Class Visits
Thank you to those students of 7MMB who welcomed me into their class last week. I was particularly impressed with the high level of engagement right up until 3.00 on a Friday afternoon. You are so lucky to have such an amazing teacher in Ms Springbett. Well done Year 7!
In Week 2 of Term 3, students in the EAGLE classes will participate in focus groups to provide feedback and formulate recommendations for improvement based on their experience of the academic enrichment program. These sessions will be facilitated by Ms White (HT Teaching and Learning) and Mrs Wells.
Year 7 English and Year 12 Business Studies - Student Interviews
Thank you to Ms Bartlett, Mrs Hunt and the students from these classes that participated in recorded interviews to discuss the learning intentions and success criteria used in their lessons. Students were asked to identify how this helps them to keep on track in their learning and know where the lesson is heading. Senior students could also identify the links to syllabus outcomes that enabled them to cross check their study planning and ensure they had covered all revision areas. Year 7 were able to identify elements of imaginative texts within a picture book and discuss metalanguage like similes and metaphors. These clips will be used as part of teacher professional development in Formative Assessment during the first day of school in Term 3.
Strengthening the HSC Support Strategy
As the next assessment period draws closer towards the end of this term, Year 11 and 12 students are encouraged to utilise Miss Schafer if they need help preparing and organising themselves to complete tasks and meet these deadlines.
Keep these things in mind:
- Pay attention. It's hard to slow down and notice things in a busy world.
- Live in the moment. Try to intentionally bring an open, accepting and discerning attention to everything you do.
- Accept yourself. Treat yourself the way you would treat a good friend.
- Focus on your breathing.
Q & A HSC Panel
A wellbeing morning tea for our Year 12 students was held earlier this week. It was a great chance for students and staff to 'give', 'connect' and 'take notice'. Thank you to Year Adviser Jodie Scheffler and her helpers for organisation and effort in catering.
Guest presenters from last year’s HSC cohort formed a ‘Q & A’ panel which allowed students to ask questions regarding pathways after the HSC and seek advice and information to help them consider their best options.
Feed forward interviews
On Monday, Year 12 participated in two Elevate study sessions; 'Ace Your Exam' and 'The Finishing Line'. This was timed to complement the feed-forward conferences that have been held over the past week with the Senior Study Tutor, Ms Schafer. Ms Schafer conducted a report reflection which outlined the best strategies for holiday preparation time leading into the Trial HSC exams. Parents were invited to join through phone conferencing to maximise their student's outcomes and offer support.
Further HSC supports are provided by the Futures Centre where they are currently assisting students with the completion of the HSC Minimum Standards Testing. Students have two extra opportunities to complete the tests as a result of COVID-19 changes. The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) introduced the HSC Minimum Standards Test to help ensure students have the key literacy and numeracy skills for life after school.
Students in New South Wales need to demonstrate a minimum standard of literacy and numeracy. To receive the HSC credential students are required to meet the HSC minimum standard in reading, writing and numeracy. The three tests are taken online and each is 45 minutes long. The testing included:
- a multiple choice test for reading
- a multiple choice test for numeracy
- a test for writing based on a written or visual prompt.
Year 12 are also being very active in completing their UAC (University Admissions Centre) applications. Many students have already applied for the Schools Recommendation Scheme which is one way that institutions make early offers of undergraduate admission to Year 12 students, using criteria other than (or in addition to) the ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank).
