Learning and Teaching - In the classroom 

After a tumultuous two years of Covid interrupted learning, our focus at the beginning of the year has been to create and sustain a positive learning environment that will engage our students in their learning. Collectively, our teachers have been working hard to engage students the minute they walk in the classroom and spending time better understanding who they are not just as people, but learners too.

Last week we met with our student leaders from all year levels and were pleased to hear positive feedback about the great things happening in our classrooms. We are proud of how smoothly students and staff have started this year, despite the on-going challenges we face with Covid, and we wanted to share with you some of the reflections our Leaders shared with us last week.

The effort put in by teachers to keep lessons engaging has definitely made getting back to school a lot easier. The addition of the “Do Now” activities and the rubrics have really helped to keep students working productively and identifying areas to improve. Thanks to all the staff and teachers for such a great transition back to school, looking forward to a fantastic year! Emma Lawler, year 12 student, College Captain

The amount and the quality of feedback we get each class has improved significantly from previous years. Not only after formal tests but during activities in the class too. The use of rubrics run by students and teachers that are updated often really help each student stay on track and aim for those stretch skills. Ulysses Rigano, year 12 student, College Captain

Each lesson has been beginning with a "Do Now" or Starter activity. These activities help to engage the students, break up the lesson, get everyone into a good mindset for that class and help to achieve a regular routine/schedule for the class. It's small things like this that go a long way into making sure everyone has a smooth transition back into on site learning after a long 2 years of remote learning, and it is important that the Do Now activities continue to happen for the rest of the Term and hopefully the year. Bailey Lubin, year 12 student, College Captain

The quality communication from teachers to students regarding assessment dates, AOS timelines and how our developmental rubrics related to what's being taught in class has resulted in a smooth transition back to school, especially for us senior students. Thanks to this effective communication, I am aware of what's coming up ahead, and can efficiently manage my time, so we'll done team Emma Cameron, year 12, College Captain

I really like how the teachers are starting a class with a Do Now activity to bring students minds into the lessons and because of the lockdown it was hard to concentrate on the task we needed to complete. Doing these small things help us students a lot and help us get engaged in the class. Baiden Moroney, year 8, Student Leader

I like how the teachers are making sure we aren't on our laptops for the whole lesson. They make us actually write things down on paper. The do now activities help us to engage in the work straight away which is a good thing. and the teachers let us work at our own pace which is good too. Sophie Evans, year 10, Student Leader

I found that with the do now activities put in place, as a part of the class routine, made a major difference for not only myself but for the whole class. It creates a great learning environment that makes sure everyone is in the right mindset for that particular lesson. We all agreed at the Captain’s Lunch last week that we would like the Do Now activities need to stick around after Term One. Katherine Styles, year 9, Student Leader

Carrie Wallis

Assistant Principal