Leader of Learning – Integrated Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment – Lisa Romberg
Academic Awards – Semester 1
The Principal’s Award for Academic Excellence – Years 7-10 ONLY: awarded to students who have attained an A grade in ALL but 3 subjects of the total number of subjects studied
- Year 7 a total of 6 or more subjects
- Year 8 a total of 7 or more subjects
- Year 9 & 10 a total of 5 or more subjects
The Principal’s Acknowledgement Letter for Commitment to Learning 7-12: awarded to students who have achieved ALL or ALL bar ONE ‘consistently’ in ALL aspects of Commitment to Learning across their Semester report.
Year 7 award recipients
Principal’s Award for Academic Excellence and the Principal’s Acknowledgement Letter for Commitment to Learning:
| Layla Becker |
| Josephine Davis |
| Lillian Greaves |
| Madeleine Smith |
| Harper Zmuda |
Principal’s Acknowledgement Letter for Commitment to Learning
| Scarlett Allen | Ophellia Katsidis | Gloria Ray Gallego |
| Esme Bowring | Ava Kopke | Chloe Reid |
| Emma Broadhurst | Natasha Krupp | Abigail Russell |
| Alba Buckley | Matilda Langshaw | Emme Sanders |
| Ellanore Cooper | Veronica Low | India Sebastian |
| Emilia Danysz | Imogen Marinos | Abby Stiles |
| Harper Evans | Miranda Martin | Grace Stonham |
| Lucy Fietz | Chloe Mckenzie-Matteson | Petra Sullivan |
| Parthena Hakim | Luara McKinlay | Amaya Syed |
| Tahlia Hore | Chloe McLintock | Annabelle Terry |
| Ruby Howlett | Elyse Murray | Liana Thomas |
| Alba Hurst | Jessica Natoli | Victoria Trajcevski |
| Alexandra Jabel | Emily Parsonage | Alexis Usher |
| Jessica Johnson | Lilla Parsons | Ava Walkerden |
| Mia Jury | Abigail Perinich | Sophy Wang |
| Alana Pignatelli | Gabriella Welsh |
Year 8 award recipients
Principal’s Award for Academic Excellence
| Alice Donohoe |
Principal’s Award for Academic Excellence and the Principal’s Acknowledgement Letter for Commitment to Learning:
| Amelia Andrighetto |
| Frankie Grocott |
| Charlotte Kain-Blatch |
| Eila Ponder |
| Elsa Schmidt-Liermann |
The Principal’s Acknowledgement Letter for Commitment to Learning
| Ava Allouche |
| Zoe Andrews |
| Stella Bloom |
| Lauren Cuddihy |
| Charlie Doyle |
| Annabelle Khoury |
| Ava Moroney |
| Kami Nguyen |
| Nellie Schembri |
| Sandra Vasinova |
| Mia You |
Year 9 award recipients
Principal’s Award for Academic Excellence and the Principal’s Acknowledgement Letter for Commitment to Learning
| Lillian Bowring |
| Katherine Chen |
| Sophie George |
| Jessica Hammon |
| Tamarli Haydon |
| Emma Romyn |
The Principal’s Acknowledgement Letter for Commitment to Learning
| Jasmine Barnes | Isabella Natoli |
| Penelope Crimmins | Gianna Russell |
| Olivia Douglas | Zara Salmon |
| Anna Govindrulu | Holly Sims |
| Annabelle Hardy | Hayley Stewart |
| Jayde Hartup | Chelsea Sumagui |
| Sophia Iffland | Jenai Taleyarkhan |
| Emily Lewis | Dana Trajcevski |
| Molly Lewis | Deanna Tsotras |
| Charlotte Libro | Sienna Wood |
| Hannah McConnell |
Year 10 award recipients
Principal’s Award for Academic Excellence
| Rosalie Barnes |
| Amabel Garvin |
| Melina Hetherington |
| Allegra Little |
| Isabella Prany |
| Mia-Grace Schembri |
| Skyla Sleeman |
| Avy Stockwell |
| Nikita Sullivan |
Principal’s Award for Academic Excellence and the Principal’s Acknowledgement Letter for Commitment to Learning
| Charlotte Burton |
| Linh Cao |
| Sophie Carrig |
| Sahara Hannon |
| Isabelle Hargreaves |
| Isabel Lamb |
| Addison Metcalfe |
