8th March 2024
Important dates
| Friday 29 March | Good Friday Public Holiday |
| Saturday 30 March | Easter Saturday |
| Sunday 31 March | Easter Sunday |
| Monday 01 April | Easter Monday Public Holiday |
| Friday 05 April | Last day of Term 1 |
| Monday 15 April | Staff Professional Learning Day |
| Tuesday 16 April | First Day of Term 2 |
Werte, Hello!
Hello, Werte!
Welcome to Centralian Middle School’s second newsletter of the year.
I cannot believe we are already in Week 6 of Term 1! I guess we do not recognise how time flies when we are so busy and enjoying the many wonderful things happening at school. We cross the halfway mark of what is proving to be an eventful term with many success stories.
CMS is humbled by the support from families who turned up for the ‘Meet the Teacher’ night. This was an excellent opportunity for families to build relationships with the school. This is important as we strive to achieve positive learning outcomes for our students.
I am inspired by how our Year 7 students have settled into the school routines. Year 7 students are a great group of students who are not only navigating the academic challenges of Middle School curriculum well, but expertly dealing with the social intricacies that come from having students from different primary schools.
Students across the school have been busy on their assignments as they go through their units of study. I have been privileged to read some of the assignments and I must say I am impressed with the critical thinking and creativity in our students. Thank you to the Centralian Middle School staff for your excellent work and challenging the students to venture out of their comfort zone.
Recently our Year 9 students participated in the Ethics Olympiad. The CMS team performed well and were recognized for their deep understanding of world issues. Thank you, Mr. Gill, for preparing our team for the Ethics Olympiad. This week sees our students participate in the Interschools basketball competition. I have no doubt the CMS will win this one. This is also a chance for our students to interact with students from other schools. VET Construction and Engineering Pathways has started well. Students in Year 9 are enjoying this program as they are gaining essential skills and preparing for career pathways post middle school.
Our two academies (Clontarf and STARS) continue to provide a rich experience for our students. These two academies have organised exciting activities within and outside of the school. We cannot wait for their camps which are been extremely popular with our students and have created lasting positive school experiences.
I would like to ask that our families support our whole school initiatives which include among others (a) The ‘Phone Policy’ and (b)the ‘Closed in shoes policy’. As we move through the year, I am optimistic that we will be successful with other policies.
Through our Schoolwide Positive Behaviour Framework, Centralian Middle school has continued to promote the school values of Respect, Responsibility and Fairness. We continue to work with our families to inculcate these values. I am extending my profound gratitude to our community for their support in shaping the leaders we want to see in future. Centralian Middle School will continue to place importance and model these values. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me or the principal on 89552333.
Together as one, we will be successful.
Wellington Pasi
Assistant Principal
Assessment Schedule
The Term 1 Assessment Schedules for Year 7, 8 & 9 are below.
These outline the focus area for assessment your young person has completed or will complete in each subject area this term.
Review of Secondary Education
The Review of Secondary Education in the Northern Territory was released on the 29 February 2024. The aim of the Review is to build on current strengths and inform the design of a secondary education system that is responsive to the diverse needs and unique context of the Northern Territory, reflecting the Territory’s rich cultural diversity, and providing a pathway for all students to achieve success. The Review makes 15 evidence-based recommendations that aim to improve engagement and outcomes for all secondary students across the Territory. The Northern Territory Government has accepted all recommendations from the Review.
Moving Away from the Middle School Model
For Middle and Senior Secondary schools, in particular, there is a recommendation that the Department of Education ‘move away from the middle school model and establish comprehensive schools, in current settings, over time’. Whilst no immediate change is planned, there will be further consultation and planning community-by-community. This recommendation was made in response to significant feedback relating to middle schooling, student transitions and pathways. It aims to support student engagement and retention, and continuity of relationships and learning throughout the secondary years. The implementation of this recommendation will take some time and there will be further consultation and planning community-by-community. There will be careful consultation and design to both minimise disruption and strengthen learning for students on a school-by-school basis.
More information about the Review and its recommendations is available on the department’s website.
School news and updates
Whole School Professional Development Days
The NT Public Sector Non-Contract Principals, Teachers, and Assistant Teachers’ 2021 – 2024 Enterprise Agreement now states that compulsory professional learning and development days occur:
- One day before students commence the school year.
- On the first day of the second, third and fourth terms.
- On the last day of Term 4 of each year
This means Monday, 15th April, will be a student-free day. Students return on Tuesday 16th April from holidays.
