3 minute read
Junior Secondary School
Year 7s leap at opportunities
Year 7 at MLC features a student-centred transition program and a Home Group environment that is familiar to students moving from primary school. But alongside this dedicated support framework, MLC creates serious excitement about the move to secondary school.
“Year 7 students quickly become immersed in all the incredible opportunities available to them,” says Head of Junior Secondary School, Cathie Ireland. Four students describe the new experiences they have embraced in Year 7:
Xinyan (Ashleigh) Zhou, Year 7
MLC ladles out possibilities like soup! I joined the Rainbow Alliance, the Green Team and Sci-Fi clubs. With my cello, I played in the Amati Strings Ensemble. As well as GSV sport, I enjoyed strength and conditioning and cross country. MLC Banksia tops the list of my favourite Year 7 experiences: quality time in nature, jumping off the pier after canoeing, and the best food I have ever eaten! The French Immersion program has undoubtedly improved my Français...I hope Madame can agree. The Nicholas Learning Centre has 3D printers, projection screens, snazzy carpets, some of the coolest chairs I’ve ever seen, and the rooftop terrace, which my friends and I absolutely love.
Caitlin Humphries, Year 7
I absolutely loved learning to cross country ski on the ski camp. I found new friendships among my year level and met girls from the years above me. I joined the MLC Stars netball club and am a flautist in the Flockart Band. I am in the cross country group and competed in GSV swimming, triathlon, athletics and volleyball. One thing that really stands out at MLC is the vast opportunities to learn. I competed in the Da Vinci Decathlon with 19 other Year 7 students. We all seemed to share a passion to strive and do well. The Nicholas Learning Centre is amazing. Being able to write on the erasable tables, walls and even doors is fantastic for group work and lots of fun!
Year 7 student, Emma Ward and friends have also enjoyed the transition to secondary school life, despite the year’s challenges.
Xinyan’s favourite moment at MLC Banksia was jumping in the water after canoeing.
Emily Franco, Year 7
I have loved extension opportunities such as the Da Vinci Decathlon, the Ethics Olympiad and Compass Mathematics. I felt privileged to represent MLC in the 2021 Giving Day video and to be elected Home Group Captain and SRC representative for Cato. Being at an all-girls school has also made a world of difference. I am able to focus more without the cacophony of noise every time I walk into a classroom! English is my favourite subject but I love Drama too.
I have participated in the Cath Moore writer’s workshop, House debating, the Compass Philosophy Club and the athletics and cross country teams. MLC Banksia was an experience I will never forget.
Alice van Onselen, Year 7
I have loved everything about Year 7. My favourite sport was diving. I overcame my fear of heights and learnt so many great skills and tricks! One of my favourite subjects is Woodwork. To design a lamp, I used Adobe Illustrator to make my sketches come to life. After the laser cutter printed my design, I used different tools to cut and create the base of my lamp. It was such a different, exciting and rewarding project! I loved Speech and Drama club and House Cheerleading. I also competed in GSV netball and joined the MLC Stars.
Cathie Ireland, Head of Junior Secondary School
