Assistant Principal's Report

NAPLAN Results

NAPLAN results have now been mailed to families of year 7 and 9 students. Results are now presented in four proficiency levels. These are:

exceeding
strong
developing
needs additional support.

This change will give schools, parents and carers clearer information that details student achievement against new proficiency levels.

Students’ NAPLAN reports will continue to show how they are tracking against their peers and provide an indication of their skill levels against national averages and where we would expect them to be to get the most out of schooling. NAPLAN provides valuable information to teachers about how we can continue to support your child.

Each set of NAPLAN results is an important milestone but it’s also important that students know that one result does not define them – these results are about making sure every student gets the support they need so they can continue to get the best from their learning.

NAPLAN Certificates of Achievement have been awarded to students in Year 9 who have achieved the exceeding proficiency level for numeracy and reading. If your child has been recognised in excellence and achieved a result in the exceeding proficiency level for numeracy and or reading, the certificate/s will be enclosed with their NAPLAN report.

Parent Student Teacher Conferences 14th September from 11am – 7pm

Wyndham Central College will be providing the opportunity for you and your child to discuss their progress with their subject teachers at Parent- Student -Teacher Conferences to be held on: Thursday 14th September from 11:00am to 7:00pm. Please save the date in your calendar.

Students are required to attend the Parent-Student-Teacher-Conferences with their parents/carers in full school uniform.

The primary focus for our College is the success of our students. A positive partnership between the College and home is critical to this success being achieved. Parent- Student -Teacher Conferences are of great benefit to parents, students and teachers to help develop a strong working relationship that will positively impact your child’s learning, engagement and wellbeing.

Your will receive detailed correspondence regarding the Parent-Student-Teacher-Conferences in the coming weeks.

Goal setting

Last term, as we do at the conclusion of each term, students reviewed their Term/Semester report, self- assess and reflect on areas of strength and weakness and set goals to ensure and maximise their success for the forthcoming term. As parents we ask you to support your students by encouraging them to revisit these goals regularly and ensure that they are on track to achieve them. Parents can support this by having conversations with their child about their goals for this term and encouraging the benefits of perseverance with tasks they may find challenging.

Ready to Learn Mondays Session 1

We are excited to inform parents of our "Ready to Learn Monday" session at the AVID Centre, which is scheduled for Session 1 each week. This session is designed to help our students keep their AVID Binder organised and gather any necessary materials, such as binder books, and other requirements, to ensure they are fully prepared for a successful week of learning ahead.

We believe that a well-prepared student is better equipped for academic success. The Ready to Learn Monday session allows students to collect any essential materials they might need for the week ahead. Our goal is to ensure that each student has everything required to make the most of their learning experience and stay organised throughout the week.

During the session, our AVID Leader, Ms Cole, will be present to assist students in locating their required materials and addressing any needs they may have to be prepared to learn.

Please encourage your child to access this support when needed, as it will undoubtedly contribute to their preparedness and overall performance in the classroom.

Thank you for your ongoing support and cooperation in helping our students thrive academically. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the me at the college.

A Strategy for Success: Ongoing Revision and Cornell notes

As an AVID Highly Certified School, we are committed to providing the best possible support to our students in their academic journey. One of the essential skills we focus on is effective note-taking using the Cornell note-taking system. We have observed that students who practice this method regularly show significant improvements in their learning outcomes, confidence, and overall success.

We ask for your support and encouragement at home to reinforce this valuable skill. Using the 10-24-7 method, which has been extensively researched and proven to be effective, can greatly benefit your child's academic progress. The 10-24-7 method involves the following steps:

Review and Revise: Encourage your child to review and revise their notes, actively circling key vocabulary and underlining key information. Taking a few moments to go over the day's material helps reinforce the concepts and ensures better retention.

2. Formulate Questions: The following night, prompt your child to formulate

questions based on the notes they took in class. This helps them develop a deeper

understanding of the subject matter and prepares them for any potential

assessments.

3. Create Summaries: By the end of the week, have your child create summaries of

the week's material. Summarizing information in their own words helps solidify

knowledge and enhances their ability to recall information during assessments and exams.

We believe that implementing the 10-24-7 method will not only improve their academic performance but also build confidence and instil valuable study habits that will serve them well in the future.

Your support in reinforcing these practices at home will undoubtedly contribute to your child's growth and achievements. We genuinely appreciate your collaboration in making their academic journey a successful one.

If you have any questions or need further guidance on how to assist your child with the 10-24-7 method or organizing their materials, please feel free to reach out.