| Mia Murray |
| Sage Nicholson |
| Rosalie O’Connor |
| Kayla Sewell |
| Jessica Tassone |
| Roma Taylor |
| Scarlett Tsigolis |
| Layla White |
| Hayley Woods |
The Principal’s Acknowledgement Letter for Commitment to Learning
| Alexis Barnes |
| Sienna Dunham |
| Charli Liu |
| Amber Sullivan |
| Eve Wilson |
Year 11 award recipients
The Principal’s Acknowledgement Letter for Commitment to Learning
| Camila Alispahic |
| Amelia Baillon |
| Madeline Calabro |
| Selena Contarino |
| Daniella Edwards |
| Chloe English |
| Sophie Hammon |
| Sophie Mooney |
| Isabelle O’Brien |
| Catherine Palamara |
| Isabella Smith |
| Angel Tawanda |
Year 12 award recipients
The Principal’s Acknowledgement Letter for Commitment to Learning
| Chanel Beydoun |
| Amber Buckland |
| Amelia Buhagiar |
| Angelina De Frenza |
| Zarina Gill |
| Kaytlin Gindy |
| Amber Govindrulu |
| Christiana Kyriakides |
| Elani Moshous |
| Mya Moutevelis |
| Jana Nikolakopoulos |
| Mia Rajkovic |
| Sofia von der Hocht |
| Olivia Wellington |
Assessment
Please take time to read the handbook with your daughter’s taking note of assessment dates using the term planners. Links to these are provided in the table below.
We ask that if you have regular medical/dental appointments that you please try and avoid dates of assessment tasks. If you are able to reschedule any appointments that have already been made, that would be appreciated.
We encourage you to be aware of the expectations of your daughter if she is absent for a task.
Taking responsibility for her own learning is part of your daughter’s educational journey, thank you for supporting us in assisting your daughter grow in this area.
Summary of Missed Assessment Task expectations and Term Schedules
| Year Group | Summary: Missed Assessment Task Expectations | Term Schedules |
| 7 | Illness/Misadventure: Note from home to class teacher Known Absence: Due to Leave, Sports representation, Specialist Appointments other…. Application for Leave to the PrincipalVariation of Assessment Form Section VA – Student form | Term 3 link Term 4 link |
| 8 | Term 3 link Term 4 link | |
| 9 | Unforeseen Absence 9-12Illness/Misadventure: College Illness Misadventure Section A – Student form AND Independent supporting evidence such as a Medical Certificate covering complete absence Independent Evidence of Illness or Misadventure Advice 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 3 link Term 4 link |
| 10 | Term 3 link Term 4 link | |
| 11 | Term 3 link | |
| 12 | Term 3 link |
Handling Digital Overload
How to Stay Focused in a World Full of Distractions
Screens are everywhere—smartphones, laptops, tablets—and while they’re essential for learning, they can easily become a source of distraction. Between endless notifications, social media feeds, and gaming apps, it’s easy to lose focus and waste hours. Managing digital overload is key to staying productive and maintaining balance. Here’s how you can regain control of your screen time and use technology as a tool for success.
1. Set Digital Boundaries
To stay focused, establish clear boundaries for when and how you use your devices. For example:
- Turn Off Notifications: Silence alerts during study time to avoid interruptions.
- Create a Study-Only Space: Designate certain areas, like your desk, as screen-free zones for non-study activities.
- Set Screen Time Limits: Many smartphones have features that let you track and limit time spent on specific apps.
Tip: Use apps like Focus Keeper or Forest, which gamify productivity by encouraging you to stay off your phone.
2. Schedule Regular Screen Breaks
Staring at screens for long periods isn’t just distracting—it’s also tiring for your eyes and mind. Breaks help you refresh and refocus. A great method is the 20-20-20 rule:
- Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
In addition, try incorporating non-screen activities into your routine. Read a physical book, go for a walk, or practice a hobby to give your brain a break from digital input.
Tip: Use break time to stretch, hydrate, or grab a healthy snack—these habits boost both focus and well-being.
3. Use Technology to Your Advantage
While screens can be distracting, they’re also powerful tools when used wisely. Leverage apps and digital tools that help you stay organized and productive:
- Google Keep or Notion: For organizing tasks and notes.
- Quizlet: For studying with digital flashcards.
- StayFocusd or Freedom: To block distracting websites during study sessions.
Tip: When using your laptop, keep only one tab open at a time to maintain focus. Avoid the temptation of multi-tasking with multiple tabs.
4. Unplug Before Bedtime
Excessive screen time, especially at night, can interfere with your sleep cycle. The blue light emitted by devices reduces melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep. To combat this:
- Turn Off Devices an Hour Before Bed: Swap screens for relaxing activities like reading or journaling.
- Use Night Mode: If you must use a device, enable night mode to reduce blue light exposure.
Tip: Create a bedtime ritual that signals your body it’s time to wind down, such as a short meditation or light stretching.
Balance Is Key
Digital devices are an essential part of life, but they shouldn’t dominate your time or attention. By setting boundaries, taking regular breaks, and using technology intentionally, you can stay focused and productive while maintaining balance. Remember, you control your screens—they don’t control you. Start making these changes today, and enjoy the benefits of a healthier relationship with technology.
You and your parents can learn more at www.studyskillshandbook.com.au by logging in with the details below and working through some of the units.
School username: OLMBurraneer
School password: Mercy
Tuesday Afternoon Open Learning
| Tuesday Afternoon Open Learning has started . This will be held in the Library each Tuesday afternoon from 3pm until 4pm. This time will provide students with the opportunity to collaborate with fellow students, complete any group tasks or learning experiences or provide a quiet space for study and home learning. In addition teachers will be available to assist students with their learning. This includes:assistance with time management and planningtips and tricks to developing study tools such as mind maps, study notes, flash cardssubject specialists who can help answer questions. |
Burraneer Best
Congratulations to the Burraneer Best Nominees
These students have been nominated by their class teachers as displaying a growth mindset in their learning. This has been demonstrated through areas such as:
- Growth in learning (eg pre-test to post-test)
- Attitudes to learning
- Accessing a grade level higher than demonstrated previously on the Common Grade Scale
- Clearly meeting Success Criteria
- Articulating and understanding Learning Intentions
- Mastery of new skills, attitudes and/or outcomes
- High level of engagement with formal and informal tasks
