SECONDARY NEWS
From the Assistant Principal

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

Classes in the Secondary for Years 7–9 are back to normal, following the completion of assessments last week. They are only part of each student’s assessment profile, and when receiving feedback from their teachers, all students are encouraged to reflect on their efforts this year and how they may improve in the future.

An excellent approach for students is to undertake a simple SWOT analysis:

Strengths:

What are your strengths as a student?
What achievements from this year can you celebrate?
What do you do really well at school?
What skills have you developed?
What learning have you really enjoyed?

Weaknesses:

What are your weaknesses as a student?
What areas could you improve in?
What skills need more work?

Opportunities:

What opportunities exist for you to improve your approach to school?
What could you do differently next year?
What could you do to have better quality learning experiences next year?

Threats:

What is standing in the way of you achieving your personal best?
What obstacles do you need to overcome?
What actions could you take to deal with any threats to achieving your personal best?

Staff are currently finalising the assessment process for their classes and preparing reports, which will be distributed at the end of the term.

All classes will continue to operate as normal for the remainder of the term, as there is still coursework to be completed across all KLAs.

Year 10

Year 10 students will attend their Christian Living Camp next week at Copeton Dam.

Year 10 Family Dinner

Students and parents have received invitations to the Family Dinner to be held on Friday, 28 November, at the Inverell RSM Club. Students have been allocated their numbers, and tickets can be purchased from the school office. We ask that tickets be purchased by Wednesday, 26 November. If there are any changes or queries to the numbers already allocated, please contact Miss Bailey as soon as possible.

Secondary Term 4 Social

A social will be held for students in Years 7-10 this Thursday from 6.30-8.30 pm. The theme for the night is 'Dress as your idol' from film, entertainment, and sport.

Please ensure that students are dropped off and picked up in the school car park at the top, near the Science Labs.

Social Media Minimum Age Act

From 10 December 2025, social media platforms will be legally required to block or remove accounts held by Australians under the age of 16.

We will have discussions about this at school, but it is essential that parents also have a conversation with their children about what this actually means for them.

Resources for Parents

eSafety Commissioner

https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions/webinars

Social-media-age-restrictions-general-flyer-A4.pdf

LAW_The Australian 16+ Age Delay.pdf

Year 10 Visit to O'Connor Catholic College

In preparation for their transition to senior schooling, our Year 10 students visited O'Connor Catholic College in Armidale today to shadow classes and gain direct insight into the daily life of a Stage 6 student. A key aim of the visit is to foster connections, enabling students to hopefully identify a mentor who can help them successfully navigate their senior studies.

Stage 5 Food Technology- A Taste of Two Worlds.

Our Year 7-10 Food Technology students recently wrapped up a dynamic practical assessment that challenged them to explore the rich diversity of Food in Australia by creating their own fusion dishes. This task required students to combine cooking techniques, ingredients, and flavour profiles from two or more distinct culinary traditions, reflecting Australia's vibrant multicultural landscape.

Congratulations to all students for their excellent effort and for delivering plates that were truly a celebration of global flavour and Australian ingenuity!

Mrs Butler and Mrs McCormick

Good luck...

Cricket

Good luck to the cricket team, who will travel to Armidale on Thursday to play O'Connor.

Uniform

Students are reminded to wear the correct uniform, including appropriate and safe footwear. It is an expectation that hair is moderately styled with natural tones and tied back if long. If a student is not able to wear the correct uniform, please provide written information to the roll teacher indicating when the situation can be remedied. Hats and sunscreen are also required for all outdoor activities.

Sun Safe

The weather has been heating up rapidly, and students are reminded that they should have a hat for all outside activities. Sunscreen is also available for Sport, PDHPE and other outside lessons; however, the best protection is provided with the combined use of a hat and sunscreen. School caps are available from the Uniform Shop. Please ensure that your child has the correct school uniform cap or hat.

