Deputy Principal, Teaching and Learning
Family Meal
At the Scholars’ Assembly this week we celebrated learning at its best. The students that have persevered, shown commitment to their academic program, and achieved consistently high results were recognised in front of the whole College community.
The students that walked across the stage at Scholars’ Assembly have been learning how to learn at school and at home; they have learned how to contribute to their classes and have a positive impact on others - all during a global pandemic. Our scholars have learned what it takes to work hard, be consistent and achieve high academic success.
But one of the most important factors in the success of our students is invisible. Professor John Hattie’s research on Visible Learning suggests that the work of the student, the teacher, the school, peers, and the leadership all contribute to high student outcomes. The one other key contributor is the home. Parents and guardians, and the Boarding House family home, all play a crucial role in each one of these students achieving success.
You might wonder what that looks like in reality. Some parents have shown their children that education is valuable by encouraging reading at home, by taking an active interest in learning and new ideas. Families travel and experience new people, places, and cultures and all of this contributes to shaping our young people.
But the research suggests that one of the factors that consistently contribute to high academic achievement is the family meal. A 15 year-long study by Dr. Catherine Snow at Harvard’s Graduate School showed that mealtime conversations teach children more vocabulary than when parents read to them. Researchers at Columbia University found a striking relationship between frequency of mealtimes and grades.
Eating meals together as a family appears to be a strong predictor of academic success. The routine of preparing and sharing meals regularly creates a sense of family togetherness and unity, thus building connectedness and strong foundations for wellbeing.
We value the partnership we have between student, parent, and teacher. And we encourage you to celebrate learning at home by showing love over a shared family meal.
Recipe of the week: Frying Pan Beef Enchiladas | Donna Hay
Important Teaching and Learning Information:
External Providers
Students are now settling into their learning program for 2022. Students who are working with Virtual School Victoria, Victorian School of Languages, RIST, HDSC or GO Tafe will have now commenced their orientation and new programs. If your child is enrolled with an external provider, please keep in contact with them and let the mentor know if your child has questions.
Subject Changes
We do not encourage subject changes. Individual student programs are determined after consultation with parents, our Careers Practitioner, and other key staff. But we know that sometimes changes are necessary if the fit is not right, or a student has a new career interest. Your child should talk to their mentor in the first instance. All learning programs should be finalised by the end of Week 3.
Student Teacher Mentor Interviews
These online interviews are scheduled for Week 5. More information about how to book and secure you time with the mentor will be published next week.
Homework
Teachers are actively setting homework each night so that students have time to consolidate and review learning. We encourage parents to check the Student Record Book for up-to-date information and communication from teachers. PAM via SIMON is also an important source of information about your child’s upcoming assessment tasks and due dates.
We are committed to strengthening the communication with our College family and we invite parents to provide us with feedback about our programs and processes so that we can serve you and your child and allow them to achieve academically.
Susan Bradbeer
Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning
VCE Mathematics
Many students find the increase in difficulty from Year 10 maths to VCE Methods a challenge. However, if students set realistic goals and put in the work, the challenges can be overcome.
If you’re child has picked Maths Methods as a VCE subject, chances are they’re planning to go into something numbers based at university. If so, then it is highly likely they will use the skills in their degree. Even if it’s not a prerequisite for their chosen degree, any course that involves numbers will require your child to learn what is covered in Methods at some point, so why not get stuck in now!
Choosing to study Mathematical Methods in VCE is of great challenge and reward. It is important that once your child has chosen such levels of mathematics that they persist and seek out the challenge it provides.
If your child is finding Methods challenging, there is plenty of support at school and in the Boarding House, so please make sure you take advantage of this. The Mathematics Department is transitioning to make Wednesdays “Maths Night” in the library after school and Mathematic tutoring is available in the Boarding House three times a week.
It is recommended that VCE mathematical students complete at least Unit 1 of VCE before requesting to change subjects. This allows students time to adjust, adapt and make an informed decision around their mathematical studies.
Tim Cameron
Acting Head of Mathematics
Tech Tips, Tricks and Troubleshooting
Welcome to the first of what I hope to be a weekly post relating to our use of technology at The Hamilton and Alexandra College. The posts will include: information about the devices and programs we use, who to call if there are problems, and new initiatives that may be launched during the year.
You might wonder why are you hearing this news from a History teacher? Last year I was announced as a Microsoft Fellow, and I have been part of the Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert program for about five years. This means I get to see what other schools do and what new products or updates can add to our teaching and learning.
Our College has been an early adopter of 1:1 technology with our first Year 9 class issued devices in 2012. Prior to that, all teachers were issued staff devices in my second year of teaching here - a rare occurrence back then! We now have computers accessible for students throughout the school.
We choose to use Microsoft products because they offer powerful solutions for teaching and learning. In the recent lockdown years, we had an amazing head start over many schools as we were already familiar with the products we came to rely on while teaching and learning from home.
Without our amazing technical staff, Mr Mitchell Clode and Mr James Kruger, life would be very difficult. These are the people parents should reach out to if their student has a technical issue with their device.
Mr Peter Steer is Head of Information Technology and teaches computer-based subjects across all year levels. This year his VCE students will acquire CISCO certification if they complete their course.
Mr Carroll takes classes in lower secondary in Digital Technology.
Our Junior School students use many of the same products and are introduced to them by their teachers at appropriate times, allowing for a seamless transition to Senior School.
Our devices are all touch screen and issued with a digital pen. It is also possible to write or draw with fingers. If you wish to learn more this article may be of interest: Why Using a Pen is Better for Your Brain - Pen Science Series Intro! (tabletpc.com.au).
If your secondary child is having issues with their computer, please ask them to visit the Technical Team in their office. They can also request to buy a new pen if theirs has gone missing.
Best wishes to all for an exciting new year and the 150th celebrations of our College.
Margaret Simkin
Chinese New Year Celebration
Happy Tiger Year! The Year of Tiger started on 1 February and in the two-week celebration period, students across two campuses celebrated it in many ways.
Junior School students had a great time watching videos about the Story of Nian and the Great Race of the twelve zodiac animals. Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 students made lanterns of the twelve zodiac animals. Year 3 and 4 made Chinese dragon chatterboxes. Year 5 and 6 students did papercuts of the character “Spring”.
In the Senior School, Year 7 students did papercuts of Spring Tiger and put up the decorations in their classrooms. Year 8 and Year 9 students did Chinese calligraphy, writing Fu Character and Spring Scroll on square and rectangular red paper. Year 10 students make red packets and filled in each with the best wishes for their friends. VCE students also got a chance to take a break from their busy studies and enjoyed coin chocolates.
Congratulations to Molly Mecham, Finley Hiscock, Finlay Hunt, Amelia Jackson and Emily Featherston who won the red packet search in senior campus and had a chance to enjoy the sweet monetary gift in it.
Ms Yang Liu
Head of Languages, Chinese Teacher