Curriculum and Learning
Year 11 2027 Parents and Students Information Evening – Thursday 11 June
As per the communication earlier this week, our current Year 10 families and students are warmly invited to attend the Year 11 2027 Parents and Student Information Evening on Thursday 11 June, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM in the College Gymnasium.
This important event will provide an overview of NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Stage 6 requirements and support students as they prepare for senior studies. Information will be shared about Year 11 and 12 curriculum requirements, subject selection procedures, and the range of pathways available to students.
On the evening, students and families will also receive academic attainment test results and the College recommendations for Stage 6 studies in relation to English, Mathematics, Science, Economics and Engineering Studies.
The evening will follow the Subject Information Morning for students and complements the information provided in the 2027 Subject Prospectus that will be available by the evening and outlines all courses available for Years 11 and 12 over the next two years.
As students begin making important decisions about their senior studies and future aspirations, attendance at this evening by both students and at least one parent or carer is expected. This shared participation plays an important role in ensuring students feel supported and well informed as they make these significant choices.
Reminder: Years 7 to 10 Parent/Teacher Interviews - Semester 1 Report
As per Vol 39, No 15 of Especean, on Tuesday 23 June, Years 5 -10 Semester 1 Reports will be available online to parents/carers via the TASS Parent Lounge.
The Years 7 to 10 Parent/Teacher interviews will be scheduled for the afternoon and evening of Thursday 25 June from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM and on Friday 26 June from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The Thursday evening interviews will be conducted in the College Gymnasium and the Friday interviews will be conducted on-line via Microsoft Teams. Students are expected to be in full school uniform for these interviews.
Booking Years 7 – 10 Parent Teacher Interviews
Parents/carers may book interview time slots themselves via the TASS Parent/Lounge using the interview tab from Thursday 11 June at 9:00 AM until Wednesday 24 June at 9:00 AM. The College will not be allocating interview times.
James Martin
Director of Curriculum
Real Learning Happens in the Pit
As parents and educators, our instinct is often to make learning easier for our children and students. Yet one of the most important truths about education is that challenge is not the opposite of learning - challenge is often where the deepest learning occurs.
One model that captures this beautifully is the Learning Pit, developed by educational researcher James Nottingham. The model suggests that meaningful learning often begins with confidence, moves into uncertainty and confusion, and then - through perseverance, reflection and support - emerges into deeper understanding.
The Learning Challenge by James Nottingham (image by MindMovers Psychology)
The Learning Pit reminds us that the moment of “I don’t get this” is not a failure, it is frequently a sign that the brain is working hard to build new connections and deepen understanding. Research continues to show that productive struggle strengthens learning, improves retention, and develops the capacity to transfer knowledge into new contexts.
I spoke recently with our Year 12 students about this challenge in today’s world.
Never before has it been easier to avoid the discomfort of learning. AI tools can now provide answers instantly, but when students consistently bypass the thinking, questioning and persistence required to reach understanding for themselves, they miss the growth that comes through the process - and with it, the opportunity to develop deep understanding and embed that knowledge in their long-term memory.
The reality is that meaningful growth rarely occurs in moments of ease and never occurs when you outsource it to an AI. It happens in the challenge, uncertainty and effort required to move from “I can’t do this yet” to “I understand.” This is the essence of the Learning Pit.
Whether in the classroom, on the sporting field or through co-curricular opportunities, the pit is exactly where growth happens.
Our encouragement to families is simple: allow your sons to persevere when learning is hard and encourage them to keep going through that discomfort.
If they feel challenged, remind them that struggle is a normal and necessary part of learning. If they feel stuck and cannot see a path forward, encourage them to seek support from their teacher, attend Homework Club or ask questions.
Perseverance and knowing when to ask for help are not signs of weakness - they are among the most important skills our young people can develop.
Real learning does not happen by avoiding the pit. It happens by falling, walking, and climbing out of it.
Gillian Carpenter
Director of Learning and Innovation