Leader of Learning – Integrated Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment – Lisa Romberg
Parent, Student, Teacher Conferences
We invite parents and carers to attend our Year 11 Parent, Teacher and Student (PTS) Interviews to discuss your daughter’s progress for 2024. Reports will be released prior to these conferences to allow you time to review and reflect on what you would like to discuss with each teacher.
Date and time: Interviews will be held on 30 October 2024 from 3:30-6:00pm. Bookings are essential.
Location: Interviews will take place in the Coolangatta House.
Student Attendance and Attire: We kindly request that students attend the interviews in their school uniform, accompanied by you, their parents or guardians. This ensures a professional and cohesive environment during discussions about your child’s progress and development.
Purpose and Benefits: These interviews serve as a valuable platform to promote communication between the school and home. They enable both teachers and parents to collaborate effectively towards enhancing your daughter’s learning and social wellbeing. Your participation is highly encouraged as it plays a vital role in supporting your daughter’s educational success.
How to Book: Bookings will open on Wednesday, 16th October 2024 and will close on Tuesday, 29th October at 9am.
To book Parent, Student Teacher Conferences, please open your Compass App, select the Community drop down menu into Conferences, select the Conference Session and follow the ‘How to Book’ prompts.
Each interview is 10 minutes. This will allow you to meet with multiple teachers. We would like you to consider booking a time slot with each of your daughter’s teachers as they are able to provide you with information and feedback as to how your daughter is progressing in her learning and any suggested areas for growth. Please allow enough time between bookings to find your daughter’s teachers. Unfortunately, we cannot schedule meetings for the following teachers; Megan Shipard
ICAS Competition Results
Congratulations to all students who took part in the ICAS competition during term 3. The following students have achieved commendable results in these ICAS competitions and we commend them on their application and effort.
Year 8
Saoirse O’Brien – High Distinction in ICAS English this placed Saoirse in the top 1% of the State, congratulations on this significant achievement
Sophie George – Credit in ICAS English and Credit in ICAS Science
Emilee Karpathakis – Credit in ICAS Science
PAT Testing
PAT Testing
PAT Testing (Years 7-10) and RE testing (Years 8 & 10) will take place in Term 4, Week 1. Information has been sent home to all students and families this week about PAT testing.
Information for students about the organisation for PAT Testing
It is highly recommended that all computers are rebooted at least 24 hours (preferably a week) beforehand. This is to avoid slowing down computers and ensure all devices being used for PAT testing have installed and downloaded all latest updates.
During the period of testing, please ensure you come to school on time each day with:
- a charged laptop
- plug-in earphones are preferable over bluetooth or airpods
- pen or pencil
Why do we do RE Testing in Year 8 and 10?
Sydney Catholic Schools require students to complete RE testing in Years 8 and 10. Students have been preparing for this testing throughout the year in their RE classes.
Why do we do PAT Testing each School Year?
Sydney Catholic Schools require all students to complete PAT testing once a year in reading and numeracy.
At OLM Catholic College Burraneer we use PAT Adaptive.
- PAT Adaptive assessments are comprised of three small blocks of items (approximately 10–14 items)
- PAT Adaptive assessments adapt to the differences in students’ demonstrated ability as they complete the test, providing personalised test pathways
- The system assigns easier or harder sets of items (‘testlets’) based on each student’s performance on prior items within that test
What is PAT Testing?
PAT testing is an assessment tool that measures students’ level of achievement. Like NAPLAN it is a point in time assessment that is mapped to the Australian Curriculum. Students and parents are reminded that it is ONE piece of the puzzle.
PAT has been developed to:
- provide evidence to support teaching and learning
- measure growth in learning
- emphasise that all students can demonstrate progress.
How does OLM Catholic College Burraneer use PAT testing?
PAT results are used to:
- help review and inform teaching programs
- assess each students learning growth
- support College and other data such as NAPLAN data which is used to place students in the most appropriate classes for the following school year.
Do students need to study for the PAT tests?
