Leader of Learning – Integrated Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment – Lisa Romberg
Communication Channels
Who do I contact when?
The following information is a summary of who to contact in different situations. We have provided this overview and the contact details to assist parents to get in touch with those who can help best in each specific situation
| Communication channel | Learning | Wellbeing |
| First point of contact | Classroom Teacher To discuss your daughter’s learning in a subject. | Homeroom Teacher To discuss your daughter’s wellbeing and school life. |
| Second point of contact You’re seeking clarification on your first level of contact. | Instructional Leader of Curriculum Can assist with questions about assessment tasks, subject content or overall learning in a subject. | Instructional Leader of Wellbeing Can assist with specific issues related to your daughter’s wellbeing at home or school. |
| Third point of contact You’re seeking clarification on your second level of contact. | Leader of Learning, Curriculum, Pedagogy & Assessment Can assist with concerns across subjects or tasks. | Leader of Wellbeing Can assist with complex or consistent wellbeing concerns alongside ILWs. |
| Fourth point of contact You’re seeking clarification on your third level of contact. | Assistant Principal | |
| Fifth point of contact | Principal | |
| College Information |
Leadership Team
| Principal | Mrs Christine Harding | laura.odonnell@syd.catholic.edu.au |
| Assistant Principal | Mrs Karen Shawcross | karen.shawcross@syd.catholic.edu.au |
| Religious Education Coordinator | Mr Ian Anderson | ian.anderson@syd.catholic.edu.au |
| Leader of Learning: Integrated Curriculum, Pedagogy, Assessment | Miss Lisa Romberg | lisa.romberg@syd.catholic.edu.au |
| Leader of Operations & Administration (Acting) | Mr Luke Reynolds | luke.reynolds@syd.catholic.edu.au |
Instructional Leaders of Curriculum
| Catholic Studies – Religious Education | Mr Ian Anderson | ian.anderson@syd.catholic.edu.au |
| Creative & Performing Arts | Mrs Verneen Mason | verneen.mason@syd.catholic.edu.au |
| English | Mrs Bernadette Coppock | b.coppock@syd.catholic.edu.au |
| Human Society & its Environment (Acting) | Mrs Karla Treeves | karla.treeves@syd.catholic.edu.au |
| Languages other than English | Miss Lisa Romberg | lisa.romberg@syd.catholic.edu.au |
| Mathematics | Mrs Megan Shipard | megan.shipard@syd.catholic.edu.au |
| PDHPE | Mr Damien Trevillion | damien.trevillion@syd.catholic.edu.au |
| Science | Mr Declan Hoban | declan.hoban@syd.catholic.edu.au |
| Technology & Applied Studies | Mrs Ellouise Bernie (Acting) | ellouise.carr@syd.catholic.edu.au |
| Diverse Learning | Ms Carolyn Burden | carolyn.burden@syd.catholic.edu.au |
NEWMAN Facilitators
| High Potential Gifted Support . Newman | Ms Kate Berger Mrs Ellouise Bernie Miss Lisa Romberg | kate.berger001@syd.catholic.edu.au ellouise.carr@syd.catholic.edu.au lisa.romberg@syd.catholic.edu.au |
How to Break Down Complex Subjects
Taming Big Topics, One Step at a Time
We’ve all faced it—that overwhelming moment when you look at a massive topic and wonder, “Where do I even start?”. Whether it’s preparing for a history essay, learning a difficult science concept, or tackling a big project, it’s easy to feel stuck. But breaking down complex subjects into manageable steps can make studying not only easier but also more effective. Here’s how you can master the art of simplifying the complex.
1. Understand the Big Picture
Before diving into the nitty-gritty, take a step back and ask: What is this topic really about? For example, if you’re studying photosynthesis, the big picture might be understanding how plants convert sunlight into energy. Write this overarching goal at the top of your notes—it’ll act as a guide for everything you learn.
Tip: Look for summaries in your textbook or online resources to help you grasp the main idea. Tools like YouTube explainer videos can also offer quick overviews or ask ChatGPT to explain the concept to you in a simple way.
2. Break It Down Into Sections
Once you understand the big picture, split the topic into smaller, more manageable chunks. Think of it like dividing a pizza into slices—it’s easier to tackle one piece at a time than trying to eat the whole thing at once. For example:
- Studying ‘The Nervous System’ can be broken into ‘Brain’, ‘Spinal Cord’, and ‘Nerves’.
- Preparing for an essay might involve planning the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion separately.
Focus on one section at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Tip: Use your syllabus, textbook headings, or teacher’s notes to identify these sections. If the subject feels particularly dense, ask your teacher for clarification on what’s most important.
3. Create Visual Aids
Many students find it easier to remember information when they can see it laid out visually. Try these tools:
- Diagrams: Perfect for subjects like science or geography. Draw a labelled diagram to understand relationships between components.
- Flowcharts: Great for processes like historical events or problem-solving methods.
- Mind Maps: Ideal for summarising ideas and seeing connections between subtopics.
Visual aids not only help you organize your thoughts but also make revision more enjoyable and less monotonous.
4. Learn in Layers
Think of studying like peeling an onion—learn the surface-level basics first, then delve deeper as your understanding grows. For instance:
- First pass: Identify the key terms and concepts.
- Second pass: Learn how these terms connect.
- Third pass: Dive into details and examples.
Tip: Use multiple resources during this process. Your textbook might provide one perspective, but online videos or practice questions might give you a new way of looking at the material.
5. Review and Consolidate
Once you’ve mastered each section, it’s time to fit the pieces back together. Review how the smaller parts connect to the big picture. This step helps you see the subject as a whole and prepares you for tasks like essays, exams, or projects.
Tip: Try summarising the topic in your own words. If you can explain it simply, you’ve truly understood it.
From Chaos to Clarity
Complex subjects might seem intimidating at first glance, but with the right approach, you can simplify them into manageable steps. By understanding the big picture, dividing the topic into sections, and using tools like diagrams and mind maps, you’ll gain confidence and clarity. Remember, learning is a process—take it one step at a time, and you’ll find that even the most challenging topics can be conquered.
You 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
| Our Afternoon Open Learning has moved to Tuesday this year and will start on the 11 March . 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 cards subject specialists who can help answer questions. |
Lisa Romberg, Leader of Learning – Integrated Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment