DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - TEACHING & LEARNING REPORT 

Vision for Teaching and Learning at St Mary MacKillop College - a statement that drives the development of a high performance learning culture at SMMC

At St Mary MacKillop College we have high expectations of our students as we equip them with the knowledge, skills and dispositions for lifelong learning. We pursue excellence through a teaching and learning environment that is inclusive, engaging and encourages growth. We value collaboration, innovation and building strong relationships.

We find ourselves at the end of Term 3. I hope our community has had a great term.

VCE Trial Exams and Exam Preparation

The first week of the upcoming holiday break provides an opportunity for our students completing Unit 3/4 subjects to rest and recharge away from their computer screens, to organise the notes and summaries they have made for their Unit 3/4 subjects, as well as reread novels and texts. This targeted preparation is the foundation for the trial exams that will start in week 2 of the holidays.

In preparation for the VCE exam period in October and November, all students studying a Unit 3/4 subject will complete trial exams during the September holiday break from Monday 25th September to Wednesday 27th September. These exams provide an opportunity for students to experience the same exam conditions as they will for their actual exams. The trial exams help to identify areas of strength and areas that require focus in the lead up to the VCE exams, and provide practice in time management. I wish our students all the best as they prepare for their exams. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We ask parents to support their child to approach the trial exams with determination and commitment.

It is important to keep in mind the following as you prepare for your exams:

• Be organised and prepare early rather than later. The more organised you are will assist in achieving success in your exams.
• Prepare a study plan and routine. Make sure you give yourself enough time to study for the exam. Studying in small blocks of time on a regular basis is more effective than revising once a week for a subject.
• Organise a study space away from distractions (turn off your phone and the television)
• Take regular breaks to recharge
• Study with a group of friends if that works for you, but make sure you remain focused
• Complete practice exams if available
• Actively seek feedback from your teachers when there is something you still need to clarify
• If you catch the bus to or from school, make use of that time to review your notes or cue cards
• Using online sites such as Quizlet might be useful for creating flashcards
• Approach your studies with a growth mindset. We know there are times for all of us when we face challenges, but if we approach things with a growth mindset then we are more likely to succeed.

When it comes to revising for exams (and SACs for that matter!), variety makes learning fun. I encourage our students to be innovative in the way they study for their exams. You might consider some of the following:

• Use a mini whiteboard to test yourself
• Use the voice record function on your phone and record responses to questions or summaries you can listen to later
• Handwrite flashcards (or create them on Quizlet) and test yourself as you walk around the block – exercise and study at the same time!
• Find some chalk and brainstorm a response to a question on the driveway at home

When our VCE/VCAL students return in Term 4, they only have a couple of weeks of their secondary schooling left, and they need to maintain focus in order to achieve their personal best in their final SACs and end-of-year exams. Many thanks to our committed staff who continue to support our VCE/VCAL students in achieving their academic goals for 2023.

We wish our community a safe and enjoyable holiday break. We look forward to seeing everyone back at school at the start of Term 4, refreshed and re-energised for another term of learning.

Year 12 Trial Exam Timetable can be found here. 

Academic Recognition Program

This week teachers nominated students from their Year 8 classes for academic and endeavour recognition. The following students were nominated:

Academic Recognition

Digital Technologies: Charlie Conway

Science: Julian Muir

Japanese: Marion Doherty and Charlie Graham

English: Reese Parsons, Nioka Nalder

Drama: Calyssa Baber

Food Technology: Sabrina Valenzuela

Health: Nioka Nalder

RE: Reesha Khosa

Endeavour Recognition

Digital Technologies: James Williamson

Science: Benji Anderson

Japanese: Luciana Senes and Nioka Nalder

English: Billy Kentish, Kyra Croft

Drama: Catherine Morpeth

Food Technology: Amber Brown

Health: Scarlet Grey

RE: Joe Lester

Thank you to the Academic Committee for organising this initiaitive.