Secondary News
With exam week finished last week, classes are back into the regular routines. A catchphrase we’ve been using in Secondary School is “Intention to Learn”. Learning is a great privilege, and we love seeing so many of our students coming to class with an intention to learn. What a difference this makes to their own motivation and engagement.
We’ve also been talking about other influences upon motivation. ‘Mastery’ is the result of persevering with a new idea, skill, or process to the point of being able to confidently exercise that knowledge and ability. The more students see progress in this, the more motivated they are to take deeper steps in their learning.
‘Purpose’ increases motivation by helping give meaning and direction. When we understand the difference that education can make for our future – think communication, numeracy, literacy, thinking skills, practical skills, general knowledge, fine and gross motor movement and much more – we increase motivation to persist in the learning process, and do the practice that will lead to ‘mastery’.
‘Choice’ is a significant influence as well. The ‘intention to learn’ sits in this category – when we make choices about our attitude or effort towards a new skill, or towards practice, we help our brain to reset and refocus. Choice also plays a role for students as they gain more options in subjects and electives and think about career pathways. Our College based electives, which begin in Year 8, are giving subject choices to students at an earlier age than many other schools.
As students receive results and feedback from exams and assessments, or class tasks, please take the time to unpack this with your child and encourage them in their learning journey. If you have questions about specific subjects, please contact their teacher so that we can partner together effectively.
Something to look forward to is our Secondary Trivia Night, run by the Secondary Student Leadership Team. This event is planned for Tuesday 23 June – so put this date in the diary for a great night of fun and community!
As always, please feel free to contact me if you would like to connect. My email is g.xeros@wwcc.nsw.edu.au or contact the College office to arrange a time if you would like to meet in person or request a phone call.
Have a great week.
Geoffrey Xeros
Head of Secondary School
Students Explore Conservation with The Petaurus Education Group
Students from the Outdoor Education and Agriculture electives recently participated in an engaging Environmental Field Day run by the Petaurus Education Group at Mates Gully, Tarcutta. The day provided a valuable opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of biodiversity, conservation, and cultural connections to the land through a range of hands-on activities.
Students rotated through four interactive activities throughout the day. The activities included a conservation session exploring the work of Bush Heritage Australia and the importance of partnerships between conservation organisations and local landholders. A discovery walk, where students identified biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem and used iNaturalist to record species they encountered.
Students also took part in a Squirrel Glider monitoring workshop with Local Land Services, learning about this endangered species and how scientists use tools such as camera traps and transects to monitor wildlife populations.
A highlight of the day was an Aboriginal cultural session, where students explored traditional artefacts and participated in games, developing a deeper appreciation of Aboriginal culture and connection to Country.
We extend our sincere thanks to the Petaurus Education Group for organising and funding this fantastic opportunity, as well as to Mrs Cowley, Mr Harrison and Mr Kinning for supporting students throughout the day.
ANZAC Day writing competition
Secondary School students were invited to craft a poetic response to Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae’s iconic poem 'In Flanders Fields', reflecting on remembrance, sacrifice, and the lasting impact of war. Through their writing, students explored personal perspectives and creative expression while honouring the experiences of those who served.
Equal 1st place winners:
Eliza Kerr
Katherine Hyde
Highly Commended:
Oliver Brown
Samantha Walker
Matilda Hibbard
Simeon Ramlall
Jasmine Beaver
We are so proud of all those who participated in the competition!
State da Vinci Decathlon
The Year 9 team travelled to Sydney recently to compete in the State da Vinci Decathlon hosted by Knox Grammar School.
Students displayed remarkable effort and applied themselves to all tasks diligently. The team placed equal 6th in Cartography and equal 9th in Legacy. The students enjoyed the trip and the challenge, and are looking forward to next year!