Year 7 @ MSSC

1. Year 7@MSSC Junior Secondary @ MSSC College Processes & Procedures

2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_rZAyza6yk Junior Secondary @ MSSC

3. The focus of the Junior Secondary years Junior Secondary provides the link between upper primary and senior secondary, with a focus on: Trying new subjects Literacy and numeracy Exploring different learning spaces, e.g. science laboratory Working with different teaching styles and class groups Building independence as a learner

4. Junior Secondary students and the stages of adolescence Images by Lime Photography

5. The roller coaster that is young adolescents… • Physical Characteristics • Girls are often taller and more physically advanced than boys in the earlier stages of adolescence. • Uneven bone-muscle growth and/or disproportionate changes in weight and muscle development result in awkwardness. • Cartilage in certain skeletal areas (e.g., tailbone) hardens. • Sexual maturation often occurs. • Periods of extreme restlessness alternate with fatigue. • Chemical and hormonal imbalances often occur. • Rapid growth results in increased nutritional demands. • Physical movement, rest, and change of activity are all necessary. Junior Secondary @ MSSC

6. Intellectual Characteristics • Enjoys both intellectual and physical activities • Prefers active involvement in learning • Motivated to learn when lessons are related to real life • Argues to clarify own thinking and to convince others • Possesses a vivid imagination • Exhibits independent, critical thinking • Forgets easily because his/her mind is so preoccupied • Begins to understand abstract ideas (but research indicates that many remain in concrete operations stage) • Makes personal-social concerns a priority over academic matters • Likes to discuss experiences with adults • Shows intense curiosity about the world and him/herself • Forms long-lasting attitudes about learning • Begins thinking about own thinking (metacognition) Junior Secondary @ MSSC

7. Social Characteristics • Desires to make personal choices • Desires social acceptance • Seeks peer relationships in order to conform to group norms • Has more interest in relations with the opposite sex, but same sex friendships dominate • Vacillates between desire for regulation and direction and desire for independence • Wants identification with adults but not always willing to accept their suggestions • Tests limits of acceptable behaviours • Needs frequent reinforcement that significant adults including parents care • Diminishes family allegiances and strengthens peer allegiances but still strongly dependent upon parental values • Is frightened by new settings, including school • Easily loses track of time • Likes fads, especially those shunned by adults • Needs moderate amounts of time alone, in order to regroup and reflect on daily experiences • Feels vulnerable to social inequities Junior Secondary @ MSSC

8. Emotional Characteristics • Relates self-esteem and self-concept to degree of physical development • Questions whether he or she is normal as related to physical appearance and development • Begins to deal with and understand nuances and “shades of grey” • Experiences simultaneous emotional conflicts • Desires attention, sometimes without regard to how it is secured • Shifts moods rapidly • Can become rebellious toward adults • Is easy to offend, sensitive to criticism • Believes adults do not understand • May be inconsiderate of others • Shows optimism, hope for the future • Displays prankish sense of humour • Values direct experience in participatory democracy • Observes flaws in others easily but slow to acknowledge own • Believes personal problems, experiences, and feeling are unique to self • Searches for the answer to “Who am I?” Junior Secondary @ MSSC

9. We’re all in it together…. Parent participation can lead to: • improved grades, increased enrolment in higher level programs, higher graduation rates, and a greater likelihood of participation in postsecondary education • more regular school attendance, better social skills, improved behaviour, and a greater sense of personal interest in learning. Junior Secondary @ MSSC

10. What they may experience… Emotions and feelings… • lost and confused before they orient themselves to the new situation • grief for their old school and old friends • lonely and unhappy until they make new friends • anxious that they will not be able to cope with the new demands for learning • worried that they will not be "one of the group" • worried that they will not live up to their parents' expectations • tired and irritable with all the new demands • fearful about being bullied. Behaviour … • being irritable and short tempered • being disagreeable or not wanting to talk to you • sometimes wanting to be treated as an adult, other times wanting to be a child again • changing behaviour in order to impress, eg silliness or rebelling against parents • tummy aches, head aches or not wanting to go to school. Junior Secondary @ MSSC

11. Step up in work and expectations: • Students must follow deadlines • Homework will increase (homework matrix) • Will need to work on assignments at home (time in class will be provided) • Organise themselves • Use College Planner regularly • Sign up for extra curricular activities • Get involved in College life Help them prepare… • Organisation (particularly use of student planner). • Having a study space. • Regularly check and sign student planner. • Have assessment calendar on display • Monitor computer and phone use (especially late at night). • Keep in contact with teachers. Junior Secondary @ MSSC

12. Subjects in Year 7

13. Student Planner:

14. Junior Secondary @ MSSC

15. Assessment: Junior Secondary @ MSSC

16. Academic Support Structures at MSSC Connect/Core Teacher Leader of Learning for that subject Head of Year Deputy Principal Principal Junior Secondary @ MSSC

17. Student Services Support Structures at MSSC Principal & Deputy Principals Student Management Coaches Guidance Officer College Nurse Leader of Learning – Teaching and Learning Chaplain Head of Special Education Junior Secondary @ MSSC

18. Student Services Support Structures at MSSC • Guidance Officer support can take the form of: • Group or individual counselling • Cognitive or behavioural assessment • Careers day and careers counselling • Facilitating Peer Leader work with Murrumba’s ‘Stand Together’ anti-bullying policy • Referral to outside agencies for support • Parents and students can make appointments to see the Guidance Officer via the College administration. Junior Secondary @ MSSC

19. Frequently asked questions… Q. When do I wear my sports uniform? A. On the day you have HPE and inter-school sport. • What if I wear the wrong uniform? • Bring a note from home. Q. What if I am late? A. Bring a note from home or get parents to call the College. Q. What if I am away? • Write a note in your diary or get parents to call the College. • Will I get a detention if I don’t bring a note for my uniform? • Yes (20 minutes at lunchtime). • If I don’t do my homework? • Yes. Junior Secondary @ MSSC

20. Year 7 Camp In Term 1 our Year 7 students attend a Wilderness Camp at Glastonbury Gympie. Junior Secondary @ MSSC

21. Nuts and Bolts of Week One • What to bring Day One • Uniforms and uniform shop opening times • Stationary / resources • Ipads • Contacting teachers • SRS payments • Instrumental music • Tours • What to expect in the first 2 weeks Junior Secondary @ MSSC

22. Junior Secondary @ MSSC

23. Parent Handbook Junior Secondary @ MSSC

24. Questions… Junior Secondary @ MSSC