Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning
Year 11 students had a stepping-up to Year 12 day on Wednesday, 23 October. The day started with a liturgy where students received prayer cards from the Dominican Sisters and a Year 12 badge. Following this, each student met with their academic advisor to discuss their HSC or IB Diploma pattern of study and set goals for the year ahead. The day concluded with a careers session with Ms Guirguis before separating into their respective program meetings in the HSC and IB Diploma. The students have responded well to the feedback and guidance as they plan for the next 12 months.
Year 10 Examinations started this week and will continue into next week, marking a crucial milestone for students in the lead-up to their Senior Studies next year. Practising for exams has proven to be highly beneficial, as it helps our students familiarise themselves with the format and types of questions they will encounter, building confidence and reducing anxiety. Last term, the ‘Ace Your Exams’ workshop by Elevate provided invaluable strategies for planning and preparing. Students learned techniques for effective time management, active revision, and stress management, all of which are essential for performing well. Below is a list of further support offered by the Elevate group for academic resilience.
Register for Elevate’s Parent Webinar Series this term
Elevate Education delivers high-impact workshops to our students that help to develop their study skills, motivation, and exam preparation. Over the next term, you’re invited to join their parent webinar series, where you can help support your child at home by reinforcing the skills they’re learning at school.
Upcoming Webinars:
How To Help Your Child Alleviate Stress – 13 November 6:30pm (AEDT)
How You Can Build Resilience in Your Child – 27 November 6:30pm (AEDT)
How You Can Set Your Child Up for Success – 11 December 6:30pm (AEDT)
Register for the series here and learn some great practical strategies to help support your child this year.
We wish the Year 9 students and teachers well as they embark on their experiential learning next week at camp.
Showcasing Action Research within and beyond the College
Our Action Research Groups gathered during the professional learning time last Thursday to deliver another round of impressive project showcases. As teams shared their experience of using research, evidence and innovation to tackle a problem of practice, we were reminded of the dedication, creativity and determination of our teachers to improve the learning outcomes of their students. In sharing both the challenges and successes of their research, the audience was provided with a snapshot of the new knowledge that has been gained and potentially transferred to other areas of learning across the College. The broad and varied range of research topics included: Strategies to develop meaning from spoken text, Using experiential learning to enhance the understanding of Drama theory, Building self-regulation in Preschoolers, Supporting teachers to develop positive learning environments, Building a music literacy continuum and Strategies to effectively implement targeted groupings in the Stage 2 Spelling Program.
Also during this week, our Action Research Coordinator, Kate Corcoran, delivered a workshop to participants at the NSW Association of Independent Schools Educational Research Symposium. This workshop was designed to share some of our successes and learning as the second year of our whole school Action Research Program winds up. With a focus on regular reflection and continual adjustment of practice, Kate was able to share some strategies on how to get this program started to ensure it has a significant impact on student outcomes. It is wonderful to see our Action Research Program showcased as a model for effective and high impact professional learning.
Jacqueline Pugh
Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning