Dean of Studies

What does school prepare students for?

In a survey of students in NSW Schools in 2013, researchers asked 3500 school students about their career aspirations and the top five ranked occupations chosen (according to the year level of the students) are listed below in preference order:

Source: Gore, J., Holmes, K., Smith, M., Southgate, E., and Albright, J. (2015) Socioeconomic status and the career aspirations of Australian school students: Testing enduring assumptions. Australian Educational Researcher.

If this survey was repeated for students at St Norbert College, the results would make for an interesting comparison, as this may offer an insight into what our students’ value and what they perceive as being necessary for their life beyond school. As many students consider their subject selections, study options or career pathways for 2020, it may be worth considering what a student learns at school that cannot always be measured or assessed by an exam, assignment or report.

An article by Margaret Renkl* entitled “Let’s Hear It for the Average Child”, highlights the achievements and learning of students that don’t necessarily receive the awards, accolades and prizes, yet are still learning and developing essential skills and required knowledge for success as an adult. Some of the examples include: The student who completes all their homework in the hardest subject(s), submits all tasks by the deadline, studies diligently for tests and shows up for every extra study session or uses the library to complete homework after school. This student has never taken the easy path and their personal best may include achievement of ‘C’ grades, yet in life beyond school, they will excel at what they do best and let others excel at what they do best. As Renkl states: “For the rest of your life, you will never again think of this ‘C’ grade, but you’ll bring your character and your capacity for hard work to all your future endeavours.”

The student that easily makes friends across grades, groups and genders, may sometimes feel like an outsider at every insider gathering, yet their gift for friendship will transcend circumstance and people will acknowledge them for the skill in making others feel at ease regardless of location or circumstance. Their skills in observation and the nuances of human behaviour may be adept for many occupations and careers.

The student who sits in the classroom with the textbook or required website open, yet will take every opportunity to read their (hidden) library book. There is no getting around the course you are required to complete, but your love for reading is a foundation for a healthy life, as Renkl states:

“Immersing yourself in a grand story will be a respite from your troubles, and a lifetime spent lingering over language will give you the right words when you need them yourself. No one writes a better love letter than a lifelong reader.”

We can also celebrate the players on the team that are more often the reserves or substitutes, that have a love for the game and a developing sense of loyalty. They may never score the winning basket, kick the winning goal or be celebrated for the performance that carries the team forward. However, the pleasure of belonging and the pride of representing your team will go with you forever. Their skills as contributors to the team goals will carry them forward in the workplace of the future.

There are many other examples provided by Renkl, from the student with a well-developed sense of empathy to support a friend or family member through illness and troubled times, to the day-dreamer who although appears to lack focus, but can find inspiration and innovation in the, ‘aha!’  moments of life, and their capacity for deep thinking and reflection.

So as Semester One concludes, reflect upon your achievements, celebrate and acknowledge your areas of strength, reset your goals and commit to, “doing one thing better” in Term Three. Be mindful and appreciate what is best summarised by Renkl with respect to the journey of school,

“Life is not a contest, and the world is not an arena. Just by being here, unique among all others, offering contributions that no one else can give, you have already won the one prize that matters most.”

(*Margaret Renkl:  https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/31/opinion/average-child.html,  31 May, 2019)

SEIJO EXCHANGE – Assistance required

The College has a warm and long-lasting relationship with Seijo School in Japan and we are again seeking support from families in the St Norbert College community to assist with hosting some of the visiting students from Seijo in Term Three.

We are in particular need of families that may be willing to host female students, and we encourage you to contact the College to indicate your interest. This is an opportunity to provide an Australian cultural experience for overseas students and build mutual friendships between our students and the Seijo students.

OLNA (Round 2)

Students in Year 10–12 who have not yet achieved Category 3 for either Writing, Reading or Numeracy will be required to complete Round 2 of the OLNA in Term Three. The scheduled dates will be as follows:

1. Monday, 2 September,

• Writing (9am-10am)

2. Tuesday, 3 September

• Reading (9am-9.55am)
• Writing catch up (9.55am-10.50am)

3.  Monday, 9 September

Numeracy (9.00am-9.55am)

• Reading/Numeracy catch up (12pm-12.55pm)

Assessment Catch-Up

This year the College elected to implement after-school catch-up sessions for students who are absent from in-class assessments. The constraints of the curriculum often requires assessments to be completed and marked within a short time-frame, and the purpose of the catch-up is to ensure minimal disruption to student learning.

The College appreciates that the circumstances for an absence is often beyond a student’s control, and may include ongoing health-related absences. The assessment catch-up sessions are scheduled from Tuesday to Friday (3:30pm – 4:30pm) and aim for students to complete assessments within seven days of the originally scheduled due date. 

If no alternative arrangements have been made with a subject Teacher or the respective Head of Learning Area, then the assessment item remains incomplete at the end of this period, and will no longer be offered. As always, we encourage a conversation to achieve the best learning outcome for students.

University of Notre Dame – Early Offer

If you are a Year 12 student, here's your chance to secure a university education through the Notre Dame Early Offer Program. This program is open to Year 12 students who have demonstrated academic excellence and/or are making a significant contribution to their school or community.

With an early offer, you can sit your Year 12 exams with added confidence. It’s also a great way for schools to acknowledge their outstanding students. Applications for an early offer to study in Semester 1, 2020 are due by Wednesday, 31 July 2019.

Go to: https://www.notredame.edu.au/study/early-offer for more information regarding applications.

ATAR Revision Seminars – Parent Committee subsidy

For many Year 12 students, the opportunity to attend ATAR Course Revision Seminars in the school holidays can enhance their examination preparation and course content knowledge. Due to the support provided by the St Norbert College Parent Committee, any Year 12 student who attends an ATAR revision seminar, is eligible to receive a subsidy ($20) for attending. If you attend a seminar during the July school holidays, please pay for your course and then return your receipt to the College at the commencement of Term Three to receive the subsidy.

As an added incentive, TEE Consultants are giving away a FREE subject course in the TEE July Program valued at $175. To enter, all a Year 12 ATAR student needs to do is use the link below and enter their details at: https://www.tee.com.au/competition/

Mr R Dowling (Dean of Studies)