Students do not need to specifically prepare for thePAT tests. The content tested is below and has been covered by teachers during the course of teaching this year.
| PAT Maths strands tested are:Number, Algebra, Measurement, Space, Statistics, Probability | PAT Maths also reports on the mathematical proficiencies of:UnderstandingFluencyProblem solvingReasoning |
PAT Reading tests students ability to
| Retrieve directly stated information | Interpret explicit information & Interpret implied information | Reflect on the text |
| Scanning for key informationNavigating text structuresRewordingClassifying and re-organisingLabellingUsing grammatical structures | Developing an interpretationComparing and contrastingGeneralising and summarisingMaking connectionsInterpreting language & toneReasoning | Recognising textual features & purposeRecognising authorial techniquesExtrapolating beyond the textEvaluating and critiquing |
Study Skills
A timely reminder with Term 4 approaching and students are preparing for tasks that there is a multitude of information available to students and parents to assist with studying and the feelings that are associated with learning. Below is one article and the link to the website.
PREPARING FOR EXAMS/TESTS
Do you have exams this semester? Follow these steps to help you achieve your personal academic best:
1. Find out what you need to learn: ask your teacher if you will be tested on the whole year’s work or just the second half of the year. You may like to work through the PREPARING FOR EXAM/TEST BLOCKS unit to help you put together a study plan.
2. Make your study notes: work through the SUMMARISING unit to learn how to make brain-friendly study notes. On the THINGS TO PRINT page you will find a very useful Study Notes Checklist. You want to get your study notes finished as quickly as possible.
3. Learn your study notes: make sure you remember what you study by using the techniques in the ACTIVE STUDYING unit. Studying isn’t just about reading—it’s about remembering. If you are interested in exploring learning preferences, you can find more in this unit on this topic.
4. Practise the skills of the subject: do as many different questions, revision sheets, chapter reviews, sample essays or past examination papers as you can. There are suggestions on how to make sure the practise you do is effective in the ACTIVE STUDYING unit.
5. Review your test-taking techniques: this ensures you make the most of the time in the exam. Don’t let nerves trip you up! You can learn more about what to do the night before, the morning of the exam, how to approach multiple choice questions and essays in exams and much more in the TEST-TAKING unit.
And remember, don’t leave your study until the last minute – get yourself organised well in advance.
Bonus Tip: When you get your exam paper back make the most of it by using the strategies in the AFTER TESTS AND EXAMS unit.
You can learn more about being more effective and efficient in your schoolwork at www.studyskillshandbook.com.au by logging in with these details:
School username: OLMBurraneer
School password: Mercy
Assessments
Thank you for your ongoing support of our assessment policy. For students in Years 9 and 10 who missed more than one assessment task, these have been noted on the front page of the Semester 1 report. Where independent evidence has been provided this has been noted.
Exceptions were those tasks that fell on days where other school events were held.
For Semester 2 reports, a reminder to all students and parents that missed Assessment Tasks in Year 9 to 11 require a Medical certificate from a Doctor of Pharmacist for in-class tasks that are missed due to illness. For hand-in tasks it is expected that all students submit these tasks on-time for electronic submissions, whether they are present or not. If unable to submit on time, a medical certificate is required.
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.
| Year Group | Summary: Letter | Summary: Missed Assessment Task Expectations | Term Schedules |
| 7 | Year 7 letter | Illness/Misadventure: Note from home to class teacherAbsence due to Holiday Leave: Variation of Assessment Form Section VA – Student form | Term 4 link |
| 8 | Year 8 letter | Term 4 link | |
| 9 | Year 9 letter | Unforeseen Absence 9-12Illness/Misadventure: Medical Certificate covering complete absenceOR Independent EvidenceIndependent Evidence of Illness or Misadventure AdviceANDCollege Illness Misadventure Section A – Student formKnown 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 4 link |
| 10 | Year 10 letter | Term 4 linkAssessment Block Timetable | |
| 11 | ppt |
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:
The highlighted students were randomly selected as the recipients of the Burraneer Best awards at Term 3, Week 10 assembly.
