College Matters

Student Learning Growth

‘Oh, the places you’ll go!’ by Dr. Seuss is one of my favourite books.

One of my favourite lines is on the second page:

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself

any direction you choose.

I won’t spoil the ending for those who haven’t read it, but the book is one that was gifted to me by my mum when I was a student. It has followed me for the last twenty years since finishing high school and has a prized place in my office here at MGSC.

The message in Dr Suess’ book is an important and timely one. For many of our students, we are approaching 2024 subject selection time. Our Year 8s will be choosing the Year 9 Electives they wish to study in addition to their core subjects next year. Our current Year 9 and 10 students attended information sessions at the end of last term and have been researching the vast array of subjects available to them in 2024 Year 10 and 11 respectively. Our Year 11s are well into their VCE journey, and our Year 12s have just embarked on their final full term of school – ever – and will be thinking about what life might look like beyond MGSC next year.

Thinking about the next step, whether you’re a current Year 8 or Year 12, or anywhere in between, can be daunting sometimes. It is normal to feel a little unsure, but there are plenty of people here at MGSC who can support and guide you in addition to the supports you have outside of school. Your classroom teachers, Student Managers, and Directors of Junior, Middle, and Senior School, are all here to help. Ms Bouchier, our Pathways and Careers Coordinator, is a beacon of knowledge and is also available to support students and families. There is an abundance of information available in the MGSC Curriculum Handbooks, and more information available online for students who are interested in exploring vocational and tertiary pathway options.

In addition to doing your research and finding out what options are available, here are a few hints that might help you:

Do what you enjoy and what you are passionate about. Harness those strengths! Learning is meant to be enjoyable. It is not a good idea to pick a subject just because your friends are doing it. Pick subjects that excite you when you read about them in the handbook.
Do your research. If you think you would like to be an Engineer, for example, find out whether there are any subjects you might need to complete (these are called prerequisites). This information is readily available online, or Ms Bouchier can help you find it.
Try new things - particularly current Year 8 and 9 students. Years 9 and 10 are an opportunity to try various subjects and see what you enjoy. Many students “discover” their passion(s) in Middle School (I did too!).

NAPLAN

For our Year 7 and 9 students, the results of the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) were released this week. Congratulations to all Year 7 and 9 students for their efforts in completing these tests back in March. Remember – your NAPLAN result does not define you. We are interested in seeing student learning growth, and you are only competing against yourself. NAPLAN data is used by schools as one measure of the effectiveness of our teaching and learning program, as well as to identify students who may require extension opportunities, or additional learning supports, in various aspects of their learning.

Year 12 students and any Year 11 student completing a Unit 3 and 4 study are reminded that VCE Trail/Past Exam booklets are available to order for some subjects through Compass until August 10th. In my experience, students who order these booklets are very grateful when it comes to exam preparation time and they don’t need to spend precious time printing off their own trial exam papers.

Congratulations to our Year 9s, who completed their first round of semester exams at the end of Term 2. I have been impressed by the way many Year 9 students have reflected on the experience of sitting exams for the first time, and the lessons gained. Insights from students have included the need to take thorough notes throughout the semester, to ask questions in class when something isn’t fully understood, and to complete regular revision and homework throughout the semester. These lessons will help you to build important study skills as you move into senior secondary school.

Parent Teacher Student Interviews

Parent-Teacher-Student-Interviews are scheduled for Thursday 10 August 10 (1:30pm – 8pm) and August 16 (3:30 – 6:30pm). Please note that August 10th is a student-free day. Students are expected to attend the PTSIs, which will be held online via Webex. The booking system will open to parents/carers next week.

Hayley Dureau

Assistant Principal - Student Learning Growth