Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning

Poetry in Action 

Recently, our Year 10 English students had the privilege of experiencing a captivating performance by Poetry in Action, an innovative touring theatre company dedicated to unlocking the power of words. This dynamic show, filled with passion, anger, humour, and heartbreak, followed the life and works of Wilfred Owen, one of the most striking and brilliant voices of his era.

The performance took our students through the horror, heroism, and hopelessness of conflict, examining people’s attitudes towards war. Through Owen’s powerful poetry, students gained a deeper understanding of the complexities of war and its impact on humanity.

Elevate 

Next week, Elevate will be running a study skills program for all Year 7-10 students, as they prepare for the assessment block in Term 2 and 4. 

Year 7 students will participate in the Study Skills Kick Start seminar, which focuses on fundamental skills such as dynamic reading, note-taking, and conceptual learning. These skills will help students extract key points from texts, organise their notes effectively, and break down information into relevant concepts.

For Years 8 and 9 students, the seminar will emphasise consistent work habits and the completion of larger tasks. Students will learn how to break bigger tasks into manageable amounts and prioritise their work. The seminar covers developing a study routine that balances socialising, sports, and extracurricular activities with academic productivity. Additionally, students will learn to identify the most impactful work, manage assignments and exams, and overcome procrastination.

Year 10 students will attend the Ace Your Exams seminar, which focuses on critical exam skills. This seminar teaches students how to apply their knowledge effectively in the exam room and emphasises the importance of preparation. Skills covered include effective work strategies, fixing mistakes on mock exams, time allocation for preparation, and exam room techniques such as stress management and planning. We believe these seminars will greatly benefit our students and help them achieve their academic goals.

Updates at the end of Term 1

Interim Reports for students in Years 1-11 are now accessible through the Parent Lounge. These reports offer valuable insights into your child’s learning journey, specifically focusing on behaviour and work ethic. Teachers have evaluated these areas using descriptors such as Consistently, Usually, Sometimes, and Needs Improvement.

Additionally, we would like to remind you about the upcoming Student-Parent-Teacher interviews for Prep through to Year 11 scheduled for Tuesday 29 April, from 10:00am to 6:00pm. This is a pupil-free day, and interviews will be held in person. 

Continuous Reporting 7-11 has been introduced this year. Parents and students are receiving feedback and grades through VO following assessment tasks. For students, it encourages self-reflection, goal-setting, and a proactive approach towards their education, ensuring frequent updates that highlight growth and improvement. This will replace teacher comments on the semester report. 

Jacqueline Pugh
Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning