Curriculum and Learning
Year 11 Final Preliminary Course Reports
From tomorrow, Thursday 22 October 2026, the Final Preliminary Reports for Year 11 students will be available to students and parents/carers via the Student Café and TASS Parent Lounge/Orbit App.
Students are encouraged to use these reports as a valuable tool to reflect on their academic progress and identify opportunities for growth as they commence their HSC year. This is an important time to set realistic, achievable goals and to make steady, purposeful improvements over time.
Parents/carers are encouraged to support their sons in using this feedback constructively, using their assessments as part of the feedback and improvement cycle that was emphasised at our recent Parent HSC Information Evening.
Years 6 and 8 Academic Attainment Testing
In accordance with the College Calendar and Diary, Academic Attainment Testing (AAT) will take place next week:
Year 8: Monday 26 October 2026
Year 6: Tuesday 27 October 2026
Students are reminded to assemble under the direction of their Year Coordinator by 8:35 AM on their respective testing day. Testing will commence shortly thereafter and will be supervised by external invigilators from Academic Assessment Services (AAS).
The AAT provides valuable, independent assessment data that assists the College in forming next year’s classes and in monitoring student progress across key academic areas, including general ability, reading, writing, and mathematics, from Year 5 through to Year 12.
The tests are prepared and administered by AAS, a nationally recognised organisation specialising in the assessment and analysis of educational performance and progress.
James Martin
Director of Curriculum
Learning Enrichment
It has been another busy and rewarding time for our Learning Enrichment students, with opportunities to engage in critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and leadership. We are proud of the enthusiasm and dedication our students have shown across a range of enrichment and mentoring opportunities. We also extend our sincere thanks to our parents and carers for their ongoing support of these opportunities, and for encouraging and enabling the boys to participate so enthusiastically in the programs and events offered throughout the term.
Minds on Fire
On 1 September a group of ten Year 6 students attended the inaugural Minds on Fire at Newington College. Hosted by the Centre for Critical Thinking and Ethics at Newington, the event brought together like-minded Stage 3 students from schools across Sydney for a day of collaborative inquiry. The students put to work their best critical thinking and inquiry skills to delve into the concepts of Identity and the Good Life. Through a Community of Inquiry discussion, students considered what makes a Good Idea vs a Bad Idea; they explored the concept of ‘Good’ and whether it is subjective or objective; and they studied Kohlberg’s Dilemma which drew on their reasoning and evaluation skills to try to decide the most ethical path to solve a problem. The boys had a wonderful day, and we are already looking forward to next year’s event!
Write a Book in a Day
On 23 September, students from Years 7, 8 and 10 participated in the annual Write a Book in a Day challenge. Working in teams, the boys demonstrated impressive creativity, collaboration and resilience as they planned, wrote, illustrated and produced a book in just eight hours. The completed books are now available to read in both the DLC and the Library. This competition stretches creativity by challenging teams to write and illustrate a book within a limited timeframe while developing teamwork, problem-solving and perseverance skills. Teams are also encouraged to fundraise as part of the challenge, with entry fees and all money donated supporting The Kids’ Cancer Project and vital childhood cancer research. Every book submitted will also be made available free of charge to children in hospitals across Australia. Thank you to the generosity of the boys and their families who contributed to this worthwhile cause.
Sophos Peer Mentoring Program
Last month, we hosted a morning tea to say thank you and to farewell our six Year 12 students who have been involved in the Sophos Peer Mentoring Program, some for the past three and a half years. The mentees each presented a Thank You card to their Mentor, expressing their gratitude for the many ways their mentor has helped, guided and advised them during their time together. We echo the mentees’ gratitude and congratulate these Year 12 gentlemen for their efforts and dedication in leadership.
As we look ahead to the remainder of the year, we are excited to continue providing opportunities that encourage students to explore their interests, extend their thinking and connect with others through shared learning experiences. We thank our parents and carers for their ongoing support and look forward to seeing our students continue to grow, contribute and thrive through the many enrichment opportunities still to come.
Maria Dolce Heidi Viney
Acting Learning Enrichment Co-ordinator Learning Enrichment Teacher