Westall Secondary College Newsletter

Assistant Principal (VM, 9/10) Report 

Mr Travis Mcintosh

Report from Assistant Principal Travis Mcintosh

Dear Parents and Students,

 

As we reach the end of another exciting semester, I am filled with pride and gratitude for the hard work and accomplishments of our students and staff. It has been a period of growth, learning, and numerous achievements but it’s also a time to take a moment to reflect on the results and experiences of the past few months, particularly with semester reports being made available this week. 

 

Reflecting on our academic performance and personal growth is important, not only to celebrate the successes but to also look at ways at how we can get better. I encourage all staff, students, and their families to utilise the break to recharge and reflect on their achievements but look ahead at the opportunities that Semester 2 can bring. 

 

Parents/ Guardians are encouraged to sit down with their children to discuss how they can utilise the strategies for improvement to make those adjustments and the Japanese concept of Kaizen recently that I wrote about in the last school newsletter, starting with small, daily improvements with a focus on getting 1% better each and every day.

Why Reflect on Semester 1 Results?

  1. Identify Strengths and Weaknesses:
  2. Set Realistic Goals:
  3. Learn from Mistakes:
  4. Enhance Self-Awareness:
  • Understanding areas of strength can boost confidence and provide a foundation to build upon.
  • Recognizing weaknesses allows for targeted improvement, ensuring a well-rounded academic and personal development.
  • Reflection helps in setting specific, achievable goals for the next semester, fostering a sense of direction and purpose.
  • Clear goals motivate students to stay focused and dedicated.
  • Analysing past mistakes is a powerful tool for learning and avoiding similar pitfalls in the future.
  • This process encourages a growth mindset, where challenges are viewed as opportunities to improve.
  • Reflecting on performance helps students understand their learning styles and preferences, allowing them to adopt strategies that work best for them.
  • Self-awareness fosters better decision-making and problem-solving skills.

Strategies for Improvement

  1. Review and Analyse:
  2. Set SMART Goals:
  3. Develop a Study Plan:
  4. Utilize Resources:
  5. Improve Study Habits:
  6. Maintain Open Communication:
  7. Focus on Well-Being:
  • Grades and Feedback: Go through semester reports, teacher comments, and graded assignments. Identify patterns in the feedback.
  • Self-Assessment: Encourage students to reflect on their own experiences. What subjects did they enjoy? Where did they struggle?
  • Specific: Define clear and precise goals. Instead of "improve in math," aim for "increase my math grade by one letter."
  • Measurable: Establish criteria to track progress, such as quiz scores or homework completion rates.
  • Achievable: Set realistic goals that challenge but do not overwhelm.
  • Relevant: Ensure goals are meaningful and aligned with long-term aspirations.
  • Time-Bound: Set deadlines to maintain a sense of urgency and focus.
  • Create a Schedule: Allocate specific times for studying, homework, and extracurricular activities to ensure a balanced routine.
  • Prioritize Tasks: Focus on the most critical areas first, ensuring that challenging subjects receive adequate attention.
  • Tutoring and Extra Help: Take advantage of tutoring services, study groups, and extra help sessions offered by the school.
  • Online Resources: Use educational websites, videos, and apps that provide additional practice and explanations.
  • Active Learning: Engage in active learning techniques such as summarizing information, teaching concepts to others, and using flashcards.
  • Breaks and Rest: Ensure regular breaks during study sessions to maintain concentration and avoid burnout.
  • Parents and Teachers: Parents should regularly communicate with teachers to stay informed about their child's progress and areas needing support.
  • Student and Teacher: Students should not hesitate to ask teachers for clarification or additional help when needed.
  • Healthy Lifestyle: Encourage a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep to ensure physical and mental well-being.
  • Stress Management: Practice stress management techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, or hobbies that promote relaxation.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Michelle Collins, Director of Learning Middle School for her hard work and commitment to implementing the Yr. 9 Future You Week, a week omg event designed to provide students the opportunity to explore career pathways before course counselling begins and Geraldine Borgonha and her team in coordinating and organising Yr. 10 Work Experience with close to 100 students engaged in a work experience for the final week of term. 

Closing Thoughts

Reflecting on the past semester is a critical step toward continuous improvement. By understanding what worked well and what didn’t, students can make informed decisions and adopt strategies that pave the way for future success. Parents play a crucial role in supporting this process by providing encouragement, support, and guidance.

 

Together, let’s embrace the lessons learned and look forward to a productive and rewarding second semester.

 

Best wishes,

Mr Travis Mcintosh

Acting Assistant Principal (VM, VPC, VP -Yr 9/10)