Teaching & Learning

Celebrating Term One

Happy end of Term One! I would like to thank all of our students for their dedication, effort and positive contribution to school life throughout the term. Term One is always a significant one in setting the tone for the year ahead, and it has been wonderful to see students across the school engaging strongly in their learning and wider school opportunities.

A special thank you must also go to our Head of Mathematics, Ms Hewitt, and our Head of Humanities, Mr Maddess, along with their departments, for leading our Maths and HASS weeks this term. It has been fantastic to see so many students pursuing and celebrating their passions in these learning areas. There were many highlights across both weeks, including the Geo-Cake Bake Off and Year 7 Ancient Dress Competition as part of Humanities Week, as well as the generosity of members of our St George’s parent community who shared a variety of short videos with students showing how mathematics plays an important role in their careers. Thank you to all staff who contributed to making these activities so engaging and memorable for our students.

I would like to thank students and families for their valued feedback in operating as a dual-campus model until 2030. Following this, we're excited to introduce five timetable changes at the start of Term Two...

These changes include a permanent double period for Periods 1 and 2, longer lunch breaks every  Monday and Thursday, fewer campus transitions through the opening of additional classrooms at both campuses, lighter schoolbags through more strategic textbook use, and greater flexibility for some Year 12 Private Study periods.

A summary of these five changes, alongside our adjusted lesson times, is provided in the attached image, and full details will continue to be shared with students and families via SEQTA before the beginning of next term.

Term One Interim Reports

Year 7–12 Interim Reports are now available for students and families via SEQTA Engage and SEQTA Learn.

These reports provide a valuable snapshot of each student’s progress so far this year through feedback on our five Learner Attributes:

• Demonstrates organisational skills
• Uses class time effectively
• Works collaboratively when required
• Works independently when required
• Works to the best of their ability

We hope this feedback provides families with a helpful insight into how students have started the year and will support ongoing conversations about growth, progress and success across the Easter School Holidays.

Years 11–12 Semester One Examination Timetables

Semester One Examinations for Years 11 and 12 will take place during Weeks 5 and 6 of Term Two.  Examinations will be held in the Murray Street Ground Floor Library, and detailed examination timetables are available via SEQTA notices for students and families. Students are encouraged to familiarise themselves with their examination schedule carefully and ensure they arrive on time for each examination.

If a student is absent for an examination, families must contact the school as early as possible. Please note that a medical certificate is required for any absence during the examination period.

During the examination period, Years 11 and 12 students are only required to attend school for their scheduled examinations, in full winter uniform. Outside of these times, students may choose to study from home, use facilities around the city, or access the Laurence Library (William Street) as a quiet study space. Students are, however, required to attend school as normal up until the first day of examinations.

Over the upcoming holiday break, we strongly encourage students to begin laying the foundation for their examination preparation and ultimate success. Effective holiday study strategies include:

• completing past papers under timed conditions
• marking responses using marking keys to identify areas for improvement
• writing clear and comprehensive course notes
• reviewing and memorising key content regularly

For Year 12 students, the ATAR Learning Hub (found via SEQTA Portals) is an excellent starting point for revision support and study guidance.

We wish all students the very best as they prepare for their Semester One examinations and look forward to celebrating their efforts and achievements.

Year 12 APEx Externally Set Task (EST) Timetable

We also wish to ensure that our Year 12 APEx students are well prepared for the upcoming Externally Set Tasks (ESTs), which will take place during Weeks 4 and 5 of Term Two.

The EST is an important assessment for APEx students, contributing 15 per cent to each student’s final course grade. As such, it is important that students use the holiday break and the beginning of next term to revise key content and prepare carefully.

Our academic staff have already begun preparing students for these tasks in class by revisiting key knowledge, concepts and skills. Students are encouraged to review their Term One learning over the holidays and make the most of revision opportunities provided early next term. The finalised EST timetable is now available on SEQTA Portals under the APEx Learning Hub. Students should take the time to become familiar with the schedule and plan their preparation accordingly.

Mr Anthony Bochrinis

Dean of Teaching & Learning