Director of Teaching and Learning P-12

Where has the year gone? It is now a week since the students in Year 12 concluded their Trials and IB examination period. For HSC students, these examinations are just one of four assessment tasks (2 unit courses) and for the IB. The IB examinations were used as formative feedback. The results in both courses should be a guide on how students are tracking and an opportunity to gain feedback on what is working and what still needs to be done. Students have been given considerable support in the lead-up to these tasks with options to hand in practice essays or papers as well as lunchtime, after school and holiday workshops. For some students, writing for a prolonged period of time in a three-hour exam was gruelling. We will continue to work with the students by offering sessions on examination practice, managing stress and September holiday workshops. My advice for students who have not achieved the results that they were hoping for, is to keep reaching out to their teachers, collaborate with their peers, and share notes, as I have seen students make significant gains when they changed their study routine between the Trails and HSC. 

Year 11 Preliminary HSC and IB students are also heading into their final assessment block next week. Ms Imber, Dean of Studies has communicated with the students and their parents on the protocols and expectations surrounding examinations. The students who are unwell during an examination must contact Ms Imber or  Mrs Diomis immediately and follow the correct procedures for illness misadventure. 

Last week, I attended the Drama Showcase and was very impressed with the quality and variety of performances. Being able to see students performing in person was outstanding in this post-COVID-19 world.  Congratulations to the students and the exceptional staff who have led these students on their creative journey. As I write this piece, these students have just concluded their final performances for the external markers and can concentrate on the written aspect of the course. We look forward to our Visual Arts, Design and Technology and English Extension 2 evenings still to come. 

Jacqueline Pugh
Director of Teaching and Learning P-12