,7
Dental program – Building 2 room 2.11
Friday 15 May
Dental Program – Building 2 room 2.11
Bank SA Saving Forum 1.00pm-2.30 pm
Monday 18 May
Dental Program – Building 2 room 2.11
Tuesday 19 May
Dental Program – Building 2 room 2.11
Wednesday 20 May
Dental Program – Building 2 room 2.11
Thursday 21 May
Dental Program – Building 2 room 2.11
Friday 22 May
Dental Program – Building 2 room 2.11
Why the Growth Mindset?
When students and educators have a growth mindset, they understand that
intelligence can be developed. Students focus on improvement instead of worrying
about how smart they are. They work hard to learn more and get smarter. Based on
years of research by Stanford University’s Dr. Carol Dweck, we know that students
who learn this mindset show greater motivation in school and achieve better results
both in school and beyond.
(To learn more about Carol Dweck’s research go to http://www.ted.com/talks/
carol_dweck_the_power_of_believing_that_you_can_improve)
What does a Growth Mindset School look like?
STUDENT
ACTIVITY
My name is Ashoo Rajput.
I am a Pre-Service teacher
completing my Master in
Teaching at the University
of South Australia. I
will be completing my
final placement at Mark
Oliphant College teaching
Maths/Science to year 7’s
and 8’s.
These pictures (see banner
above) illustrate an activity
where I had students
exploring the three states
of matter and their various
properties.
Teachers collaborate with their colleagues rather than shut their classroom doors
and fly solo. They strive to strengthen their own practice.
They truly believe that all students can learn and succeed—and show it.
Parents support their children’s learning both inside and outside the classroom. They
partner with teachers, and work together to create an environment where children
are challenged to try harder.
Students are enthusiastic, hard-working, persistent learners. They take charge over their own success.
It is vital for lifelong learning habits that all our children believe that they can continue to grow their learning, that
it is not a set thing. It is important we teach children that an attitude and the way a situation is approached can
determine the outcome.
Kathleen Hoare - Executive Leader (Years 7-12)
What Can I Say To Myself?
Instead of:
Try thinking:
I’m not good at this.
What am I missing?
I’m awesome at this.
I’m on the right track.
I give up.
I’ll use some of the strategies we’ve learned.
This is too hard.
This may take some time and effort.
I can’t make this any better.
I can always improve, so I’ll keep on trying.
I just can’t do maths.
I’m going to train my brain in Maths.
I made a mistake.
Mistakes help me learn better.
She’s so smart... I’ll never be that smart. I’m going to figure out how she does it so I can try.
Plan A didn’t work.
Good thing the alphabet has 25 more letters.
It’s good enough.
Is it really my best work?
Ph. (08) 8209 1600
www.moc.sa.edu.au | [email protected]
99 Douglas Drive, Munno Para SA 5115
SCIENCE AND MATHS
On Tuesday 28th of April, our class went to the Playford Alive Visitor Centre. We met Allison who told us
about the wetlands, shops and schools that are in Playford Alive. Some of us found our houses. My favourite
part was when we were walking back to school because it was fun to be out of the school grounds. I got to
compare the differences between the school I go to now and my old schools. We learned about what the
area they own will look like.
By Odette Altemon
I really liked the huge model of Playford Alive. My favourite part was taking the walk to the Centre. I also
found my house on the huge model. I learnt that 4500 new houses are getting built in the area and that there
is a new Woolworths going up.
By Jordan Bond
Kate Eadsforth - Senior Leader (Learning and iMOC)
ATTENDANCE
I have written previously about the importance of healthy habits and their impact on attendance. Another
healthy habit to develop is a daily routine. Daily routines help create a natural body clock through the use of
bedtime routines. Routines can support young people in developing basic work skills and time management.
They can also help foster a feeling of safety during difficult stages of a young person’s life as routines make
them feel looked after and feel a sense of predictability amongst all of the changes they are experiencing. The
Middle Years attendance target is 93%. Students not meeting this target are missing out on daily information and
valuable learning time. Further information regarding routines can be found at http://raisingchildren.net.au.
