Learning and Teaching News
Mrs Roxanne Rosenberg
Assessment Schedules
The Assessment Schedules for the upcoming term were released via the Parent and Student Portal last week. This document outlines the dates of all summative assessments your sons will have throughout the term. Parents and students are encouraged to review these documents so our boys can manage their time effectively, plan their study routines, and approach assessments with confidence.
Please note that assessments due in ‘Exam Block’ can take place any day during the exam block week. Boys are to be ready for their exams from the start of the exam block. A specific exam block schedule will be released in Week 5.
All students from Years 7-11 are expected to be present at school during the Term 1 exam block. Year 12s will not be required to be at school when they do not have an exam rostered, but must be available during the entire exam block. For any student from Years 7–12, please do not arrange holidays during this time. If your son is unwell, he will need to obtain a medical certificate.
NAPLAN – Years 7 and 9
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests will be completed in Weeks 8 and 9 of this term. These assessments play a crucial role in evaluating your child's academic progress and identifying areas for improvement. To ensure that your child feels confident and well-prepared for the upcoming exams, we encourage them to engage in practice sessions. The public demonstration site (https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/public-demonstration-site) offers a valuable resource where students can access practice questions and familiarise themselves with the format of the NAPLAN test. Our boys will continue to engage in literacy and numeracy initiatives in their classes to best prepare them for this upcoming external test.
Students in Years 7 and 9 had their NAPLAN readiness testing last week. If your son was absent for this readiness testing, that is OK. This event is for us to test our systems and for your son to be familiar with the platform. Your son may log on to the public demonstration site (link above) to become familiar.
This past week our Year 9 boys received back their NAPLAN Practice Writing Task which was completed during Exam Block in Term 4 last year. Congratulations to Thomas Stute and Harrison Hind who received 46/47 on this task. All boys will have an opportunity in their next Academic ASH lesson to examine their results and look for opportunities for improvement.
If you have any NAPLAN specific questions, please reach out to Mrs Jess Turschwell, Middle School Academic Care, via email - turschwellj@marash.qld.edu.au or Mrs Roxanne Rosenberg (Acting Deputy Head of College - Learning and Teaching), via email – rosenbergr@marash.qld.edu.au.
Student Monitoring Weeks
Our boys will continue to engage in Student Monitoring Weeks over the next week. Parents are invited to review their child's academic goals for the term, which have been entered into our Learning Analytics Program on their school computer. The boys will also have the opportunity to discuss these with their Pastoral Group teachers over the next fortnight. By understanding and discussing these goals together, we can collectively support and motivate your son towards achieving their academic milestones.
Quiet Study
Each morning the Resource Centre (senior library) is open from 7:45am to 8:30am for quiet individual study. All boys are encouraged to use this space to get themselves organised and ready for the day.
Year 12 Study Night
The library will be available for Year 12 students on Wednesday nights from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. Collaborative work is encouraged. All normal library and school rules apply. Free dress is permitted. Please sign in and out at the library front desk. This is a wonderful initiative from the senior academic leaders – please use this privilege accordingly.
Old Boys Maths Tutoring
It is wonderful that we are able to continue to offer Maths tutoring every morning in Room 402 from 7:40am-8:30am. We have a wonderful group of Old Boys who return each morning to support our boys with their Maths. Any boy from Years 7-12 is welcome to attend.
MathSpace Parents and Carers Webinar
You have may noticed your son working on Mathspace at home to review his maths work from class. This Tuesday and Thursday, Mathspace are offering a Parents and Carers Webinar. These have been hugely popular in the past for parents/carers to further support their sons with their mathematics. Please use the links below and if you are unable to log on during these times, please register via the link and a recording will be sent to you.
The flyer can also be found below, which will highlight the topics covered during the webinar.
Old Boys Tutoring List
Please find here a list of old boys who are available to tutor your son outside of school hours. This list can also be located on the parent portal or via this link. Please note it is the parent’s responsibility to organise and liaise tutoring times with the Old Boys.
Study Tip
As we approach the halfway mark of Term 1 it is important that our boys are getting themselves organised and ready for their upcoming assessment. This week’s Study Tip is ORGANISATION.
Meet Our Academic Captains
Name: Max Bathersby
House: Rush
What do you want to do when you leave school?
I'm aiming to do medicine at the University of Sunshine Coast or James Cook University.
Best study tip you use?
Have a goal that you would like to achieve by the end of your study. This could be as simple as doing 2 hours or completing a section of an assignment, but it helps a lot on the mental side of things knowing that you've accomplished what you set out to do.
When do you most like to study?
I mostly study at night after sport training or work or any rehearsals I might have. I think it really helps me focus and spend my last bit of energy for the day studying.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
I'm most looking forward to the 'lasts'. Things like last athletics carnival or last rugby game. I will always remember those little things after I graduate.
What would you spend your last $20 on?
My last 20 bucks would probably be spent on an iced mocha from Maccas, definitely one of my favourite coffees for before school.