The Anchor

Secondary School

I met with some Year Twelve students on Tuesday, before school started, to finalise their permission to drive to school. I was struck by their energy and enthusiasm for the new year and when I probed further, Pippa Wilson told me that, “There is so much to look forward to: the Ball, driving to school, being leaders of the school.  When I’m away over the summer, I miss the community of our school and the connections I have with my friends, my teachers and everyone else at school.”

 

2024 is going to be a fantastic year in the Secondary School and I look forward to us enjoying the opportunities coming our way together. 

 

Term One is packed full of opportunities beyond the classroom including camps for students in Years Seven, Eight, Nine and Ten as well as for students participating in Outdoor Education and the Da Vinci Decathlon. We have our exciting Paris tour to look forward to and more locally, swimming carnivals, SCUBA diving courses, cricket carnivals and music camps and performances.   

 

Inside the classroom, we are going to have a focus on learning how to learn.  We are making use of a resource called the Learner’s Toolkit and staff have spent time familiarising themselves with the concepts and planning how to use them in each of their classes. 

 

The toolkit consists of six simple strategies to help with learning: 

  • Read It
  • Retrieve It
  • Soace It
  • Jumble It
  • Visualise It
  • Connect It

More information is available at For Parents – A Learner’s Toolkit (alearnerstoolkit.com.au)

We will be showcasing these strategies in Daily Notices, Assemblies and the Anchor.  I am keen to hear stories from students and staff about the way the strategies are helping with learning; these stories may well help other students.  

 

Implementing The Learner’s Toolkit is just one of the ways the Secondary School will be supporting our themes of Culture, Engagement and Excellence. 

 

The other main focus in the Secondary School will be the details that make a difference to our culture, demonstrate engagement and set us up for excellence.  Examples include uniform, punctuality, organisation and keeping our school environment clean and tidy.  These details matter. 

 

I look forward to working with you all and making 2024 a fabulous year. 

 

Mrs Victoria Turnor | Head of Secondary

Year Seven Orientation - Fish Traps