Vision for Learners
Care Group Connection Evening 2021
Reflective thinking is one of the key skills students need to be successful learners and members of communities. The ability to identify and articulate their skills and abilities a is powerful driver of improvement. Tuesday night saw parents/ caregivers and students from Year 8 and Year 11 meet with Care Group teachers to do just that. Following from the work in Year 7 and Year 10 in 2020, students focused on the Independence principle from the Vision for Learners, nominated their level of aptitude against the four key aspects of the Independence principle and set some goals for progress.
Year 8 students started their self-reflection using a dartboard and the Year 11s using a series of linked hexagons. Both of these profiling tools allowed students to consider areas of strength and areas that needed growth, and formed the basis of rich conversations about learning. The presentations from the students were well received by parents and Care Group teachers and showed the depth of reflection of which our young people are capable. Further links were forged between home and the College as students articulated areas for growth that could be supported and developed both at home and at the College. What great talking points for future meals or car trips where parents/caregivers can check in with their children about how they are progressing with their goals as they move to being even more significant independent learners.
Thank you to all families who took advantage of this opportunity. We hope that you found the evening valuable. If you were unable to attend, your child will still be sharing their presentations with a teacher, so why not ask them to share with you at home as well!
Sandra Barry
Director of Learning
Sharon Ward
Director of Senior Years
Louisa Mulligan
Director of Middle Years
NAPLAN 2021: Years 7 and 9
A reminder that NAPLAN testing will be occurring in week 3 next term, 11-14 May. There are 4 tests, Reading, Writing, Conventions of Language and Numeracy, and they will all be sat in an on-line environment. All test are scheduled for before recess each day. It is expected that all students are present for these tests, and as such we ask that parents ensure that medical and specialist appointments are made outside of these times. Should you wish to withdraw your student from the NAPLAN, please contact me directly via email (Sandra.barry@endeavour.sa.edu.au) or telephone (8368 3311) as soon as possible, so that I can send you a form to be filled in. Please support your child at home to come prepared, with a charged laptop and a set of wired and working headphones. It is also important to keep this round of national testing in perspective. Students should aim to try their very best, and also remember that these are only one indicator of skills in literacy and numeracy. They provide a one day snapshot and do not take into account other important aspects that we value such as a student's level of perseverance, compassion for others, ability to be considerate and work respectfully with others, talents in areas outside of literacy and numeracy, leadership in the classroom or in extra curricular activities or their capacity to show their learning and skills in alternative formats.
Should you have any further questions about NAPLAN please contact me either by phone, 83683311, or using the email above.
Sandra Barry
Director of Learning
Learning Conversations May 4 2021
Learning Conversations are a time for students, parents/caregivers and subject teachers to meet to discuss progress in particular subject areas. Our first Learning Conversations Evening for 2021 will take place on Monday 3 May from 4pm-8pm for students in Years 8-12. Learning Conversations for Year 7 students and parents/caregivers will take place on Monday 3 May from 4pm - 8pm and Thursday 6 May from 1.30pm - 5pm.
It has been encouraging to see so many parents using Canvas as a way of supporting their child's learning. After considering the feedback posted on Canvas, parents and caregivers are encouraged to book appointment times with individual subject teachers. Information regarding the booking of appointment times will be emailed to parents in the first week of the holidays. At this time parents will also be alerted to any staff who have requested a Learning Conversation.
Learning Conversations provide a formal time to meet to discuss a student's progress and attitude to learning in a particular subject. Parents and caregivers are also encouraged to make contact with teachers throughout the term, should they wish to discuss a student's learning and progress.
Sandra Barry
Director of Learning