DEPUTY PRINCIPAL - TEACHING & LEARNING

Vision for Teaching and Learning at St Mary MacKillop College - a statement that drives the development of a high performance learning culture at SMMC

At St Mary MacKillop College we have high expectations of our students so we equip them with the knowledge, skills and dispositions for lifelong learning. We pursue excellence through a teaching and learning environment that is inclusive, engaging and encourages growth. We value collaboration, innovation and building strong relationships. As we head towards the end of the term, our students are busy completing final assessments, and our Year 8 to 11 students will soon complete exams.

This term has been filled with opportunities, achievements, challenges, and growth. I thank our students for the commitment, perseverance, and effort they have demonstrated throughout the past ten weeks. Our students’ willingness to engage in their learning and strive for improvement is something of which they should be proud.

The end of this term also provides an important opportunity to pause and reflect. Some questions you may like to ask your child are:

• What has been the highlight of your learning this term?
• Did you encounter any challenges, and if so, how did you overcome them?
• Did you achieve the goals you set for yourself?
• As we look ahead to Term 4, what goals will you set to continue growing and improving as a learner?

International Literacy Day

Tuesday 8 September was International Literacy Day. Recently I came across a beautiful prayer for literacy which I have adapted for our school context below. Please click here for further information on the day.

Loving God, on this International Literacy Day, bless all who learn, teach and share knowledge at our school. May literacy empower people, nurture our planet, and create prosperity, strengthening communities and bringing greater health, opportunity and hope to all. (Source unknown)

ACER Advance Awards for Schools Competition

Congratulations to the 16 students across Year 7, 8 and 9 who completed the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) Advance Awards for Schools Competition on Monday 14 September. The students completed two 45-minute assessments for literacy and numeracy. The assessments are designed to measure students’ problem solving and reasoning abilities and encourage them to use their higher order thinking skills to apply known concepts to new situations.

VCE Trial Exams and Exam Preparation

The first week of the upcoming holiday break provides an opportunity for our students completing Unit 3/4 subjects to rest and recharge away from their computer screens, to organise the notes and summaries they have made for their Unit 3/4 subjects, as well as reread novels and texts. This targeted preparation is the foundation for the trial exams that will start in week 2 of the holidays.

In preparation for the VCE exam period in October and November, all students studying a Unit 3/4 subject will complete trial exams during the September holiday break from Monday 28 September to Wednesday 30 September. These exams provide an opportunity for students to experience the same exam conditions as they will for their actual exams. The trial exams help to identify areas of strength and areas that require focus in the lead up to the VCE exams, and provide practice in time management. I wish our students all the best as they prepare for their exams. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We ask parents to support their child to approach the trial exams with determination and commitment.

It is important to keep in mind the following as you prepare for your exams:

• Be organised and prepare early rather than later. The more organised you are will assist in achieving success in your exams.
• Prepare a study plan and routine. Make sure you give yourself enough time to study for the exam. Studying in small blocks of time on a regular basis is more effective than revising once a week for a subject.
• Organise a study space away from distractions (turn off your phone and the television)
• Take regular breaks to recharge
• Study with a group of friends if that works for you, but make sure you remain focused
• Complete practice exams if available
• Actively seek feedback from your teachers when there is something you still need to clarify
• If you catch the bus to or from school, make use of that time to review your notes or cue cards
• Using online sites such as Quizlet might be useful for creating flashcards
• Approach your studies with a growth mindset. We know there are times for all of us when we face challenges, but if we approach things with a growth mindset then we are more likely to succeed.

When it comes to revising for exams (and SACs for that matter!), variety makes learning fun. I encourage our students to be innovative in the way they study for their exams. You might consider some of the following:

• Use a mini whiteboard to test yourself
• Use the voice record function on your phone and record responses to questions or summaries you can listen to later
• Handwrite flashcards (or create them on Quizlet) and test yourself as you walk around the block – exercise and study at the same time!
• Find some chalk and brainstorm a response to a question on the driveway at home

When our VCE/VCE VM / VPC students return in Term 4, they only have a couple of weeks of their secondary schooling left, and they need to maintain focus in order to achieve their personal best in their final SACs, assessment tasks and end-of-year exams. Many thanks to our committed staff who continue to support our VCE/VCE VM / VPC students in achieving their academic goals for 2026.

I wish everyone a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable holiday break. School holidays provide an important opportunity to step away from the busyness of school life, spend time with family and friends, pursue interests and activities we may not have time for during the term, and recharge ready for the final term of the year. Whatever your plans may be, I hope our students enjoy every moment and return refreshed and ready for Term 4.

Nathan Lane

Deputy Principal Teaching & Learning