DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - TEACHING & LEARNING

Vision for Teaching and Learning at St Mary MacKillop College - a statement that drives the development of a high performance learning culture at SMMC

At St Mary MacKillop College we have high expectations of our students so we equip them with the knowledge, skills and dispositions for lifelong learning. We pursue excellence through a teaching and learning environment that is inclusive, engaging and encourages growth. We value collaboration, innovation and building strong relationships. As we head towards the end of the term, our students are busy completing final assessments, and our Year 8 to 11 students will soon complete exams.

2026 VCE Exams

The VCE written exams commenced on Tuesday with the three-hour English exam. The exams our Year 12 students will complete over the coming weeks are a culmination of 13 years of learning, study, and personal organisation. As our students continue their exams, we wish them all the very best and encourage them to study hard, sleep and eat well, take brain breaks while studying, and maintain good levels of exercise. I know our students will enter each exam well prepared by our amazing teachers, and by their own effort and commitment to their studies.

We extend our best wishes to the senior VCE VM / VPC students as they transition into apprenticeships, traineeships, further study or employment. We are very proud of our students in the class of 2026, and wish them every success over the next few weeks of their final school year.

Year 10 and 11 Exams

Soon our Year 10 and 11 students will receive their end of year exam timetables. Reviewing study notes and exam preparation should be underway for these students. An interesting question I am often asked is, ‘Why do we have exams?’. A search on the Internet will reveal many reasons why exams are important. Exams are one part of a student’s academic journey and they help to develop a range of skills. In particular:

Time management: Exams require students to manage their time effectively, both during the process of preparing for the exam, and also during the actual exam. During the exam students are being tested on their ability to complete the exam questions in a specified time frame.

Memory and recall: In order to achieve success in exams, students need to retain, recall and apply information that has been taught to them.

Critical thinking: Exam questions often move beyond the simple recall of facts, and require students to think more deeply and analyse, evaluate, and synthesise information. This assists students in developing critical thinking skills.

Communication: Often exam responses require students to communicate their ideas clearly and in a logical manner. Performance exams, such as oral exams for languages, require students to articulate their thoughts on the spot as they respond to the questions from the assessors.

Problem-solving: Depending on the subject and exam, students may be required to solve problems or apply their skills and knowledge to real-world contexts, rather than simply recounting facts.

Organisation and planning: In the lead up to and throughout the exam period, students need to organise their time effectively in order to be thoroughly prepared for each exam they will undertake.

Resilience: We know completing exams can be a stressful experience. However, exams provide an opportunity for students to learn to cope with stressful situations, and to develop resilience and perseverance. (adapted from https://tokyo.globalindianschool.org/blog-details/what-is-the-importance-of-exams-for-students-in-schools)

Please find here the link to a short video I have shared over the past few years on preparing for exams and study skills.

Renewable Energy Futures Program

This week the Renewable Energy Futures program concluded. This has been an enrichment opportunity provided to high achieving students in Year 7 and 8. The group attended an all-day excursion to the Bendigo Tech School on Wednesday. At the Bendigo Tech School, the students delivered their group presentations they have been working on in class. Each group presented their prototypes focusing on new ways to create renewable energy in Swan Hill. I congratulate our students for working collaboratively to develop their presentations, and for speaking so articulately as they presented to their peers. The students also asked thoughtful questions to each group after their presentation.

After the presentations, the group got to play with some of the technology in the school. Thank you also to Mrs Bell who worked with the team from the Bendigo Tech School to co-deliver the program, and to Paul Pellegrino for driving us to Bendigo.

Happy World Teachers’ Day 2026

World Teachers’ Day is held across Australia today, Friday 30 October. It is a day to celebrate the difference our amazing teachers make every day to the lives of our young learners. Our teachers make a positive contribution and impact in our community, and we thank them for their passion, commitment and dedication for education as they inspire the students at St Mary MacKillop College. They consistently go above and beyond in their work to ensure our students feel safe and supported in their learning.

National Symposium on Japanese Language Education (NSJLE)

Every two years, the Japan Foundation Sydney, Japan's official public institution dedicated to promoting international cultural exchange and deepening mutual understanding between Japan and the rest of the world, in conjunction with the Monash Japanese Language Education Hub in Melbourne, organises the National Symposium on Japanese Language Education (NSJLE). This is a national two-day symposium for Japanese teachers from primary and secondary schools and tertiary institutions. It is an opportunity for the Japanese teaching community to gather and learn about Japanese language education at a national level. I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to present a workshop at the symposium today. The focus of my workshop was on strategies to support students learning Japanese. The symposium concludes tomorrow, and on Sunday, in my role as President of the Japanese Language Teachers’ Association of Victoria Inc. (JLTAV), I will attend a meeting with the presidents of the Japanese language teachers’ associations from across Australia. I will also present a session on leading with influence.

Nathan Lane

Deputy Principal Teaching & Learning