Head of Senior School
Welcome to the end of Week 6! We are already over halfway through the term and students have settled into the structure & patterns of learning within the context of our new timetable. We are continuing to raise expectations in the classroom and evidence suggests this is of benefit to support student outcomes.
We are in the process of introducing a range of initiatives to support the wellbeing of students in and out of the classroom. These include:
- Year 12 Academic Coaches: Each Year 12 students will meet with a member of the Executive or Senior Leadership team on a regular basis. This is an extra layer of support to enable students to reach their academic potential in preparation for their future goals. The first meeting for all students will be before the end of Week 7.
- Year 12 Flexible Timetable: This allows students in Year 12 with classes outside the timetable, who have demonstrated the ability to work independently, to sign in late or leave early for designated periods. Students can complete the form on CANVAS to apply.
- Year 7-10 Study Skills: We are working towards the implementation of a Study Skills program for Year 7-10 in conjunction with Enhanced Learning Educational Resources. This will start with a focused session later this term to start the program for each cohort, followed by regular sessions delivered jointly within the curriculum where study skills will be explicitly taught. The program will also be available for senior students to access.
- House Colours: We are introducing House Colours for students in Year 10 and above who participate fully in the life of the College. This involves students completing the following throughout Year 7-10: Participating in all Inter-House Carnivals and major College events. Completing their mandatory ISA Sport requirements and being involved in an extra co-curricular activity. Completing 10 hours of a voluntary service activity in the year preceding their application and having fulfilled expectations for OLE week & Rites of Passage. Students are also expected to have maintained attendance, disciplinary, punctuality and uniform expectations and have above average effort grades. The first awarding of House Colours will be in the last week of term and students will have to apply over the next few weeks.
- Study Club: Whilst study club is not a new initiative, this year we are running it four nights a week for both Year 11 & 12. This takes place from 5pm (for students who order supper) with supervised study from 5.30 – 7.30pm. We have Year 12 teachers from all faculties rostered on across the week to provide support, assistance and to run seminars with students on focused subject areas or study skills. Year 12 are well into their study club routines. Year 11 started this week, and the numbers of student attending has increased dramatically as students make the most of the opportunity.
Key events for the next few weeks:
We look forward to welcoming Year 11 & Year 7 parents and students to the Student Parent Teacher Nights in Week 7 & 8 respectively. You will have received invitations and schedules will follow shortly before the event.
NAPLAN starts for Year 7 & 9 in Week 7 and students must ensure that their device is fully charged, that they have the NAPLAN Locked Down Browser installed on their device and bring headphones (preferably wired) with them on each testing day. Further information has already been sent to Year 7 & 9 parents.
If you have any questions, please contact your child’s mentor who will be able to forward your question to the relevant staff.
Warm regards
Mr Tristan Bevan
Head of Senior School