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 as 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.

In my report for this fortnight I have included some information on the different activities and events that will take place over the next few weeks.

2024 Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews

We believe education is a partnership between teachers, parents and students, and we encourage communication between all parties. Parent/Teacher/Student interviews are an integral part of the ongoing school-home relationship, and we value the very important conversations we have about your child’s learning.

Year 7 TA Interviews

Our interviews for 2024 commence with the Year 7 TA interviews on Monday 4th March. Each term students in Years 7 to 12 meet with their Homeroom teacher and talk about the progress they are making in their studies, their learning habits, the goals they have set for themselves and any support they require. We call this our TA (Teacher Advisor) interview process.

Parents and guardians of Year 7 students are invited to attend with your child their first TA interview. Interviews are for 20 minutes with your child’s Homeroom teacher and will be held from 3:45pm to 5:45pm. Bookings can be made through the Parent Access Module (PAM) and interviews will be held in your child’s Homeroom. We believe attending your child’s first TA interview is an opportunity to develop a positive relationship between the family and their Homeroom teacher and to assist you in developing a better understanding of the benefits of the TA program. The interview will involve feedback from both the Homeroom teacher as well as from the child on how they have settled into St Mary MacKillop College. Students will discuss their interests and learning needs as well as set goals, discuss learning habits and address any questions they may have. If you are unable to attend, your child will still have their TA interview with their Homeroom teacher during regular school hours. For further information, please refer to the information included in this newsletter.

VCE/VCE VM/VPC/VET Interviews

Parents and students are invited to attend the VCE/VCE VM/VPC/VET Parent/Teacher/Student Interview evening on Wednesday 20 March from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. These interviews include any Year 10 student studying a Year 11 VCE Unit 1 Subject. Please refer to the information included in this newsletter.

2024 NAPLAN

Students in Years 7 and 9 will complete NAPLAN tests from Wednesday 13th March to Monday 18th March, with makeup tests on Tuesday 19th March if they have been absent.

Below is the schedule, mandated dates and proposed times. We ask that parents and carers avoid making appointments for their child during the NAPLAN testing times.

Wed 13th March	Thurs 14th March	Thurs 14th March	Mon 18th March	Tues 19th March
Writing: 42 mins	Reading: 65 mins	Conventions of language: 45 mins	Numeracy: 65 mins	Catch-up tests
Lessons 3 and 4	Lessons 1 and 2	Lessons 3 and 4	Lessons 1 and 2	Lessons 3 and 4

The NAPLAN tests will be conducted online. Students must bring their MacBook fully charged to all tests. They must also bring a pen or pencil and headphones for the writing, conventions of language and numeracy tests. Please remind your child of these requirements. Parents and guardians will receive a NAPLAN report by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) later in the year showing their child’s achievements against the national standards.

Students may be withdrawn from the testing program by their parent/carer. Withdrawals are intended to address issues such as religious beliefs and philosophical objections to testing. A withdrawal form must be completed before any test the student is being withdrawn from.

If you would like to help your child prepare for NAPLAN, please read the attached information and go to https://nap.edu.au/naplan/public-demonstration-site for practice questions.

A catch-up session will run in lessons 3 and 4 on Tuesday 19th March to ensure all students have the opportunity to participate.

Please click here to be taken to the VCAA website for further information regarding the upcoming NAPLAN tests.

We wish our students all the best as they complete this year’s NAPLAN tests. Please contact me should you have any questions.

International Women’s Day – Friday 8th March

Friday 8th March is International Women’s Day. It is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. This year’s theme is ‘Inspire Inclusion’. This theme aligns with our College theme for 2024, ‘Intentional Inclusivity’. The following is from the International Women’s Day website:

Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #InspireInclusion.

Read more about International Women’s Day here.

I pray for all the women in our College community. May we all help to create a gender equal world.

It seems like yesterday I was enjoying Christmas and now the season of Lent is upon us, and I see Easter eggs and hot cross buns in the supermarkets. The Lenten season offers us a wonderful opportunity for spiritual renewal. I hope during this season through prayer, fasting and almsgiving you are brought closer to God.

Meet Your Academic Captains

Wentworth Mitton

What are the key responsibilities of your portfolio?

As Academic Committee Captain, my key responsibilities include organising academic events, coordinating with students to enhance learning experiences, advocating for student academic needs and interests, and leading initiatives to promote a culture of academic excellence within our school community.

What is your vision as leader of the Academic Committee in 2024?

My vision for the Academic Committee in 2024 is to create an inclusive and supportive environment that fosters curiosity, encourages collaboration, and provides every student equal opportunity to achieve academic excellence in 2024.

Name one person whom you would like to share a meal with and why?

I would love to share a meal with Kanye West. I feel that sharing a meal with Kanye would give me insight into controversy and interesting ideologies surrounding him.

What are your interests outside of school?

Out of school I enjoy working on my cars, footy, photography and cinematography.

Zoe White

What are the key responsibilities of your portfolio?

Some of the key responsibilities of my portfolio as one of the Academic Committee Captains is to ensure that students in our school community are aspiring to be the best of their ability and I would love to help students discover ways to study and learn that help them work to the best of their abilities.

What is your vision as leader of the Academic Committee in 2024?

My vision as an Academic Committee member this year is to support students in our school as best as I can to help them learn in a way that suits them and achieve their goals.

Name one person whom you would like to share a meal with and why?

One person I would like to share a meal with would be Ruth Bader Ginsberg. She was an influential figure who was pivotal to the progress of women's rights in America. I would love to have many conversations about her inspirational life and how she managed to stay so strong despite the law and the patriarchal society during her lifetime fighting against her.

What are your interests outside of school?

Outside of school, I love to spend time with my friends and family doing the things that I enjoy. I love doing water sports on Lake Boga and swimming with my sisters in my spare time. I read lots of books and listen to music almost all of the time.

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