Assistant Principal Report
Assistant Principal - Mrs. Sue Simadri
Semester One Report
A comprehensive report was issued on Compass to all students last term. We trust that parents have accessed their child’s report and have had a discussion about the effort made, and the results achieved, in the first half of the year. This is important feedback from the teachers, as well as advice on how students can do better this semester. As we are in the very early weeks of Semester Two, there is opportunity for students to put into practice, some of the strategies suggested by their teachers, to move forward and excel.
Senior School Parent Teacher Interviews
It was great to see a number of families take advantage of the earlier Parent Teacher Interviews event, to come along and discuss their child’s progress with teachers. The timing of this second set of interviews is a new initiative from the Senior School, to ensure that senior students, particularly those studying Unit 3/4 subjects, have ample time to make the recommended adjustments to their study program, to positively and significantly affect their results for Semester 2. We were certainly encouraged to see the take-up by families, as well as many local and international students, who attended and met with teachers on their own. We hope that students will reflect upon their progress and act on the important feedback received, to develop a suitable study program which they can further discuss with their teachers. With final exams commencing on the 30th October, which is approximately 9 weeks (of classes) away, it is vital that every opportunity is used to optimize learning.
Course Selection
Term 3 is an important time of the year as schools begin planning for curriculum offerings for the following year. Students have to make subject, course and elective choices for 2019, which will determine the programs we offer. Students in Yr 10 have to make one of the more significant decisions on whether they will study the VCE or the VCAL certificate in 2019. If it is VCE, there is quite a bit of research students have to do before their Course Counselling Interview on Wednesday, 8th August. Students have been given a letter to bring home regarding the process. No Yr 10 classes will run on the 8th August. All interviews will be held in the library and the Community Centre; students are required to come in 5 minutes prior to their interview time. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend with their child.
From ‘can’t do’ to ‘can do’
– Andrew Fuller
Andrew Fuller is a clinical psychologist who works with schools across the world, specialising in the wellbeing of young people and their families. He has written a number of books on a variety of topics, including resilience, bullying, raising kids, etc. There are a number of resources that can be downloaded from his website, andrewfuller.com.au.
We have been on a change journey for a number of months now, with the use of Compass as our Learning Management System, our Instructional Model (EDI), and the expectation of higher standards from our students. If students are to be successful in school, in life, they must believe in their ability, develop a positive mindset, and move from saying and thinking ‘I can’t do’ to ‘I can do’. Attached is an article from Andrew Fuller on this concept and what parents can do to support their child to develop a positive attitude. Interesting read for both parents and students.