Learning & Teaching

As students settle into Term 1, I would like to remind parents of the Digital Platforms available to assist students in their learning at MCC.

Year 11 and 12 students have complimentary access to Atomi for all available subjects. These students have already been given log-ins and many have already been using the platform. Teachers can set study and revision activities on the platform or students can use the resources themselves to further extend and consolidate their regular learning. If Senior students have not yet logged into the platform, I encourage them to do so this week to gain access to the world of resources and information at their disposal.

Years 7-10 students have access to Education Perfect for all available subject areas. Teachers again can set lessons, activities, quizzes and formative learning through this platform and are able to give students feedback and record data on their results and performance. Again, students can seek out additional resources on the platform if they would like to further their learning in a particular subject area.

In addition to this, all students have access to the Google Suite, with all classes using Google Classroom to upload resources, compliment explicit face to face learning and to provide connection between staff and students during absences.

On top of this, each KLA area has subject specific platforms that have been purchased by the particular KLA Leader to further provide support to students' learning.

Further to this, there are many quality face to face programs being facilitated within the College as well. Year 7 students have one hour a week dedicated to Literacy. Our Literacy Instructional Teachers engage students in explicit instruction in skills as well as developing wide reading and comprehension strategies through the Accelerated Reader Program. These lessons take place in the Library, but are more than just students browsing different books. Students are matched to books of interest and ability level and are explicitly taught strategies and skills to assist in their reading comprehension, not only for their future Literacy lessons, but also for life in general.

Shortly, the Quicksmart program will commence for Year 7 students. The Numeracy program aims at improving student cognitive process, understanding and skills in numerical operations and functions. Students are selected from all ability levels and I encourage parents and students to support the program if they are chosen to participate, in order to optimise their learning and growth.

This year, the College will also introduce the Macquit Program targeted at improving student decoding in reading and comprehension. Staff have been trained in the program and will soon select the first batch of students to participate. Again, I encourage students who are selected to actively participate in the free program aimed at enhancing their literacy and communication skills.

Finally, I wish to remind parents of the upcoming NAPLAN tests. These important diagnostic tests will be undertaken by Year 7 and 9 students during Week 8 and 9. The earlier test dates have been set by the government to ensure results can be accessed by students, staff and parents at the end of Semester 1, enabling time for interventions and extensions to take place in Semester 2.

Below is the MCC Schedule of tests. On the days of the tests Students must bring:

• Their fully charged and functional laptop
• A set of headphones that have in built volume control (these must be non bluetooth to comply with the NAPLAN platform)
• Books and equipment for the remainder of the day as per normal

Students and parents can access the public demonstration site (https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site) to familiarise themselves with NAPLAN and the types of questions and tools available. Excessive preparation for NAPLAN is not required nor recommended.

Yours in learning,

Damien Herb