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

Safer Drivers Course

A Safer Drivers Course is being run in Inverell on Saturday 15 November. Students can book in online www.behindthewheel.net.au

or over the phone on 0427 951 600 .

Congratulations...

Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza

Congratulations to our HTS Show Team as they rounded out the year with another incredibly successful outing at the Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza in Scone!

This success would not be possible without the tremendous dedication and commitment of many people. A huge thank you is extended to Mrs and Mr Townsend, Mr Squire, and all the parents who tirelessly supported the team.

We also want to recognise the essential contributions of the students who don't always attend the shows but are critical in helping to prepare the cattle at school. Your hard work behind the scenes is deeply valued!

ACS Primary Gala Day

Thanks to Laura Cameron, Darcy Oakes and Jed Langan, who volunteered to referee touch at the Gala Day last Friday.

Horse Sports

Congratulations to the team who attended the Tenterfield Horse Sports last Friday. The team acquitted itself very well. Thanks to Mrs Townsend and our parent helpers, Mrs Hancock and Mrs Sinclair.

Chess Team

Congratulations to our chess players who were victorious in the last round of their competition.

Year 7 History

Year 7 are in de-Nile about their love for Ancient Egypt

In History class, we have had a Pharaoh-nomenal experience learning about Ancient Egypt. Year 7 have been engaging in topics such as the Geography of Ancient Egypt, why the Nile river was their ‘life force’, the social structures of the Egyptian people, the Pharaohs, their belief in the afterlife, Gods and Goddesses and death and funerary customs.

We have had a Egyptionally good time learning about the process of mummification. We even got to mummify an apple! To wrap up the term we wrote a Mummies for Dummies report and even got to wrap up our peers. It was sphinx-tacular!

Year 6 to 7 Transition

Transition concluded last Thursday. Students experienced a variety of subjects on offer in Secondary over the last two weeks, including iSTEM, Technology, Ag, History, Visual Arts, Music and Food Technology. They already had lessons in English, Maths, Geography, PDHPE and Science last term. The students settled into the secondary school environment well and took part in various activities.

Secondary Exams - Week 5

Students will be sitting assessments in many of their subjects next week. Classes have been given study guides and outlines of the material being assessed.

If a student is absent on a scheduled exam day, they will complete the missed exams at the first available opportunity. If known in advance, exams may be completed before the absence.

It is also important to note that exams are only one method of assessment. The semester report grade will include a variety of formative and summative assessment tasks completed throughout the semester.

To optimise performance, students need to be well-rested. They also need to ensure that they have the necessary equipment, such as spare pens, a calculator, and geometrical instruments for Mathematics and Science.

Please advise staff of any issues regarding the completion of exams. It is the responsibility of students to make sure their devices are fully charged each day.

Exam timetables have been distributed to students and are also visible on Compass for all year groups and parents. They are also attached below.

How Parents Can Support Their Students During Stressful Assessment Times

As assessment periods approach, students often face increased pressure, which can lead to significant stress. While some handle it with ease, others may find it overwhelming. One of the best ways to manage this pressure is through preparation. The earlier students start, the less likely they are to feel anxious as deadlines loom. As a parent, your role is crucial in helping them manage stress and maintain a balanced approach to studying. Here are some practical tips to support your student during this busy time:

1. Encourage a Healthy Lifestyle

A well-rounded lifestyle is key to achieving good results. Remind your student that a healthy body supports a healthy mind. Ensure they:

Eat balanced meals: Provide nutritious snacks and meals to fuel their brainpower.
Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help them stay alert and focused.
Get enough sleep: Sleep is vital to memory consolidation and overall performance. Encourage them to avoid sacrificing rest for late-night study sessions.
Exercise regularly: Even a short walk or some stretching can relieve stress and help students focus better.
Schedule relaxation: Encourage downtime to avoid burnout. Short breaks can recharge their mind and improve retention of information.

2. Offer Practical Support

Openly ask your student how you can help. Offer to:

Assist with organising their study schedule, setting reminders, or preparing an exam timetable.
Help source materials such as books, stationery, or online resources.
Quiz them on topics they need to memorise. Some students find it easier to retain information by talking through their notes or practicing with a parent.
Prepare nutritious lunches and snacks, allowing them to focus on studying without distractions.
Encourage limited use of social media or gaming during study blocks to reduce distractions.

3. Focus on Effort, Not Just Results

It’s important to reassure your student that effort matters just as much (sometimes if not more) than results. Encourage them to:

Take pride in the hard work they’re putting in, regardless of the final grade.
Build resilience by learning from mistakes and overcoming challenges.
Celebrate small successes along the way, fostering motivation and confidence. Avoid criticism and negativity.
Remind them that academic performance is only one part of their life’s journey. There are many ways to achieve future success, and exams are just one stepping stone and one pathway.

4. Keep Communication Open

Be a consistent source of support by maintaining open lines of communication. Try:

Having regular check-ins to discuss their progress, challenges, or concerns.
Creating a relaxed environment for these conversations—sometimes casual chats during car rides or while having dinner are more effective than formal sit-downs.
Being patient if they express frustration or anger. Acknowledge their feelings and offer a listening ear. If you notice that stress is affecting their well-being, encourage them to seek help from a school counsellor, teacher, or other professional resources.

5. Help Manage Worries and Stress

If your student feels overwhelmed, guide them through problem-solving:

Allow them to express their concerns fully before suggesting solutions.
Encourage them to identify specific worries and work through ways to manage them—whether it's time management, understanding a subject, or handling test anxiety.
Explore available resources, such as speaking with teachers, seeking academic support, or accessing online tutorials.
Ask them how you can help—sometimes your presence and understanding are the most valuable support you can provide.

