Deputy Principal – Academic

Amy Byrnes

Study – What Is It and How Is It Done?

By now, your daughter should be well and truly into a study routine. Most students benefit from multiple opportunities to learn and retain new ideas, particularly if this occurs over a period of time. As we are on the edge of starting the busy time of assessment in the term, please encourage and support your daughter to schedule daily studying time. Students should:

Keep a list of things to accomplish during studying time;
Read the assigned work (revise the work covered that day or read ahead to prepare for the next lesson);
Utilise the College Learning Hub to review resources for each subject;
Create vivid mental images to aid learning;
Memorise the material through repetition;
Self-verbalise the steps to complete a given task;
Use chapter review questions to self-test;
Make a plan (outline) before beginning an assessment task;
Seek feedback from the teacher and talk to the teacher about what she knows and where her knowledge gaps are (teacher feedback from assigned tasks and exams will also help);
Act on written and verbal feedback provided;
Check both drafts and good copies carefully and deliberately before handing in an assignment;
Once assessment is returned, review the items missed, including questions that were guessed.

Pages 110 and 111 of the College diary includes further hints on how to study, including the average times per day that are suggested for study for each year level, including:

Year 7 – 1 to 1 ½ hours
Year 8 – 1 ½ hours
Year 9 – 2 hours
Year 10 – 2 ½ hours
Year 11 – 3 hours
Year 12 – 3 ½ hours

Term 1 Exam Block

In 2020, per the Semester One Assessment Calendars, only Year 10 and Year 12 students will have a designated Exam Block in Term 1. All other year levels will complete assessment during their timetabled lessons. The Term 1 Exam Block Schedule will be emailed to Year 10 and Year 12 students later in the term.

During exam block all students are required to:

Wear full Academic College uniform at all times;
Have the correct equipment for their exams in a clear, transparent container or bag;
Students are not to bring Smart Watches or mobile phones into the examination room;
Sign in and out upon entry and exit of examination rooms and for study session. Designated quiet study areas will be available for students between examinations;
Be on time for exams.
Remain within the College grounds at all times and may not be signed out by parents between exams without prior arrangement with the Deputy Principal – Academic;
Complete all assessment to the best of their ability, using the entire allocated time to work and check their responses. All students must remain in the exam room for the allotted time.

Year 12 Students

Year 12 students are permitted to go home during the Term 1 Exam Block. Year 12 students must be at school on the days when they have exams, however, if a student has only one exam in the morning or afternoon, they may remain at home for study, at their parent’s discretion and the College office needs to be contacted and advised of this by 9am on the day. Year 12 Boarding students are permitted to return to the Boarding School for quiet study when they do not have exams. Year 12 students must ensure they are following the College Senior Assessment Policy throughout all assessment pieces.

If you have any questions or concerns in relation to the exam block please contact the Deputy Principal – Academic, Amy Byrnes (abyrnes@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au).

Special Provisions (Year 7 to 10)

A reminder that if students are away on an assessment due date or have been away prior to the due date of an exam or assessment they may be entitled to special provisions. It is important that students are meeting all due dates, but at times, there are circumstances that prevent this from occurring and this is when special provisions are put in place. Students must make an appointment to see the Deputy Principal – Academic if they have an application for special provisions. Further information relating to Special Provisions can be found in the College diary on page 114 and in the College Junior Assessment Policy.

NAPLAN

Parents/Guardians of Year 7 and 9 students were emailed a letter regarding the 2020 National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) Tests. The 2020 tests will be held from 12 to 14 May.

Any parent that wishes to enquire about special provisions or exemption from NAPLAN for your daughter, please contact Tracy Nioa (Head of Department – Learning Support & Enrichment) before 2 April 2020 via tnioa@stpatscollege.qld.edu.au. Should you have any further queries regarding NAPLAN, please contact Mr Grant McGregor (Head of Faculty – Mathematics and Technology), Ms Amy Plumridge (Head of Faculty – English and Languages) or myself for clarification.