Course selection 2023

The course selection process for the upcoming academic year is being finalised. Our students, with the guidance of their families and teachers, are in the process of selecting subjects and programs for Years 9, 10, 11, and 12 in 2024. We believe that this crucial step in their education will pave the way for a successful and fulfilling learning journey.

On Tuesday, 25th July, we hosted the Subject and Program Expo. This event provided a wonderful opportunity for families to explore the diverse range of subjects and programs we offer. Our teachers passionately showcased the various options available, immersing attendees in the enriching activities and experiences our school provides.

For those who attended the expo, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your active participation. Your engagement in this event plays a significant role in helping your child make informed choices and discover new opportunities for personal growth and academic excellence.

For families who could not attend the expo our staff are readily available to provide any information or answer any queries you may have about the subjects and programs available for your child's year level.

We are dedicated to fostering a nurturing and supportive environment that empowers students to thrive academically and personally. Our commitment to their holistic development remains unwavering, and we believe that the course selection process is a pivotal step in shaping their future success.

We encourage you to contact your child's tutor teacher with any concerns or inquiries regarding course selection. Together, we can ensure that your child's educational journey is filled with growth, opportunities, and achievement.

Homework Club

A reminder that Wyndham Central College offers Homework Club Wednesdays in the Monash Building from 3:10 pm to 4:00 pm. Homework Club is facilitated by experienced classroom teachers and provides support to students who self- nominate to attend. Teachers support students who may be having difficulty with their classwork, assignments, homework or who like a place and space in which to work that is supported by teacher assistance if required. Please encourage your child/children to attend Homework Club and use this valuable resource.

Learning Dispositions

As educators and parents, we recognise that to become successful, future-oriented lifelong learners, students need to cultivate a rich combination of dispositions, skills, values, and attitudes.

One such indispensable learning disposition and life skill is persistence also referred to as grit, tenacity, or resilience – is the ability to overcome setbacks in order to accomplish a goal. When students embrace persistence, they exhibit the determination to see a task through to completion without easily giving up. This steadfast approach empowers them to tackle challenges, analyse problems critically and developing systematic and strategic approaches to conquer them.

Encouraging and nurturing persistence within our students is essential. As educators, we can support this development by creating a learning environment that celebrates effort and progress. Recognising and praising their hard work, even when outcomes may not be perfect, reinforces the value of persistence and perseverance in their educational journey. Additionally, we can inspire our students by sharing stories of individuals who have overcome obstacles through persistent effort, demonstrating that success often stems from resilience and determination.

As parents, your role in fostering persistence is equally vital. By offering your support, guidance, and encouragement during moments of difficulty, you help your children build the confidence to overcome challenges. Encourage a growth mindset, where mistakes are seen as opportunities for learning and growth, and celebrate instances when your children exhibit persistence in their endeavours.

The development of persistence as a core attribute equips students with the tenacity and fortitude to confront future challenges as they evolve into confident, future-oriented lifelong learners. By embracing persistence, they develop the resilience and openness to explore various problem-solving avenues, setting the stage for continuous growth and success throughout their educational journey and beyond.

Parent can support their children to build persistence by:

Encourage your high-schooler to have new experiences. Getting out of their comfort zone will allow them the opportunity to struggle and build perseverance. This could mean joining a new extracurricular activity, getting a job, or volunteering in the community. As your teen continues to broaden their experiences, they’ll be more comfortable with taking on new challenges and may find they are more capable than they thought they were.
Take the time to point out moments in your teen’s life when they struggled and persevered. One great example to share is simply when they were learning to walk. It takes all children time to learn to stand on their own two feet, and it’s a good reminder for your teen when they are frustrated with the time it is taking them to accomplish a goal or learn a new skill. You can also add when they mastered something that was difficult, like learning to ride a bike, skateboard, or play guitar. Also share with the, times when you or other family members struggled and persevered.
Talk to your teen about goals that they haven't met. Goals should require effort and skill, but there’s not always a guarantee that they’ll be met. How your child responds to failure and frustration is critical. “Good failures” to describe failures that your child learns from, and that help them succeed in the future. The ability to get back in the game – to bounce back from mistakes or setbacks – is key to developing resilience and persistence. You can also demonstrate resilience in your reactions to your teen’s setbacks. For example, if they bring home a bad grade on a test, instead of punishing them, try working with them on a solution so they can perform better on the next test.

https://www.parenttoolkit.com/social-and-emotional-development/advice/self-management/building-perseverance-in-teens

Connie Faranda - Assistant Principal

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