NAPLAN Information
Sports Voucher
Semester 1, 2024 Sports Vouchers are now available. Parents and carers will need to apply each semester at the following website.
Please note if the details of the young person are already on the system, a voucher will be available to print or save straight away, if the details are not found by the system a voucher will be sent to the email address you have provided within 7 days.
More information is available at the link below, alternatively you can also contact the Sport Voucher team by phone on 1800 817 860 or by email sport.voucher@nt.gov.au .
Year 9 VET
Thursday Week 3 saw the first day of Year 9 students going to the Centre for Appropriate Technology to start their Certificate 1 Construction or Certificate 1 Engineering Pathways. These are both great opportunities for flexible learning options that lead to good jobs after school. Attendance was excellent. Thanks to the Year 9 team and Clontarf making this opportunity happen.
Clean Up Australia Day
Last week two of our year 9 science classes participated in Clean Up Australia Day efforts. They worked together to collect rubbish from our school surroundings and actively learnt about the impact of rubbish on our environment.
Numeracy Bootcamp
Miss Georgie has been working hard this term to support both teachers and students with their numeracy needs in mainstream classes and the Small Groups Class space This work involves thae entire Maths team leading students on a ‘numeracy bootcamp’ for the first 4 weeks of term, focusing on mindset, place value and strategies for the four operations. Here are some examples from Miss Mavec’s and Miss Rajinder’s classrooms with students modelling decimal place value with play dough – some very neat tenths and hundredths. Thank you, Miss Georgie!
Stars Foundation Update
We are back in action here at Stars, with a great start to 2024!
Our Stars students have been shining bright this term! They’ve been super busy during contact times decorating the Stars room, creating a stunning space that truly reflects their ownership. In addition, they’ve been diving into the world of healthy eating foods, whipping up delicious smoothies to beat the heat. We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with the ‘Congress Right Tracks’ team for Term 1. During contact times we will be focusing on teamwork and setting challenges for engaging team building activities.
Several of our Year 8 and 9 students also took part in the Stars swimming carnival at Yirara College. Which is an annual event where academies from the central region unite, encouraging new connections and friendships. Unfortunately, Tennant Creek were not able to join us; however, we were able to spend the day participating in swimming races and swimming challenges with the Alice Springs academies which was so much fun! The girls demonstrated the Stars Values during the whole day, showing honesty, respect, commitment, and pride.
Looking ahead, we have an array of exciting activities lined up, including International Women’s Day celebrations, the ‘Leaders of Tomorrow’ workshop and much more. As we eagerly anticipate the weeks ahead, we’re confident that our Stars Students will continue to smash their personal and attendance goals. It’s been a positive start to the year, and we’re determined to maintain this momentum throughout the remainder of the term.
-STARS
LEaD Committee Invitation
CMS hopes to start a LEaD Committee (Local Engagement and Decision-making), similar to the old ASSPA committee. This will be another way for Aboriginal families to have a voice and suggest ways we can work together for better educational outcomes for all our young people.
CMS LEaD Committee Meeting
- Thursday 9th May, 5-6 pm
- CMS Library
- Supper provided
- Please RSVP to Leigh Stanton, Rachel Abbott or Gordon Mallard (89552333) or just come!
NT Music School
Community Announcements
Youth Recycled Art Prize
Alice Springs Town Council's Youth Recycled Art Prize is back for 2024 giving young people the opportunity to showcase their creativity by turning waste into a stunning work of Art!
Workshops - Youth Recycled Art
Want to learn about recycled art? Need inspiration to create your masterpiece for the Alice Springs Town Council Youth Recycled Art Prize? Come along to a free workshop!
Earth Day Boot Sale
Youth Skate Workshops
2024 Youth Conference
Young Carers Connect Session
Equal Futures Fair - New Date
Tournament of Minds Information Session
NBN Ask Me Anything
Drop in and learn more about the benefits of being online, hear about the upgrades to the nbn network, have your questions answered, get help with your devices, or learn to use a new device!
If you have a device, bring it along.
Stop by for any amount of time.
nbn™ & Alice Springs Public Library have limited devices available to borrow, contact the library to reserve but it is not a requirement to attend.
Contact the Alice Springs Public Library on 08 8950 0555 to RSVP.
Numbers are limited, RSVP is essential.
Legacy Bears - Scan the QR code to order yours today and support Veteran families.
Keep up to date with all our news and updates
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