Leader of Learning – Integrated Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment – Miss Lisa Romberg

“We define learning as the transformative process of taking in information that—when internalized and mixed with what we have experienced—changes what we know and builds on what we do. It’s based on input, process, and reflection. It is what changes us.” 

Assessments

Thank you to the many parents who have read the assessment policy. As we are at the peak time of assessments we greatly appreciate  your support and understanding of the requirements around absences from assessment tasks.

A reminder that for Year 7 and 8, a note from home to the class teacher is sufficient for students who miss an assessment task due to illness or misadventure.

For those in Year 9 to 11 a Medical certificate from a Doctor of Pharmacist is required for in-class tasks that are missed due to illness. This procedure promotes fairness and equity to all students for RoSA (Record of School Achievement) Grades which are submitted to NESA for students in Years 9 to 11. This College procedure is one followed by schools to ensure that students know and follow expectations which is particularly essential in Year 12. 

We understand at this time of the year that many students are unwell, particularly with the recent bout of COVID and respiratory infections going around. Please keep your daughters home if they are unwell, so that they can recover and also to prevent the spread of these infectious diseases.

Year Group	Summary: Letter	Summary: Missed Assessment Task Expectations	Term Schedules
7	Year 7 letter	Illness/Misadventure: Note from home to class teacher Absence due to Holiday Leave: Variation of Assessment Form Section VA – Student form	Term 2 link	Term 3 link  Term 4 link
8	Year 8 letter		Term 2 link	Term 3 link  Term 4 link
9	Year 9 letter	Unforeseen Absence 9-12Illness/Misadventure:  Medical Certificate covering complete absence OR Independent Evidence Independent Evidence of Illness or Misadventure Advice AND College Illness Misadventure Section A – Student form Known Absence 9-12  Due to Leave, Sports representation, Specialist Appointments other…. Application for Leave to the PrincipalVariation of Assessment Form Section VA – Student form	Term 2 link	Term 3 link  Term 4 link
10	Year 10 letter		Term 2 link	Term 3 link  Term 4 link
11	ppt		Term 2 link	Term 3 link

Year 7-10 Parent, Student Teacher Conferences

We look forward to discussing your daughter’s learning in Semester 1 with you at the end of this term during our Parent, Student, Teacher Conferences 

Please save the dates: 

Thursday 4 July – 3:30-7:45pm

Friday 5 July –  9:00am-1:00pm

Reports will be released on Wednesday 3 July. 

NEWMAN Symposium

For students in the NEWMAN cluster classes, students will be starting our NEWMAN Symposium planning and production this term. This symposium will be held in Term 3 and all students involved are expected to attend this symposium. We ask that parents assist their daughter’s to clear the afternoon calendar for  Monday 14 August. We look forward to the many wonderful and creative projects that the girls will produce.

Starting Assignments Straight Away: Why It’s Crucial for Success

Ever leave your assignments until the last minute? Procrastination might seem harmless, but it can lead to unnecessary stress and lower-quality work. Here are four compelling reasons to start working on your assignments immediately:

1. Get Your Brain Thinking About the Topic

At the very least, read through the requirements of the assignment on the day you receive it. Even if you’re not actively working on it, your subconscious will begin processing the information. This early engagement can help you come up with ideas and understand the scope of the assignment more thoroughly.

2. Find Library Resources

Although the internet offers a wealth of information, the school library is also a valuable resource. Drop in soon after receiving the assignment. Reference books, academic journals, and magazines are often in high demand and can disappear quickly. Relying solely on Google may limit the depth and quality of your research. Your librarian is a great ally in your research. Librarians can guide you to relevant books, journals, and digital resources that you might not find on your own.

3. Starting Early Means More Time to Explore & Ask for Help

Starting your research early gives you more time to dive deep into your topic. Use a variety of sources such as the library, teacher references, school textbooks, and reliable internet resources. If you start early, you can identify gaps in your understanding and have ample time to ask your teacher for clarification or additional help.

4. Create a Safety Net

Life is unpredictable. Starting your assignment immediately creates a buffer for unforeseen events like illness or emergencies. A well-planned schedule that allows for the unexpected ensures you have enough time to complete your assignment without unnecessary stress.

Additional Tips for Effective Assignment Management

Break Down the Assignment

Divide your assignment into smaller, manageable tasks. Create a timeline with specific goals for each day or week. This will help you stay organized and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Stay Organised

Keep all your research materials, notes, and drafts in one place. Use folders, both physical and digital, to categorize information by topic or section of your assignment. This organization will save you time and keep your work streamlined.

Set Specific Goals

Set clear, achievable goals for each study session. For example, aim to complete a specific section of your assignment or gather a certain number of sources. This focused approach will keep you motivated and on track.

Take Breaks

While it’s important to start early and stay on task, it’s equally important to take regular breaks. Short breaks can help you stay refreshed and maintain a high level of productivity.

Review and Revise

Once you’ve completed your assignment, take time to review and revise it. Check for any grammatical errors, ensure all your sources are properly cited, and verify that your arguments are coherent and well-supported.

By starting your assignments as soon as possible and following these tips, you can reduce stress, improve the quality of your work, and achieve better academic results.

You can learn more about being more effective with assessments in the ASSIGNMENT SKILLS unit of www.studyskillshandbook.com.au by logging in with these details:

School username: OLMBurraneer

School password: Mercy

Monday Afternoon Open Learning

If your daughter is interested in participating in Monday Afternoon Open Learning please give permission on COMPASS Event: Monday Afternoon Open Learning OR complete the permission note in the letter and return to the College library.

ICAS Tests

Our Lady of Mercy Catholic College is pleased to invite students to participate in the ICAS Assessments^TM in Term 3 this year.

ICAS is designed to target students’ higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Science and we have recently added Mathematics. Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition and development. Every student will receive a printed certificate and an online results report. Top performers will be eligible for medals and are invited to attend special award ceremonies to have their academic excellence publicly recognised. 

We encourage you to consider entering your daughter into ICAS this year. The opportunity to sit ICAS assessments at OLMC will continue to be optional, and students may sit one or all of the assessments on offer at OLMC. The assessments are suitable for students wishing to extend themselves academically and take up the personal challenge of competing in an international assessment that has been running for 40 years. Your daughter will be presented with high-quality, expert-developed questions, allowing them to apply their learning without the need for prior study or revision. 

2024 Participation – Parent payment system 

Our school has signed up for the ICAS Assessments parent payment system (PPS) for all assessments. Through this system parents can pay for ICAS directly online while tests will still be held at our school. Please use the following details to register and pay for your daughter no later than Friday, 26 July (Term 3 Week 1). 

Access details for parents

OLM parent page link is: https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps

OLM school access code is: GFC685