Junior School
National Science Week
National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of all things related to science and technology! In recognition of this occasion, our Year 5 and 6 students will have the opportunity to take part in their own unique STEM Day event next week.
On Monday 21 August, all Year 5 students will participate in our inaugural STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Junior School event at the College. The boys will take part in a hands-on design and make challenge centred on the real-world issue of the impact that earthquakes can have on physical structures in our society such as buildings. Students will work in groups to complete the various challenges associated with this task before a selection of models that have been created by the boys will be showcased to the grade. The day will then finish with a series of fun, science experiments linked to the fields of biology, chemistry, and physics. We look forward to seeing our Year 5 boys embrace this school event and make the most of the unique opportunity that they have, to collaborate with their peers in order to complete the various elements of the design brief they will be presented with.
Then at the end of next week on Friday 25 August, all Year 6 students will be given the opportunity to participate in a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) Gala Day event at Santa Sabina College. The boys will have the chance to engage in a variety of hands-on activities related to Science Week, all of which will be centred on key concepts within various STEAM fields. They will work together with Years 5 and 6 students from Santa Sabina College to try and solve the different challenges they are presented with on the day. Additionally, this event will also provide students with an invaluable opportunity to further develop key personal and social skills. Our Year 6 teaching team is very much looking forward to seeing how the boys represent their cohort and model the type of behaviour that we know our students are capable of, regardless of the different venue being attended on the day.
A reminder that the boys will be required to make their own way to and from Santa Sabina College on the day of the excursion and they are to wear their College Supporter’s uniform for this event.
All Year 6 parents/carers have already been emailed additional information about this upcoming event and are asked to please ensure that permission is given for their son to attend on the day by acknowledging approval via TASS Parent Lounge.
How to Bounce Back from a Disappointing Assessment Mark
Over the next several weeks, all Junior School students will complete a number of assessment tasks across various Key Learning Areas to gauge their current level of knowledge, understanding and skill development. Further information about these upcoming tests can be accessed by students on CANVAS.
While it would be wonderful if all students achieved excellent results and demonstrated significant growth across the set concepts being covered, the reality is that some boys will not perform as anticipated and may not actually receive the overall mark that they aimed for.
Educational learning specialist, Dr Prue Salter, highlights some great advice for students to bear in mind about how to move forward after receiving an assessment result that they may have been disappointed with. All boys are reminded that while it is completely normal to feel upset or disheartened by a particular score they might receive that doesn’t match their initial target, these types of setbacks should be viewed as opportunities for growth and improvement by following the steps listed below.
1. Analyse and understand the feedback
When you receive your assessment task back, take the time to review the feedback provided by your teacher. Ask yourself the following questions:
• Did you meet all the criteria outlined in the assessment task notification?
• What specific feedback did your teacher provide?
• Do you fully comprehend the feedback given?
• Can you identify the reasons behind the mark you received? If you're unsure about any aspect of the feedback, don't hesitate to ask your teacher for further clarification. Understanding where you went wrong is crucial to avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future.
2. Choose to accept or challenge
Once you've gained a clear understanding of the feedback, you have two options: accept the grade or challenge it.
Accept - if you realise that the mark reflects your performance accurately, don't dwell on it too much. Instead, acknowledge that everyone makes mistakes and view this experience as an opportunity for growth. Embrace the mindset that successful individuals use ‘failures’ as stepping stones toward improvement.
Challenge - if you genuinely believe that the mark awarded does not align with your efforts and adherence to the criteria, approach your teacher respectfully and express your viewpoint. Politely ask if they would reconsider the mark while providing evidence to support your case. Remember, advocating for yourself should always be done with respect.
3. Learn and adapt
Improvement comes from learning from your mistakes and taking action to rectify them. Make a conscious effort to identify where you went wrong and devise a plan to correct it. Consider revisiting parts of the assessment and having another go at them, rather than simply acknowledging a gap in knowledge or understanding and then moving on. Reviewing your work and trying again not only demonstrates your commitment, but also helps you to apply any feedback given more effectively.
Ask your teacher if you can examine assessment work samples from students who received a better score. Analyse their work to understand what elements contributed to their success and identify areas where your own assessment fell short.
Then for your next assessment, speak with your teacher about what you can do beforehand to be as ready as possible for the task. This proactive approach allows you to receive valuable feedback early on, giving you ample time to feel more prepared.
Overall, remember that your academic journey is about learning and growth. Embrace every assessment, whether successful or disappointing, as a chance to hone your skills and become a better student. Stay persistent, and don't let setbacks define your capabilities. With a positive attitude and willingness to learn, you'll be better prepared to face future challenges and achieve your goals. Keep striving for your personal excellence and most importantly - your own growth and improvement!
If you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me via email (glenn.stephenson@spc.nsw.edu.au) or phone (8705 9247) and I will endeavour to assist you in any way that I can.
May God bless you,
Glenn Stephenson
Director of Junior School