From the Principal
Welcome back to Miss Jenny Vu and our World Youth Day pilgrims.
A full report of their adventures will follow in our next newsletter.
Returning last week, I extend much gratitude and thanks to Mrs Alvarez and Mr Hodges for their capable leadership of the College while I was on Professional Renewal leave. I found my time at Harvard professionally enriching and uplifting. The Harvard motto of “Learn to Change the World”
inspires and endorses our own MSCW priority on the importance of learning. It is through learning that we have an opportunity to make positive changes to our world – both individual and the broader world. The particular study I engaged in was Leadership of Family Engagement in Education: Creating Effective Home and School Partnerships. The chief lecturer, Dr Karen Mapp, is a leading expert in the field of effective Family Engagement, having spent her career as a teacher, leader in educational systems, researcher and lecturer.
Dr Mapp presented the definition of Family Engagement as a full, equal, and equitable partnership among families, educators and community partners to promote children’s learning and development from birth through college and career.
Unlike family involvement which specifically focuses on individual responsibility and one-way communication, Family Engagement, focuses on the collective responsibility. This means that equally collaborative partnerships between home and school, characterised by consistent two-way communication leads to transformative relationships and improved student outcomes.
This leaves us, both school and home, to reflect on our current approach to Family Engagement here at Marist Sisters’ College, especially in the post-Covid sense, and to examine the best ways to engage as equal partners in the education of our girls. This will be part of discussions with staff and parents as our next steps: Do we currently engage in effective and equitable partnerships between home and school? How can we improve this practice?
Year 12 News
The Higher School Certificate (HSC) Trial Examinations conclude on Monday. I would like to commend our Year 12 students on the manner in which they prepared for these exams. The Trials represent a rigorous ‘dry-run’ before the HSC and often point to areas which either require more attention or confirm areas which have been well consolidated. Discussions with students have been marked by relative calmness, a reassuring feeling of being prepared for these exams and an obvious determination to achieve their possible best. Following these examinations, the students will be completing each of their HSC courses, which includes final practical presentation and project submissions as well as continued revision further for the HSC. It is crucial that this time be used effectively. These next 10 weeks can add significant value to their HSC outcome. On return in Term 4, the HSC begins on Wednesday 11 October.
Please continue to keep our Year 12 girls in your prayers during this time.
We are currently in planning for our celebrations to farewell and commemorate the contribution of our Year 12 girls as they finish their 6-year journey at the College. More details will be provided in coming days.
Year 11 Preliminary examinations
Over the next couple of weeks, Year 11 are preparing to conclude their HSC Preliminary courses. They will begin exams on 5 September. Consistent effort now is the best investment for setting them up for success to begin their HSC courses in Term 4.
NOW is the time to activate your PLAN, then set mini GOALS to maximise work and study over the next 10 weeks.