Stage 6 Links

16.05.2025 SENIOR STUDIES HANDBOOK 2026.pdf

STUDY SKILLS TIP

Micro-Learning for Busy Students

Mastering Study in Small, Manageable Chunks

For students juggling school, extracurricular activities, and social commitments, finding time for long study sessions can feel impossible. That’s where micro-learning comes in. This strategy focuses on short, focused bursts of study—perfect for fitting learning into your busy schedule. With micro-learning, you can achieve more in less time by focusing on quality over quantity.

1. Focus on One Concept at a Time

Instead of cramming multiple topics in one sitting, dedicate each short session to mastering a single concept or skill. For example:

Learn one grammar rule for a language class.
Review one math formula and practice a few problems.
Study a single historical event and its key impacts.

This targeted approach prevents overwhelm and helps you retain information more effectively.

Tip: Write down the specific topic for each session ahead of time so you can jump straight into focused learning.

2. Use Technology to Your Advantage

Micro-learning works best when paired with tools that help you engage with material efficiently. Apps like Duolingo, Quizlet, or Memrise are great for quick learning sessions. They offer bite-sized lessons and interactive quizzes designed for short bursts of study. Additional Tools:

Khan Academy: Watch short videos on a variety of subjects.
Anki: Use flashcards to memorize terms, concepts, or formulas.

Tip: Set daily reminders to spend 10-15 minutes on these apps—consistency is key.

3. Break Down Big Tasks

Large assignments or exams can feel daunting, but breaking them into smaller tasks makes them manageable. For example:

Instead of ‘Study for biology test’, plan sessions like ‘Learn parts of the cell’ or ‘Revise photosynthesis process’.
For an essay, start with ‘Brainstorm ideas’ in one session and ‘Write introduction’ in the next.

Tip: Each session should be no longer than 15-20 minutes, allowing you to focus fully without getting distracted or fatigued.

4. Take Advantage of Transition Times

Micro-learning fits perfectly into small gaps in your day. Use these moments productively:

Review flashcards during your commute.
Watch a short tutorial during lunch.
Write a quick outline for an essay while waiting for practice to start.

Tip: Keep your materials accessible, whether on your phone, tablet, or a small notebook, so you’re always ready to learn on the go.

5. Combine Micro-Learning with Other Strategies

Micro-learning doesn’t have to replace your regular study sessions—it complements them. Use it to reinforce what you’ve already learned or prepare for longer, more in-depth sessions. Example Combination:

Spend 10 minutes reviewing vocabulary with flashcards in the morning.
Dedicate 20-30 minutes after school for detailed problem-solving or essay writing.

Tip: Use micro-learning sessions to identify weak areas, then dedicate longer study blocks to addressing them in depth. This way, your short bursts of learning lay the groundwork for more focused, comprehensive study later.

Small Steps, Big Results

Micro-learning is a game-changer for busy students. By focusing on one concept at a time, leveraging technology, and using transition times effectively, you can make steady progress even on your busiest days. Remember, it’s not about how much time you spend—it’s about how well you use it. Start incorporating micro-learning into your routine today and see how small efforts add up to big achievements.

GOOGLE CLASSROOM GUARDIAN SUMMARIES

Google Classroom allows teachers to create classes, distribute paperless assignments, post announcements and class questions, and provide feedback, all through an intuitive, student-friendly interface.

The flyer and link below provide you with more information about Guardian Summaries. Please contact Miss Bailey if you have any further questions or issues.

ASSESSMENT POLICIES

It would be appreciated if parents could read the information in the booklet and discuss the issues raised with their children. The assessment process is similar to that which the students will encounter in Stage 6 as they prepare for their Higher School Certificate.

Stage 4 Assessment Policy 2025.pdf

Stage 5 Assessment Policy 2025.pdf

Living Well, Learning Well

Ready2Learn

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, then their phone is confiscated and placed securely in Miss Bailey's office, where it is collected by the student at the end of the school day.

Teachers record each time a device has been confiscated. After the device has been seized for a second time, it remains at school until it can be collected by a parent/carer.