Week 9 Friday 28 March 2025

Important dates

Hello, Werte!

Hello (Werte)

Ampe mape anwerne-kenhe tyeperre anthurre aneme.

Anwerne apurtele warrkirreme apeke, anwerne warrke mwerre anthurre mpwareme.

(Our children are important for our future. If we work together, we achieve impressive results)

Welcome to the end-of-term edition of the Centralian Middle School Newsletter! As term one wraps up and we shift focus to the next three terms, we're proud to celebrate the significant learning and achievements witnessed across our classrooms. From challenging assessment tasks to innovative projects, our students have shown remarkable dedication and progress.

Throughout this term, many of our pupils have also exemplified positive behaviour, contributing to a vibrant, supportive and culturally safe school environment. It is encouraging to observe our Year 7 students successfully navigating the social and academic intricacies of middle school, Year 8 students consolidating their first year of middle school and working towards the last lap of middle schooling and the Year 9 students stepping up to the challenge of being the school leaders.

This blossoming spirit of collaboration and focus continues outside the classroom with our exciting co-curricular programs, such as the energetic ‘GUTS Dance’, Year 9 VET Programs and the enriching ‘G Training’, which have captured the enthusiasm and participation of many. Most students will receive a progress report posted home to families at the end of term. Students in Small Group classes will hear progress updates in EAP meetings. These forms of feedback are great opportunities for you, our families, to have conversations with your young people on ways to enhance learning outcomes. I encourage families to contact the school through the Team Leaders if there are questions about your young person’s progress.

Looking ahead, we are thrilled to announce our upcoming celebration of Harmony Day on Friday, April 4th, where we will honour the rich tapestry of cultures within our Centralian Middle School community. Join us in this meaningful celebration of diversity and unity!

To staff and students, l would like to once again congratulate you on a successful first part of our 2025 journey. To you our families and other partners, thank you for your support. This is another promising year. Embrace this well-earned week break and stay safe.

Regards

Wellington Pasi

Assistant Principal

Proposal for Secondary Education Reform

Proposal for Secondary Education Reform

Leaders from the Department of Education and Training recently met with our School Council and CMS staff to share information about how the proposed reform of secondary education could be implemented. The NT Government has accepted all recommendations of the Review of Secondary Education including moving away from the middle school model of 7-9 at CMS and 10-12 at Centralian Senior College and establishing comprehensive schools over time. 

The proposed future design of secondary eduacation in Alice Springs is to create one comprehensive secondary school (7-12) and one Regional Industry, Trade and Flexible Education Hub. It is proposed that the comprehensive secondary school will be at the current Centralian Middle School, and the industry, Trade and Flexible Hub will be at the current Centralian Senior College. An information sheet will be sent to families.

Families are encouraged to share feedback via the survey: https://forms.office.com/r/YMvADrz3K6?origin=lprLink

Rich Learning Experiences

Students in Year 7 and 9 have now completed their NAPLAN tests for the year. In classes across the school, teachers are providing a variety of rich learning experiences. Here are just a few examples: Bunsen burner licenses in Year 7, Clean Up Australia day activities in Year 9 Science, a new Year 8 Contact Time class on bike maintenance, Cert I in Construction and Cert I in Hospitality, Student Leaders working on their communication skills and meeting protocols.

School Council

Thanks and congratulations to the 2025 CMS School Council who were confirmed at the AGM on 13^th March the AGM was well attended.

• Chair: Rohan Barwick (parent)
• Treasurer: Kaleem Ullah (parent)
• Secretary/Teacher Reps: Jemma Seddon, Ed Gould
• Parent Reps: Rick Duncum, Cassie Arnold, James Young, Christina Donohue, Jemma Cann.

School Council will meet with the same leaders on Thursday.

Good Stuff

VET Construction Year 9 students are on the tools each Thursday at Desert Knowledge with Lecturer, Dan Mar Fan.

Student Leaders meet each Monday with Brad and Glenda. They have been working on meeting protocols and active communication, starting with a fun ice breaker.

STARS

International Women's Day Celebration- Stars celebrated International Women’s Day by hosting a lunch in the Stars room. We were fortunate to have Lulu from the Sydney Swans join us to share her journey in the AFL. She also promoted the upcoming all female school holiday clinic, scheduled for April 10^th and 12^th.