Final Thoughts

Exams and assessments can be stressful for students, but with the right support, they can navigate these challenges successfully. By fostering a balanced approach that includes both academic preparation and emotional well-being, you can help your student develop resilience and the skills needed to thrive under pressure. Remember, your encouragement, support, and understanding will make a lasting impact.

MAKE GREAT STUDY NOTES

With exam time approaching, it is time to seriously think about making study notes – especially if you haven’t been doing them regularly throughout the year. Find out what topics will be tested, make a quick mind map of each topic so you can see an overview of what you need to learn, and then start making point-form notes about what you need to learn and remember for the exam. You want to make your study notes as soon as possible so you have ample time to learn them and to do lots of practice questions.

Top 5 Tips to Improve Your Notes:

POINTS: Avoid long sentences and condense content into key points.
TABLES: Use tables wherever you can to create structure and make the content easier to learn.
KEYWORDS: Pull out keywords and capitalise them (as shown in this list).
HIGHLIGHT: Make sure the main content stands out (but don’t go crazy with colour).
FEEDBACK: Show your notes to teachers, parents and friends so they can suggest ways to improve them.

Last Minute Study

What do you do if you have left your study until the last minute?

In an ideal world, it would be great if all students paid attention, focused and participated in all classes, completed all homework and assessments thoroughly, asked for help throughout the year on anything they didn’t understand, made regular summaries of the work covered in class (preferably at the end of each topic or section) and did their best to learn as they go throughout the year.

But in reality, this doesn’t always happen for every student and every subject.

So what can you do if you have left your study for tests and exams to the last minute?

5 TIPS FOR LAST-MINUTE STUDY

FIND OUT FAST: Be very clear about what you need to learn and what will be tested. It is impossible to start your study until you are sure what you have to know. Find out as much as you can too about the exam format and the style of questions. Don’t be afraid to ask your teacher. For each subject, write a list of exactly what topics and areas you need to review.
GATHER MATERIALS: Do you have notes, materials, and textbooks on everything you need to learn? If not, is there a friend who will let you photocopy the work you have misplaced? Is there an online portal where material from classes is stored? Can you borrow additional books or textbooks from the library on the topics you need to learn? Are past examination papers available?
MAKE A PLAN: You only have limited time left, so you need to make the most of it. Draw up a grid that shows how much time you have left before your exams to study. Decide if you will spend equal time on each subject or if certain subjects need more time. Allocate subjects to the timeslots you have, then decide exactly what you will do to prepare for each subject. For each subject, make a list of what sort of study you should do to prepare for that subject. Brainstorm your ideas on how to prepare, ask your parents and teachers for feedback and share ideas with your friends.
CREATE STUDY NOTES: Target your notes to what will be tested. It is best for learning and memory to make your study notes yourself, but if you have run out of time, there are options. See if any of your class materials or textbooks have summarised the sections you need. See if there are study guides available in the library on the topics to learn or make targeted notes on the key areas you must memorise. You could also see if there is a friend with whom you could split the topics between yourself and share the notes you make. Don’t spend too long on this stage; it needs to be completed as quickly as possible.
STUDY! What does study actually mean? It means memorising the material you need to know so you can recall it in the exams and practising the skills of the subject so you know how to do the types of questions you will have in the exam. To memorise your notes, you need to test yourself over and over on them. You could read a section, see what you can write down without looking then check. Then review the things you didn’t know again. Or you could do the same approach by reading things out loud and then seeing what you can repeat out loud. Doing questions, practise essays, and past exam questions will also help you understand what you know and what you need to spend more time on.

The key is to get started. No more procrastination, no more excuses.

Start today!

What do you do in the few days before an examination?

At least a few days before the exam, make sure you do the following:

Plan out how much time you should spend on each section of the test.
By looking at past papers, get a feel for the types of instructions that will be on your paper.
Do some exercise so you can burn off the pent-up stress that can come before exams.
Look after your body – lots of water to juice up your brain, healthy food, and decent sleep.
To calm your nerves, make mental pictures of yourself sitting down and doing well in the test.
Purchase any equipment you may need, extra calculator batteries, pens, rulers etc.
Ensure you know what equipment is allowed in the test or exam.
Focus on reviewing the key points, perhaps a condensed version of your summaries.
Practise as many past test papers as you can get your hands on.
Check the timetable to ensure you have a clear picture of when each exam is being held.

The night before the test or exam:

Pack your bag with everything you will need for the next day, ensuring you have all the necessary equipment.
Plan what time you need to leave to ensure you have plenty of time for unexpected delays.
Don’t go to bed too late – you need to make sure your brain is fresh and alert.
Don’t ring friends and discuss your preparation or the examination.
Just before you go to sleep, look through your notes briefly.
If you have a number of exams, check the timetable to doubly confirm the exam's date, time and location.

The morning of the test or exam:

Visualise success. Before you get out of bed, close your eyes and picture yourself going into the exam, doing well and coming out pleased with your efforts.
Review your notes. You are not doing intense study at this stage; just looking through and reminding yourself of the main things you want to remember.
Eat breakfast. Your brain needs fuel, so eat a hearty breakfast so you can focus and concentrate in the exam.
Be on time. Make sure you leave enough time for contingencies so you won’t be late.
Avoid negativity. Don’t stand around in the group discussing what you did and didn’t study.

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

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.

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.