Learning & Teaching News

Inspiring innovation: Engaging students in STEM

Our students have been embracing exciting opportunities to extend their learning beyond the classroom through their involvement in the SPARK Program at Casey Tech School.

The SPARK Program (STEAM Projects Advancing Real-world Knowledge) supports students with a strong interest in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, maths) providing opportunities to participate in specialised workshops and collaborate on projects connected to contemporary challenges and innovations. SPARK places an important emphasis on leadership, advocacy, communication and student voice, where students are active participants in their learning, and work collaboratively with peers and experts.

This year, Braedyn Allan, Olivia Luckeraft, and Sophie Tharuki Warnakulsuriya from Clyde North were accepted into the SPARK program, engaging in investigation, inquiry-based learning and collaborative problem-solving into industry problems.

The program culminated in a final expo, where students collaborated with ambassadors from other schools to develop and present an innovative solution to the challenge of sustaining human life on Mars. We are incredibly proud of our students for their ambassadorship this year. We also hope that students from our middle year cohorts will consider representing St Peter’s College in the SPARK program in 2027.

Year 10 and 11 exams

With our Year 12 students now fully immersed in their final examinations, it’s time to turn the attention to our Year 10 and 11 students as they approach their end of year exams. It is important to reflect on the value of preparation, positive study habits and the support that surrounds every student.

Exams are a significant part of the learning journey, providing students with the opportunities to:

· Consolidate learning and retrieval: Revisit topics and practice key concepts that help to strengthen understanding and retain important information in the long term.

· Build confidence and resilience: Develop perseverance, self-discipline and confidence in their abilities.

· Identify strengths and areas for improvement: Exam results provide valuable feedback so that teachers and students can identify where additional support or further development may be needed.

· Prepare for future pathways: For Year 11 students in particular, exams support students to build the academic habits and assessment skills needed for Year 12 and beyond.

It is important to remember that exams are just one measure of achievement. A student's growth, effort and participation throughout the year are just as valuable, and while some stress can be productive, too much can impact concentration, confidence and general wellbeing. At this stage, exams give students an idea of what they might expect in the coming years and a chance to adjust their future habits.

Students benefit from knowing that the people around them believe in their abilities and are there to support them, regardless of the outcome. Parents and carers can be involved in the process by:

· Helping your child to develop a regular study routines.

· Showing interest in what you child is studying.

· Maintaining open conversations about stress, worry and expectation.

· Where possible, helping to set up a calm, quiet space that can be used to study.

We encourage all Year 10 and 11 students to approach their examinations with preparation, determination and a positive mindset. We also encourage families to continue providing reassurance, encouragement and practical support throughout this important period.

Roediger, H. L. III, Putnam, A. L., & Smith, M. A. (2011). Ten benefits of testing and their applications to educational practice. In J. P. Mestre & B. H. Ross (Eds.), The psychology of learning and motivation: Cognition in education (pp. 1–36). Elsevier Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-387691-1.00001-6

PAT testing

Over the past two weeks, Year 7-10 students have completed PAT Reading and Mathematics tests. Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT) are designed to measure students' skills and understanding in key areas such as finding information in texts, comprehension, solving problems and using mathematical strategies.

Unlike a traditional classroom test where all students get the same questions, PAT adaptive changes question difficulty in real time based on how the student answers, meaning that they are personalised and targeting areas of challenge for each child. Similarly, the purpose is slightly different to a regular test. PAT measures learning progress over time, rather than simply testing what students have memorised.

Our ultimate goal is to improve students' learning and work towards significant growth by giving teachers reliable information about what students know, what they can do and what they need to learn next. For students, the results are one piece of the bigger learning picture. Teachers also consider classwork, assignments, and progress throughout the year. The most important thing is that students always put in their best effort so we can accurately recognise how far they have come, and identify ways forward to help them achieve their goals.

Jade Smith

Deputy Principal - Learning and Teaching