Head of Senior School
Congratulations on making it to the end of Term 2! Learning in class continues to be the main focus with many other highlights including Foundation Night, the Alumni/HSC Careers Expo and a wonderful finish to the term with the House Singing competition.
Upstream Thinking
During a recent Senior Leadership Training course, I discussed the ideas from the Book ‘Upstream’ by Dan Heath with senior leaders from over 15 other schools. The opening parable states:
You and a friend are having a picnic by the side of a river. Suddenly you hear a shout from the direction of the water – a child is drowning. Without thinking, you both dive in, grab the child, and swim to shore. Before you can recover, you hear another child cry for help. You and your friend jump back in the river to rescue her as well. Then another struggling child drifts into sight …. and another …. and another. The two of you can barely keep up. Suddenly, you see your friend wading out of the water, seeming to leave you alone. “Where are you going?” you demand. Your friend answers, “I’m going upstream to tackle the guy who’s throwing all these kids in the water.”
– A public health parable (adapted from the original, which is commonly attributed to Irving Zola)
This is an area I am keen to dig into. I have thoroughly enjoyed my first 6 months in this role, and I look forward to continue to work with colleagues, students and parents to look ‘upstream’ to find strategic solutions to problems rather than just treating the symptoms.
Changes to Year 7-10 Reporting
In order to provide quality feedback to parents, you can look forward to a second Student Parent Teacher Night via MS Teams next term for students in Year 7-9 and a subject selection consult for students in Year 10.
We have done this in combination with adjusting the format of our Year 7-10 reports which have the following changes:
- A student reflection – This is written by students (not edited by staff). I have enjoyed reading these immensely and over time the students will demonstrate an improvement in the awareness of their involvement in College life.
- A Head of House comment in addition to the Mentor comment.
- A list of areas of strength and areas for development in place of a teacher comment.
House Colours
The first recipients of House Colours received their award letters this week. House Colours recognises students that are fully embracing the expectations and values of the College. The policy can be found on the Year Group CANVAS pages and students in Year 10 and above can apply mid-way through each term. This is the first-time we have awarded House Colours and, whilst it is something that everyone can strive for and work towards, I have applied the criteria fairly across all the 75 applicants. Only 39 students out of 75 applicants have been awarded at this stage and those who missed out this time can focus on areas to improve and re-apply. I will provide feedback to all students who missed out early next term.
Academic Organisation
One aspect of House Colours criteria involved students not getting more than two detentions in any year between Year 7-10. One thing students can do to minimise this is to be prepared for class. It has come to my attention that some students have completed (or lost) workbooks for some subjects whilst others regularly arrive without a charged laptop or without pens. Please can parents assist their children to re-stock over the break in preparation for Semester 2.
Timetable Adjustments
Due to changes in staffing and rotations in certain subjects there will be a change in timetable over the Holidays. This will affect all Year 7-12 classes and students will be able to access EDVAL in the last week of the holidays to see the changes.
Year 12 Winter Break & Exam Schedule
In case you missed it, look out for the broadcast about the Year 12 Holiday Program and Winter Break schedule for Year 12. We are encouraging all Year 12 students to have a complete break for the first week in order to rest and recuperate ready for the 16 week push to the end of the HSC.
Subject Selections
Year 10 are well into the process of Subject Selections for their HSC Preliminary courses. Please use the break to continue have discussions with your children, using the information on the CANVAS pages to inform decision making. 29 students have entered preferences via the EDVAL webform so far and these can be updated up to the deadline on the second day of Term 3 – Wednesday 24 July. Entering courses in order of preference is important in the next step when we use this data to generate the lines.
Early in Term 3 Year 8 will get the opportunity to choose their Stage 5 electives and Year 7 will get to choose their electives for Year 8.
Senior School Athletics
The first day back next term, Tuesday 23 July, is the Senior School Athletics Carnival. Details have been distributed by the Sports Department and all students are expected to attend and to involve themselves as much as possible in support of their House. This is another criteria area for House Colours as students are expected to attend all Inter-House events.
Traffic Management
With such wonderful participation in winter sporting teams the Senior School Drop Zone has become very busy at 5pm on sport training days. Whilst there will be further communication at the end of the holidays, please be prepared for the full introduction of the Traffic Management Plan from 4.55pm to 5.15pm on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Students should be collected by 5.15pm at the latest. From next term parents arriving after this time will have to park and collect students in person from the Senior School office.
I hope you all have a wonderful break and look forward to seeing you all next semester.
Warm regards
Mr Tristan Bevan
Head of Senior School