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | Year 10 | Year 11 |
| Amelia Andrighetto x 2 | Rebecca Ashamalla | Starla Abraham | Camila Alispahic x 3 | Chanel Beydoun |
| Charlotte Bain Blatch | Tiffany Ashram | Tilly-Rose Buchan | Holly Andrew x 2 | Amelia Buhagiar x 3 |
| Stella Bloom | Kyla Brusolin | Mandy Cao | Amelia Baillon | Angelina Defrenza |
| Charlie Doyle | Katherine Chen | Sophie Carrig | Annabella Bayer x 2 | Zarina Gill x 2 |
| Saira Gill | Evie Cohen x 2 | Abby Daley x 2 | Alessia Carageorge x 2 | Kaitlyn Gindy |
| Jessica Green | Penelope Crimmins x 2 | Mya Docherty | Ruby Cavanagh | Amber Govindrulu x 2 |
| Olive Handel | Jasmin Croston | Clara Doyle | Addison Cawley x 2 | Elani Moshous x 2 |
| Sierra Haywood | Olivia Douglas | Molly Gargett x 2 | Bridget Clarke x 2 | Mia Rajkovic |
| Chloe Eve Jones | Olivia Gregoire | Amabel Garvin | Selena Contarino | Sofia von der Hocht |
| Chloe Jones | Ella Grumley | Milan Goldsmith | Summer Cordingley x 2 | Olivia Wellington x 3 |
| Scarlet Kordovolos | Jessica Hammon | Isabelle Hargreaves | Evie Cross | |
| Elyse Kyriakou | Jayde Hartup x 2 | Emily Hubbard | Scarlet Davies | |
| Piper Moss x 4 | Tamarli Haydon | Chloe Jones | Charlotte Dawson | |
| Tia Psyhogiou | Audrey Iffland | Sevi Kadi | Lara Duffy | |
| Georgia Pyper x 2 | Florence Jessop | Charli Liu x 2 | Chloe English | |
| Isla Renshaw | Isla Jones x 3 | Josie McDonald | Tiarne Evans x 3 | |
| Evie Riccio | Emilee Karpathakis | Zulai McTackett | April Farrugia | |
| Semara Russell | Tenya Kotouc x 2 | Addison Metcalfe x 3 | Chloe Gillan x 2 | |
| Emily Ryan | Charlotte Libro | Tannah Moore x 2 | Amelia Gray | |
| Elsa Scmidt-Liermann x 2 | Ella McGuinness | Lola Norton | Gabriella Gregoire | |
| Natalia Tsigolis | Isabella Natoli | Ruby O’Brien | Kiara Hall | |
| Sandra Vasinova x 2 | Indie Ponder | Isabella Prany | Sophie Hammon | |
| Zara Walsh | Mileta Richards | Sienna Puckeridge | Mia Harper | |
| Mia You | Emma Romyn x 2 | Allegra Rolfe | Sarah Hickey x 2 | |
| Estella Sainz | Isla Russell | Emilia Jennings-Smith x 3 | ||
| Kayla Skapetis | Mia-Grace Schembri | Gabriella Kent | ||
| Matilda Smith | Olivia Sinclair | Samara Lester x 2 | ||
| Liesel Spinner | Amber Sullivan | Arabella Maceri x 2 | ||
| Dana Traycevski | Scarlett Tsigolis | Mia Martin | ||
| Zoe Underwood | Maddison Vilivili | Zara Mawer | ||
| Charlotte Wardell x 3 | Kiara Ward | Hannah McKay x 2 | ||
| Emily Ye x 2 | Lucy McLean x 2 | |||
| Alice McNamara | ||||
| Olivia Middlemiss | ||||
| Laila Nicholson | ||||
| Ella Paff | ||||
| Catherine Palamara | ||||
| Millie Pavlovich | ||||
| Alannah Pike | ||||
| Holly Sweeting | ||||
| Sienna Vitale | ||||
| Lily Wallace | ||||
| Ashleigh Webster |
Monday Afternoon Open Learning
Our Monday Afternoon Open Learning started last term. We had 60 students who attended one or more weeks. This will be held in the Library each Monday 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 planning * tips and tricks to developing study tools such as mind maps, study notes, flash cards * subject specialists who can help answer questions. |
Lisa Romberg, Leader of Learning – Integrated Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment