Secondary School News

Dean of Teaching and Learning, Mrs Rebecca Piccolo

It is hard to believe that we have already reached the midpoint of Term 1. It has been a vibrant journey of learning and engagement across our Secondary School, with students making the most of the wide range of opportunities that are on offer.

Some highlights include:

• Year 7 students have been learning how to work safely in the Science laboratories, completing engaging activities focused on reading scientific equipment and developing their observation techniques.

• Year 10 Outdoor Recreation and Certificate II Outdoor Recreation students have been fine-tuning their snorkelling skills at the Armadale Aquatic Centre in preparation for their excursion to Rottnest Island later in the Term.

• Members of the Year 10 Emerging Writers class attended the Young Writers Workshop at The Literature Centre in Fremantle. Students had the opportunity to learn from award-winning WA author, Brendan Ritchie. Brendan Ritchie is the author of dystopian novels including Carousel (2015), Beyond Carousel (2016) and is a winner of the 2022 Dorothy Hewett Award.

• Year 10 Geography, students are working on their major research inquiry – Case study of the Tohoku Earthquake (2011) and the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster. The task covers investigating changes to the natural environment caused by human activity and the impacts on social, economic and environmental factors.

• Year 9 Economics and Business students have just completed an assessment on Multi-national Corporations. Students had to research a MNC, give an historical background, structure, product, ethical behaviour and indicate how the global links affect Australia. They also explored the benefits/burdens to the host country.

• Year 10.3 Civics and Citizenship class has just completed an assessment of the Strengths and Weaknesses of Australia’s Democracy. Students compared the freedoms of our democratic system with the freedoms allowed under more authoritarian regimes. They also, commented on the slow decision-making processes of, and threats to our political system.

• The rehearsals for the Senior School Drama Production of ‘Cosi’ by Louis Nowra have begun. The cast is made up of Drama students from Years 10 to 12 and the production explores the themes of mental health and fidelity.

• Year 12 Human Biology General students have been working with experienced ATAR teacher, Mrs Osborne to discover how bones provide support and movement for the human body. They have investigated the different types of joints and had a closer look at bone structure using long bones and microscopes.

Developing the John Wollaston Learner – Measuring what matters.

In 2023, John Wollaston Anglican Community School embarked on an exciting journey by forming a partnership with the University of Melbourne and joining the innovative New Metrics for Success program. As we move into 2024, this program is set to expand its reach across the Secondary School, offering students in Years 8-10 the opportunity to engage in specially designed learning activities throughout the year. These activities are aimed at nurturing the essential 21st century skills our young people need to effectively navigate the complexities of our ever-evolving world.

What is New Metrics?

New Metrics is a research-practice partnership between innovative schools in Australia/NZ and The University of Melbourne. The partnership is at the forefront of global work looking to find solutions for improved ways to teach, assess and report on the complex competencies that learners need to thrive throughout and beyond their schooling life.

What are complex competencies?

Complex competencies are multiple knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values that combine to form an attribute. Examples of complex competencies include: agency in learning; acting ethically; active citizenship; communication; collaboration; and quality thinking. Such competencies are increasingly important in a modern world.

What does this mean for your child?

With practice, everyone can learn to get better at complex competencies, just like other subject-based knowledge and skills. Our school values complex competencies as important because young people need them to navigate the modern world with confidence. These competencies are also increasingly important for future employability, as well as training and study beyond secondary schooling. As partners of The University of Melbourne, our school has access to next-generation assessment and reporting tools to measure the development of complex competencies, and resources to guide our teachers to design learning programs that support the development of competence in our students.

What is this work hoping to achieve?

The work of the New Metrics partnership aims to guide our practice and report on what learners can do beyond traditional domain-based knowledge and skills. Our teachers are developing learning programs that enable students to learn and demonstrate competence. Our school is committed to supporting our students to develop agency in learning, fostering students to know what to learn, how to learn it and who to learn it from. The more our learners develop agency, the more we hope they understand how to be motivated and act for a purpose that is meaningful to them or relevant to their community. In Australia, there is an increasing number of schools, universities and employers interested in the deliberate teaching and assessment of complex competencies. The growing number of schools, including ours, that are participating in new assessment practices has opened the door for a national conversation on teaching and learning in Australia and we are looking forward to continuing to contribute to this important work.

University Open Days

Universities are also recognising that there are many skills and experiences that can contribute to student success in tertiary education. As a result, there are more pathways into university than ever before. If you are interested in finding out the most up-to-date information regarding university courses and admission information, please consider attending one of the following University Open Days. Further information can be found on the University websites and SEQTA Notices.

• Curtin University – 24 March 2024
• Murdoch University – 23 March 2024
• University of Western Australia – 17 March 2024
• Edith Cowan University (Joondalup) – 14 April 2024
• Edith Cowan University (Mt Lawley) – 28 April 2024
• WAAPA - 30 April 2024

It has been a fantastic start to the year, and I am looking forward to seeing what the rest of the term brings!

Rebecca Piccolo

Dean of Teaching and Learning