From the Director of Teaching and Learning K–12

At St Mary’s College, we know that strong partnerships between home and school are central to supporting every student’s growth. When students, families and teachers work together with a shared understanding of learning goals and progress, young people are more confident, motivated and successful. As we move further into the school year, our upcoming learning conferences and ongoing online feedback processes provide valuable opportunities to strengthen this partnership.

This week, we look forward to our Junior School Learning Conferences. These meetings offer an important opportunity to discuss how students are settling into the new school year and allow families to share relevant insights from home. They also give teachers the chance to provide feedback on early progress, and together, to establish meaningful goals for the year ahead. Students have already been engaging in goal-setting conversations in their classrooms, and these conferences extend that reflection by ensuring everyone is aligned in supporting each child’s development.

Goal setting is equally important for our senior students. Year 11 and 12 Student Led Learning Conferences, taking place on Wednesday 1 April, will provide an opportunity for students to reflect on their learning so far and to develop SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound) to guide their next steps. Although our senior secondary students are approaching adulthood, the partnership between school and home remains vital. Open communication and shared expectations help ensure that students feel supported as they navigate the increasing demands of their final years of schooling.

Learning Conferences for Years 7–10 will be held at the beginning of Term 2. In the meantime, you can continue to engage with your child’s learning through Connect. Evidence of learning and examples of student work are regularly posted across subject areas, providing a clear overview of what students are learning, areas of strength and areas for further growth. Taking time to review and discuss this work at home reinforces its importance and encourages students to reflect more deeply on their progress.

Research consistently shows that effective feedback has a powerful impact on student growth. In our classrooms, feedback is designed to help students answer three key questions: Where am I going? How am I going to get there? And where to next? This approach strengthens students’ understanding of their achievement and increases their confidence in how to improve. Over time, it supports them to take greater ownership of their learning.

With all of this in mind, please make sure you have access to Connect and are checking it regularly, as it is our one-stop shop for all things assessment, reporting and feedback. By working together, we ensure that every learner is supported, challenged and empowered to achieve their personal best.