- Persistent / resilient dispositions for learning
- Articulation of learning goals
- Innovation and leadership skills displayed
- Working well with others in a collaborative environment
Recipients
Year 7 – Emma Broadhurst, Mia Dunham, Chloe McIntosh, Jessica Natoli
Year 8 – Kayla Hill, Rita-Adele Murr, Samara Sharratt, Allyra Sorensen
Year 9 – Kyla Brustolin, Isabella Crumlin, Alia Fahs
Year 10 – Sophie Carrig, Isabelle Hargreaves, Georgia Hatton, Isabel Lamb, Ellie Robertson
Year 11 – Camila Alispahic, Amelia Ballion, Sophie Hammon, Angel Tawanda
Year 12 – Amelia Buhagiar, Zarina Gill, Elani Moshous, Sofia von der Hocht
Nominees
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | Year 10 |
| Molly Anstey Layla Becker Isabella Belcev Emma Broadhurst x 2 Kiani Broughill Imogen Clancy Alyssa Dainton x 3 Emilia Danysz Chloe Demir Mia Dunham Madeleine Frost x 2 Lillian Greaves Emmi Hallett Charley Hawkins Skylar Heffernan Wednesday Hoggan Alba Hurst Natasha Krupp x 2 Tilly Langshaw Sienna Lauro x 3 Chloe McIntosh x 2 Chloe McLintock Isla Muir Jessica Natoli Emily Parsonage Abigail Perinich India Sebastian x 2 Ella Thomas Lexi Usher Avalon Wardrop- Robins Harper Zmuda x 2 | Ava Allouche Felicity Barnes Sophia Briggs Mary Chen x 2 Audrey Crombie-Brown Lauren Cuddihy Alice Donohoe Saira Gill Evangeline Girgis Madison Goldsmith Jessica Green Sierra Haywood Eva Hickson Kayla Hill Harper Hines Helen Huang Charlotte Kain-Blatch x 2 Annabelle Khoury Scarlett Kordovolos Meika McKinnon Ava McLean Charli Moses Piper Moss x 2 Rita-Adele Murr Kami Nguyen x 2 Eila Ponder Isla Renshaw x 2 Evie Ricio Nellie Schembri Samara Sharratt Allyra Sorensen Sandra Vasinova Zara Walsh Grace Whitelum Addison Wing | Charlee Baden Emily Brooks-Towers Kyla Brustolin Katherine Chen Penelope Crimmins Isabella Crumlin Olivia Douglas Alia Fahs Sofia Faraguna Molly Gargett Anna Govindrulu Ella Gumley Jessica Hammon Annabelle Hardy Tamarli Haydon Sophia Holford-Demasi Rebecca Hussein Lilliy Kate Mewton Rhianna Lacey Emily Lewis Molly Lewis Sophie Mathers Ella McGuinness x 2 Isabella Natoli Indie Ponder Emma Romyn Meika Rossini Isabella Rumolo x 2 Kayla Skapetis x 2 Liesl Spinner Chelsea Sumagui Jenai Taleyarkhan Deanna Tsotras Zoe Underwood x 2 Sienna Wood x 2 Ivy Yates | Alexis Barnes Tilly Rose Buchan x 2 Charlotte Burton Mandy Cao x 2 Sophie Carrig x 3 Olivia Colussi Clara Doyle Sienna Dunham x 2 Amabel Garvin Milan Goldsmith x 3 Phoenix Grady x 2 Sahara Hannon Isabelle Hargreaves x 2 Georgia Hatton Ruby Hoggan Reese Krouskos Isabel Lamb x 2 Gabrielle Lazaridis Josie McDonald Zulai McTackett Addison Metcalfe Sidonie Musq Lola Norton Dylan Rose O’Malley Isabella Petracca x 2 Isabella Prany x 2 Dakota Ramos Ellie Robertson Isla Russell Sabrina Salem x 2 Mia Grace Schembri Skyla Sleeman x 2 Ebony Smith x 2 Avy Stockwell Amber Sullivan x 4 Jessica Tassone x 2 Zara Vagg x 2 Maddison Vilivili Eve Wilson |
| Year 11 | Year 12 |
| Camila Alispahic x 3 Amelia Ballion x 3 Madeline Calabro Selena Contarino Daniella Edwards Chloe English Kobyfox Ennis Peta Gover x 2 Sophie Hammon x 2 Halle James Olivia Middlemiss x 3 Sophie Mooney x 2 Catherine Palamara x 3 Hannah Simonet Angel Tawanda | Amber Buckland x 3 Amelia Buhagiar x 2 Angelina De Frenza Zarina Gill x 2 Kaytlin Gindy x 4 Amber Govindrulu x 2 Christiana Kyriakides Elani Moshous x 2 Jana Nikolakopoulos Joumana Samir Sofia von der Hocht Olivia Wellington x 2 |
Lisa Romberg, Leader of Learning – Integrated Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment