From the Principal's office

Mr Coleman writes...

NAPLAN results were released recently and it was very pleasing to see a number of improvements in each grade in different areas. This was very encouraging for staff who have been working hard to help students make progress in literacy and numeracy. Although a snapshot of a student’s achievement over a two-year period, NAPLAN does provide some good data to us which we can use in conjunction with other internal assessment data. From next year, NAPLAN will be online and it is felt that this will be good for students. In order to prepare for this significant change, we will hold (like all schools are doing) a readiness test next week. Whole grades will be sitting the ‘tests’ which will allow us to identify any potential issues. We aren’t anticipating any as a number of staff have been doing a lot of work for this. Many thanks go to Mr Day, Mrs Tindall, Mr Boshoff, Mr Duffy and Mr McKendry for their efforts.

Teachers have been spending some considerable time examining the issue of student engagement. Based on regular academic readings, staff meetings have been a place of thoughtful discussion, reflection and idea generation. It has been wonderful to walk around the school and see small group discussion go way beyond the expected finish time; an indication of staff commitment to increasing student engagement in lessons. In addition to this professional learning, the July Conference Week saw teachers participate in a number of workshops including Positive Behaviour Management and Motivating Students.

I attended last week the Primary CSSA Athletics Carnival in Sydney. The freezing, strong wind made some events a bit difficult but there was the ever-present TCC enthusiasm and support for each other. Along the sidelines students, parents and teachers cheered on our students who all did their best. Congratulations to both Primary and Secondary students who made it to CSSA and we hope for much success for those who have progressed to the next stage, CIS.

Although you wouldn’t have noticed anything, the College has recently transitioned to a new school management IT system which is already proving to be very convenient. Naturally, changing computer systems is a mammoth task. Congratulations and thanks go to the Administration and IT teams who worked during the holidays and even Sundays in order to make this a success. Thanks also go to Mr Day and Mrs Wallis.

Next holidays, I am off to Japan with 12 students, three parents, Mr Green and Ms Bevan. We will spend one week in Tokyo where students will have a homestay and participate in a school program. Following that will be visits to Hiroshima and Kyoto. Please pray for us. We will be sharing our experience upon our return.

Many good things are happening here at the College and we give thanks to the Lord for his leading, blessing and protection.