Kylie Christians - Leader (Learning and Well Being)
UNIFORM EXPECTATIONS
As the weather is starting to get colder we are starting to see a large number
of students attending school in non-uniform clothing. As part of the enrolment
agreement at the school everyone agrees to wear the uniform available at the
uniform shop located at the school. Whilst the weather is becoming colder it
is still important to maintain a professional looking learning environment. Over
the next couple of weeks the Uniform shop is expected to have a grey tracksuit
pant available for purchase. It is an expectation that if students wish to wear
track pants they purchase these from the uniform shop. We thank all parents for
their co-operation in assisting in their children attending with full uniform. Thanks.
Nathan Elliot - Senior Leader
‘CAUGHT IN THE ACT’
As part of the Middle Years focus on developing and promoting a
harmonious learning environment, teachers are running a programme called
‘Caught in the Act’. Teachers are keeping an eye out for and nominating
students for performing acts of kindness without teacher driven instructions.
Names of nominated students will be going into a draw to receive prizes at
each Assembly. Good Luck.
ENGLISH & HISTORY
MIDDLE YEARS LEADERSHIP
Kathleen Hoare
Executive Leader (Years 7-12)​
E: [email protected]
Nathan Elliott
Senior Leader
Kate Eadsforth
Senior Leader (Learning and iMOC)
Kylie Christians
Leader (Learning and Well Being)
Janna Lewis
Leader (Learning and Year 9)
This term in PE we have
created a new challenge,
called ‘Circuit Training’
some of the exercises
include- Sit ups, Tricep dips,
Pushups, Jump squats and
Mountain climbers. Each
exercise is attempted for 30
seconds with a 10 second
break in between.
“Some of the exercises are
challenging but in the end
it’s a lot of fun.”- Abbey
Murdoch (Year 9 Student)
“My favourite exercise is sit
ups because it challenges
me.”- Chloe Ellis (Year 9
Student)
Lauren Daniels
Every week, students complete a 100 word writing challenge. The students are given a prompt, either visual or a
sentence that they must include in a creative writing piece. This task is assigned for homework, with the students
completing a good copy by Friday to post on their blog. The 100 Word Challenge allows students to express their
creativity while working on their grammar, spelling and vocabulary. Some students choose to write short narratives,
poems or even news reports. This week’s challenge is for the students to pick a fairytale and change the story into
their own! If you would like to view our blogs, please visit the following links:
kidblog.org/MOCMissHopgood & kidblog.org/MOCMrsSharma
Kate-Ellen Hopgood
MUSIC
This term in Music, students are
learning to perform individually
as well as collaboratively in small performance
ensembles. Each group has chosen a song to
perform on their selected instrument, and they have
What we cover:
been busy analysing the different aspects of each
•Understanding adolescence:A time of reconstructions, redeveloping piece. Students have also started investigating the
social landscapes, brain snaps and body make-overs
guitar and the ways in which it is used in modern
•Understand your job as a parent of a teenager – observer, advisor, and historic settings. It is great to see so many
negotiator, director
•Asking the question – Is it serious? What’s worth reacting to and students getting involved and sharing their
enthusiasm for live performance!
what’s not…
•How to hold the difficult conversations more successfully
Where:
Bagster Road Community Centre, 17 Bagster Rd, Salisbury Nth
www.facebook.com/MOCMiddleYears
HPE
Time: 10am to 12.30 Cost: Free
Duration: (all dates to be attended)
Week 1 Thursday 28th May, 2015
Week 2 Thursday 4th June, 2015
Week 3 Thursday 11th June, 2015
Bookings for the course are essential. Please contact Centacare on (08) 8250 3694.
Engaging Adolescents - ©Parentshop
www.centacare.org.au
Tom McDonough
SCHOOL MURAL
This term the school is creating a
mural that celebrates Aboriginal culture, with
contributions from every sub school. Last term,
Middle Years students designed some amazing
contributions that will be recreated and painted
on our section over the next few weeks. On
Thursday afternoons small groups of students will
be asked to join us to complete the project. We
look forward to seeing the finished product.
Janna Lewis - Leader (Learning and Year 9)