SECONDARY NEWS
From the Assistant Principal

Miss Kim Bailey
kbailey@arm.catholic.edu.au

Reminders...

Events

Please check Compass and consent to any upcoming Secondary events.

Field Events on Thursday

Students will participate in the second round of field events on the oval this Thursday. They may wear their House coloured shirts to school.

Winter Uniform

The majority of students are congratulated as they have been wearing their full winter uniform. Please provide a note to Pastoral Care teachers in roll call if students are out of uniform for any reason.

There are a lot of items of winter uniform in lost property.

PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT ITEMS OF CLOTHING ARE LABELLED WITH STUDENT NAMES.

Good Luck...

It is a quiet week this week!

Congratulations...

Chess

Congratulations to the Chess team that played Narrabri High School at HTS on Monday. They were victorious again and moved to the next round.

Secondary Student Participation at the Athletics Carnival

Congratulations to all students who attended the carnival last Friday. There was a lot of participation on the track, with Year 10 leading by example. The House Captains and Year 10 students also motivated their Houses and encouraged lots of House spirit.

Congratulations to Griffin Sanderson, who broke a very long-standing record in the 200 m.

Reports

Most students have completed their assessments for the term; however, some tasks remain, and new content is being studied. Reports will be completed in the next few weeks and distributed to parents in Week 10. If you have any concerns or queries regarding this matter, please contact the school.

Making the most of opportunities...

ICAS - Assessment Platform (Available to Years 3-10)

What is ICAS? ICAS is an online academic competition that is designed to assess students’ higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics and Science. Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition and development. Every student who participates will receive a printed certificate and an online results report. Top performers will be eligible for medals. We encourage you to consider entering your child into ICAS this year.

How to participate in ICAS If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please:

1. Read about ICAS subjects and prices here: (icasassessments.com/products-icas/)

2. Go to Parent Portal to purchase tests here:(shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps)

3. Enter our school’s access code – [insert access code] (Our code is XEQ247)

4. Enter your child’s details and select the tests you would like to purchase.

All payments must be done online as this is an external assessment.

English: 12-16 August

Mathematics: 26-30 August

Science: 19-23 August

Closing date: 15 July 2024.

REMEMBER to accept the invitation to Google Classroom Guardian Summaries

Device Policy

Students are not permitted to use their devices unless instructed by a teacher. This includes both the classroom and the playground. The students are aware of this policy and receive constant reminders in Pastoral Care, their teaching classes and there are also many posters displayed all around the school.

If a student needs to use their device, they must first seek permission from a teacher and use it in an area designated by the teacher. This is usually under their direct supervision or outside the Secondary staffroom.

If students are unable to follow this policy, their phones are confiscated and placed securely in Miss Bailey's office, where they are collected by the student at the end of the school day.

Teachers record each time a device is confiscated. After it is confiscated for a second time, it remains at school until it can be collected by a parent or carer.

STUDY SKILLS TIPS

LEARNING COLLABORATIVELY

We all have unique preferences when it comes to learning. Some students thrive in group settings, while others prefer solitary work. Certain individuals enjoy discussing topics over the phone or video calls, while some thrive in face-to-face collaborations. The saying "two heads are better than one" holds true, and it is interesting to explore how this applies to different types of students.

If you tend to work alone most of the time, there are a few aspects worth considering:

It's commendable that you are self-sufficient and confident in your abilities. However, it's important to recognise that at times, not asking for help when needed can make things more challenging for yourself. Don't hesitate to seek assistance when facing difficulties or struggling to comprehend something. Asking for help is a valuable skill that contributes to academic success. Become more aware of your tendency to avoid asking for help and make an effort to reach out when needed.

Engaging in discussions with others often offers fresh perspectives and the opportunity to clarify your thoughts. By collaborating and exchanging ideas with another person, you may enhance the development of your own concepts and uncover potential issues that a new perspective can identify. If you haven't explored collaboration extensively, consider giving it a try. You might be pleasantly surprised by the value it adds to your learning experience.

On the other hand, if you already enjoy working with others, here are some points to keep in mind:

Ensure that you contribute equally in group work and avoid relying on others to do all the work for you. Fair and balanced participation leads to a more productive and fulfilling collaborative environment.

Remember that collaboration is distinct from cheating. While discussing an assignment and sharing thoughts on its approach is acceptable, it is not appropriate to jointly write the assignment or submit similar pieces of work. Maintain academic integrity and respect the boundaries of collaborative efforts.

Stay focused and avoid wasting time during collaborative sessions. It's easy to get sidetracked, so make a conscious effort to remain on task and avoid distractions when working with others.

Occasionally, challenge yourself to tackle tasks independently. If you consistently rely on your friends to complete your Maths homework, you may not truly gauge your own abilities. This lack of self-assessment can become problematic during tests or exams. Consider whether collaboration will genuinely enhance your work or if it is more suitable to attempt certain tasks on your own.

Allocate specific time for independent work each night. If you prefer to collaborate while working from home, establish dedicated periods for collaboration and separate blocks for independent work. Avoid spending the entire evening on video calls with friends and instead create a balance between collaboration and individual effort.

By reflecting on these points and adapting your approach to learning, you can maximize your potential and create a well-rounded academic experience. Embrace the strengths of both solitary work and collaboration and leverage them accordingly to foster personal growth and academic achievement.

Making Contact with Teachers in the Secondary

If you have any questions or concerns about your child's learning or wellbeing, please make contact with Miss Bailey, your child's Pastoral Care teacher or their subject teacher. We are only too happy to assist.