ACARA

6th August, 2018

Dear Parent/Guardian,

2018 NAPLAN ITEM TRIAL

Mooroopna Secondary College has been selected by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) to participate in this year’s ACARA Item Trial. The trial is to be held on Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th August. Item Trial Tests have occurred each year since 2007 and each year a small number of schools participate. Schools are carefully selected to ensure a diverse range of student backgrounds and abilities is represented.

Students from Year 7 and 9 will complete an online test with questions relating to either Numeracy or Conventions of Language. This will take place during regular class time on the Tuesday and Wednesday.

The tests will be completed as follows:

7A – Tuesday 14th – Numeracy – Period 1 & 2
7B – Tuesday 14th – Conventions of Language – Period 3 & 4
9A + ½ 9C – Wednesday 15th – Numeracy – Period 1 & 2
9B + ½ 9C – Wednesday 15th – Conventions of Language – Period 3 & 4

The above timetable has been arranged so that students are required to complete only one test. Should students wish to complete both tests, please make contact with the school so that arrangements can be made.

Further information that has been provided by ACARA is attached to this letter, with a website that you can access which details the process of the Item Analysis Trial.

Should you wish to discuss concerns regarding the above information please contact Sarah Cameron at the college on (03) 5825 2344.

Yours Sincerely,

SARAH CAMERON - Teaching and Learning Leader

STEPHEN BOLTON - Principal

Object Based Learning in Rural Secondary Schools Project

Once again we had Sharyn Volk (Melbourne University's School of Historical and Philosophical Studies) and Annelies Van De Ven (currently working in London) visit students in the Year 7 classes and a few students from Year 8 and 9. They brought with them a collection of artifacts and learning activities for the students to experience. Students participated in sorting items into date order, researching Ancient Egyptian Gods, investigating and documenting sherds (fragments of pottery) while other students were able to take a closer looking at bones fragments.

All students were keenly involved in the activities and listened intently as both Sharyn and Annelies shared their experiences. It was a fantastic opportunity to learn more about History.

Annette Gould - Humanities Teacher

End of Semester One celebrations!

At MSC, we follow the school wide positive behaviour program (SWPB). This program promotes the recognition of the positive behaviour at our college that stems from our school values .

Through semester one, the year 7 students had been collecting raffle tickets. Their teachers handed out the tickets for those individuals that demonstrate excellent classroom behaviour.

Arriving on time, brings the correct equipment, managing their personal learning, helping a peer and remembering their personal book for reading time are just some of the good habits that were rewarded.

Those students that scored an impressive number of raffle tickets were invited to a pizza lunch with Mr Bolton

Left to right: Corey Meyer, Thanwa Mingmueang, LA Calinao, Tiana Gledhill, Ella van Someren, Ryan Watts, Bella Baxter, Jak Cumming, Mr Bolton, Dave Mallari.

Front: Nathyn Thompson

Absent: Kyla Ponting, Kyla Culhane.

The focus at MSC for the first 6 weeks of Term 3 is 'Punctuality' (arrived on time to class) and ‘Having the correct equipment’ (books, pencil case and reading book for reading time). Students will be encouraged to consistently apply these SWPB foci to improve their learning.

Dates to Remember

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER