Leader of Teaching & Learning 

Term 3 is certainly an action packed term.  Excursions, assessment tasks, examinations. Learning is ongoing, students are busy, teachers are busy and our teaching and learning team continue to pursue those initiatives that are proven to make a difference with enthusiasm.

Year 12 students have been exceptional in their completion of the Practical Examinations and submission of Major Works that have been held these past weeks at the College. Congratulations to the staff and students involved.

In these final weeks, I will meet with students and give them an overview of what to expect during their HSC examinations. These exams are supervised by an expert external team and students will be prepped further about the requirements around attendance, illness and misadventure procedures, approved equipment and generally what to expect in the HSC examinations. Please ensure you are clear about NESA rules, procedures and protocols and email me with any questions to clarify. 

Many of our staff have, once again, availed themselves to Year 12 students during the school holidays for revision sessions. This is a very generous offer and students have been reminded to turn up if they have agreed to commit themselves to this extra curricular offer.

During Term 1 this year, Year 12 and I discussed the decisions and actions that move us towards the goals we want compared to those decisions and actions that move us away from the goals we want. With 50% of the total HSC mark still up for grabs Year 12, I encourage you to make the choices that will move you towards your goals; work hard, go for gold ...another choice point is before you!

Year 11 will complete their examinations in Week 9 and 10 and they have received their published timetable. Please be sure to contact the College if for any reason your child is unable to attend. The blue forms used to apply for special consideration must be completed upon return with acceptable documentation (eg a doctor’s certificate) attached. 

Over these final weeks of the term, Year 8 students will consider their elective choices for next year and we will begin this process with a Year meeting. This year, we have expanded our offerings to include new elective choices such as Dance, Design & Technology, Work Education and more. The Teaching and Learning team made the decision to move towards 100 hour electives. This means that students can potentially choose up to four electives in Stage 5 over the course of two years. More choice and greater variety, Stage 5 is shaping up to be very engaging, indeed.

Congratulations to Year 10 and Year 9 students who made application for TVET courses. These applications are now closed for the 2020 intake. With the increase in student applications we have had to prioritise students. Year 10 students are readily making applications and gaining success securing School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships. For further details on these programs please contact Mrs Kellahan our VET Coordinator.

STUDY SKILLS TIP FOR SEPTEMBER: GETTING MOTIVATED TO DO YOUR WORK

If you are struggling to get motivated to do your schoolwork, sadly there is no magic solution. However, here are a few strategies you can try from the DEVELOPING MOTIVATION and OVERCOMING PROCRASTINATION units if motivation or procrastination is an issue for you:

• REWARDS: Set yourself small specific tasks to do with a specific reward at the end of the task. For some people little rewards are enough to get them going. 
• CHUNK IT DOWN: If the work seems overwhelming or boring or unappealing, break it down into small bearable chunks and just do it one piece at a time. 
• FRIENDS: Work with a friend or else tell your friend what work you want to get done and then check in on each other at the end of the night. Help each other stay on track.
• RULE OF 3: If you can’t get started, write down the 3 most important things you must get done before you go to bed, then don’t even look at any other tasks until these 3 are completed.
• MOTIVATING IMAGES: Find slogans, or images that motivate you and put them near your workspace.  Some people are motivated by pain (thinking of the consequences if you don’t study) while others are motivated by pleasure (thinking of all the good outcomes that will happen if you do study).

Learn more at www.studyskillshandbook.com.au.

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Mrs Raelene Maxworthy - Leader of Teaching & Learning