Learning @MFG

Making your children’s thinking ‘Visible’: A few tips for Parents

Develop a growth mindset.

A belief that intelligence and the ability to grow and develop over time - as opposed to something that is fixed and set - encourages greater risk taking, collaboration, enjoyment of challenge, long-term development, and continuous achievement in all types of learning endeavours (Carol Dweck, 2006). Develop a growth mindset in your child by focusing your praise on process, learning, and effort (You really worked hard on this and have learned a lot. You did a great job of developing a plan and following it through. You’ve really developed as a musician.), as opposed to ability (You’re so clever. Look how smart you are; you did that so fast. You’ve got a lot of talent).

You can support this change in mindset through the language we use. Here are some possible options to replace the fixed mindset:

Challenge but don’t rescue.

We learn a lot from making mistakes, pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone, and taking risks to try new things. Regularly encountering challenges, mistakes, and failure builds a growth mindset and develops intellectual resilience. When your child encounters difficulties, don’t jump in to solve the problem and rescue them. Instead, ask questions that will help them to think through the problem, identify, and choose a course of action for moving forward.

What questions did you ask today?

Our questions drive us as learners. When Isidor I.Rabi won the Nobel Prize in Physics, he was asked, ''Why did you become a scientist, rather than a doctor or lawyer or businessman, like the other immigrant kids in your neighborhood?'' He replied, ''My mother made me a scientist without ever intending it. Every other Jewish mother in Brooklyn would ask her child after school: 'So? Did you learn anything today?' But not my mother. She always asked me a different question. 'Izzy,' she would say, 'did you ask a good question today?' That difference - asking good questions - made me become a scientist!''

When your child gets home from school, ask them ‘What good questions did you ask today?’     

© Ron Ritchhart, 2012

YEAR 7 ATHLETICS – DAY 1 2016

On Thursday 28th of January our new Year 7 students descended on Landy Field for a day of competitive fun. After the previous day’s rain we were a bit nervous about what the day had in store for us. Luckily the weather was reasonably kind and we were able to go ahead with this great way to start the school year for the Year 7 students.

The students were welcomed by Mr Toussaint and then spent periods 1 and 2 with their Home Group teachers before heading off to compete in the main events of high jump, shot put, discus, javelin, long jump and sprints. All of the events were run by our Year 10 House Captains, which gave the Year 7 students a chance to interact with them.

The day was characterized by a spirit of participation, fun and friendliness and all of our girls were encouraged to give each event a go. For many, it was the first time they had thrown a javelin or shot put and the first time they had spoken with other students outside of their Home Group. It was a wonderful opportunity for our Home Group teachers and other staff to observe their students and get to know them in a more informal setting.

It was also a fun way for the Year 7s to start the next chapter of their schooling adventure. Well done to the students for giving the events a go, trying something new and for smiling through the brief rain showers. A big thanks to everyone who was involved for making the day a great success, particularly Mr Ben Lehmann, the Year 7 Home Group teachers and the staff who helped out on the day. 

Term 1 Student-Parent-Teacher Learning Conferences

Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences will be held on Tuesday 8h March between 12pm and 7pm on the Main Campus of the College. There will be no classes in the morning and your daughter is expected to attend the Conference with you. Teachers will be having a meal break between 4.30 to 5.15pm so please do not make a booking during this time. Information about this event will be posted to parents during the next couple of weeks.

There will be an information session about how to make a booking using Compass in the Multi-Purpose Room on the Main Campus on Monday February 22nd between 6 and 7pm. This session is especially aimed at parents of new Year 7 students but it will also give other parents an opportunity to ask specific questions relating to Compass and cover other topics like how to view interim reports and Learning Tasks, how to approve a student absence and some other features of Compass.

COMPASS at MFGSC

If you have tried to log into the portal and are having difficulty please contact Mr Bruce Bauer at the school on 4243 0500. New parents/carers will receive information in the mail soon.

Damien Toussaint, Assistant Principal, Learning and Teaching