Learning & Teaching
Semester 1 Awards Night
Each semester our teachers are asked to nominate the students in their classes who are consistently performing well above the expected level. We look forward to recognising the excellent achievement of our Year 7-11 students with staff, students and parents in our annual mid-year awards ceremony next week.
Invitations have been sent to parents of students receiving Academic Achievement Awards in one or more subjects for Semester One. The Awards Program is in two parts:
Part 1 - Year 7 and 8 Awards
5:15pm - All student award recipients should arrive at the Orchard by this time.
5:30 pm - 6:10pm - Presentation (Theatre)
Part 2 - Year 9 to 11 Awards
6:15pm - All student award recipients should arrive at the Orchard by this time.
6:30pm - 7:15pm - Presentation (Theatre) ea & Coffee will be available in the theatre foyer for parents.
Moments of Choice - significant decisions in secondary school
Moments of Inspiration - significant interactions with others
Academic Review Conferences Semester 2
On Wed 6 August, the ARC conference bookings will be open for interview bookings.
The ARCs are an opportunity for parents, students and mentors to have meaningful discussions about student learning progress, strengths and areas for improvement. They support our students to take greater ownership of their learning and academic success. Students in all year levels will participate in year level assemblies over coming days to understand their role in the conferences and to prepare for the conferences by reviewing their previous goals, identify their current engagement and performance at school and future improvement goals and strategies.
This model is a deliberate departure from the traditional conference model as it shifts the focus towards student influences on learning and supports students to understand the significant impact that the students own behaviours, attitudes and efforts have on learning outcomes.
Did you know that 50% of the influence on student achievement at school is determined by what the students bring into the class?
Pivotal research into factors that impact on students’ achievement by Professor John Hattie found the following:
Student factors have by far the biggest influence on their academic achievement. 50% of variation in student achievement is based on what the student brings into the classroom - their cognitive skills, learning skills, prior achievement, motivative and other factors.
Parents factors contribute 5-10% towards the variation in achievement, esp. parents’ levels of expectation, encouragement and support.
Teachers and teaching factors account for about 30% of the variance in student achievement. It is what teachers know, do, and care about which is very powerful in this learning equation.
ARCs are compulsory from year 7-12 and the ACR mentors will send an email with additional information about the booking process on wed next week.
Natalie Manser
Assistant Principal
mar@wantirnacollege.vic.gov.au