Harmony Day celebrations- During contact times, students decorated their own unique handprints to contribute to our Harmony Tree. They also brainstormed what harmony meant to them, and these meaningful words were added to the tree. Students and staff celebrated Harmony Day in the Stars room, enjoying food from various cultures and participating in face painting activities.

HARMONY DAY

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HPE

Tri-Tag Clinics

Over the past few weeks, our students have had an incredible opportunity to learn and develop their rugby skills with Billy from Rugby Australia! Through the exciting game of Tri-Tag and engaging rugby clinics, students have been building confidence, teamwork, and agility while being introduced to the fundamentals of rugby union.

Each Friday, students stepped out of their comfort zones by working in combined class cohorts, challenging themselves in a fun and supportive environment. These rugby clinics not only enhanced their understanding of the game but also fostered resilience, collaboration, and a sense of achievement.

A huge thank you to Billy and Rugby Australia for delivering such an engaging and rewarding experience for our students. We look forward to seeing these newfound skills and confidence continue to grow both on and off the field!

Lunch Time Weights Program & Top End Club Comp

On April 6th, some CMS students will head to Darwin to compete in the Top End Club Competition as part of Alice Springs Barbell, led by coach and school staff member Callum Downie.

Callum has run a lunchtime weightlifting program, helping students develop strength, confidence, and technique. For some, this has led to joining Alice Springs Barbell and taking their training further.

Students have been working hard in preparation, refining their skills and supporting each other as a team. We wish them all the best and look forward to celebrating their achievements!

Excursions

As our recent excursions come to a close, Centralian Middle School students have made the most of their opportunities to learn, grow, and represent our school with pride.

Year 8 students developed their basketball and netball skills, honing their techniques and showcasing the values of CMS in the wider community. Their enthusiasm and sportsmanship were evident as they put their skills into action.

Meanwhile, Year 9 students took on ultimate frisbee and Australian handball, focusing on teamwork, refining their techniques, and strengthening their bond as a team. Through these activities, they embraced challenges, supported each other, and showed great resilience.

We’re excited to continue these experiences in Term 2, with Year 8 students focusing on soccer and Year 9 students taking on lacrosse and field hockey. We look forward to seeing their skills and teamwork develop even further!

HPE

YEAR 7 SCIENCE

In Science Year 7s are learning about separation techniques and which ones will separate solutions. In Week 8 we looked at filtration and magnetic separation. In Week 9 we are looking at sieving, evaporation and distillation. In Week 10 they will need to use the skills they have learnt to separate a mixture on their own!

General Information 2025

Uniform Shop

Student Access (opposite the CMS Front Office) will be open for purchasing uniforms and stationery packs.

Opening hours are:

Monday - Friday 8:30-4pm

It's been great to see so many of our students embracing the new CMS School Uniform.  The new polo shirt is accompanied by a royal blue hoodie with the embroidered CMS logo and black shorts or trackpants. 

Term 1 we will accept either the old or the new uniform as families make the change over.

Back to School Vouchers

The government is again providing a $200 back to school payment which can be spent at the school to help with the purchases of uniform, stationery and swimming costs.

Vouchers expire end of Term 1

Please note, vouchers need to be used or allocated to cover future costs (e.g. swimming costs) before the end of Term 1. Any unused or unallocated funds at the end of Term 1 are forfeited. 

Parental Contribution

School Council has set the 2025 Parental Contribution amount at $100 per student. 

Free internet for eligible families extended

The School Student Broadband Initiative is a Federal Government voucher system that aims to make at-home internet connection affordable for all families with school-aged children. Eligible families can access free internet until 30 June 2028.

Applications need to be made by 30 June 2028.

To apply:

1. Contact the National Referral Centre on 1800 954 610, from Monday to Friday 10am - 6pm (AEDT) or visit anglicarevic.org.au/student-internet.
2. Responding to questions that assess your eligibility.
3. Eligible families will be provided with a voucher they can use to connect to their chosen participating internet provider.
4. Connect before June 30, 2028.

Community Announcements