Assistant Principal Report
IPAD Use
It is usually at this time of the year that the gloss of new books and equipment begins to wear off. It is timely for parents to go through the school bag, not just for the routine clean out of week old lunches, but to ensure that students have the necessary equipment for class. I have had a number of staff make comment that students in Years 8-10 are not bringing an IPAD to school and this has caused delays to the start of some lessons as students need to go elsewhere to find a device. At this point it is an expectation that all students in years 8-10 have a fully charged IPAD available each day for school.
Ready-Set-Go Program
The Year 10 Ready-Set-Go program has been launched under the guidance of Miss Ellen Newberry, our Year 10 Coordinator. We have brought this program forward from the end of the year as we believe students really need to be thinking about future pathways at this stage. Students will look at work experience, developing a curriculum vitae and career options. Too often at the end of the year we find students have left it too late to look at alternate pathways to school. Traineeships and apprenticeships are not easy to find but they are available if parents and students are prepared to do the source work.
Year 12 Exams
The Year 12 Exams commence in Week 9 this term. Students need to be already preparing for this exam week in order to give themselves the best chance of success. All students need to be submitting work for feedback and making adjustments accordingly. A regular and consistent study pattern is essential and parents need to ensure that students have the right balance between schoolwork, paid employment and social activities.
2016 HSC Data Evaluation
Teachers have undertaken an evaluation of the 2016 HSC Data together with system coaches from the CSO. Assessing the data is essential so that we are better placed to understand what areas of the syllabus we should focus on to improve results.
PLT (Professional Learning Time) Periods
Friday 3rd March saw the commencement of the first of our PLT (Professional Learning Time) periods for the year. During the Assembly/Pastoral Period time, teachers will meet in in small teams to discuss their own learning plans for the year. Using our Annual Improvement Plan and the AITSL standards for teachers, staff have identified an area of teaching and learning that they wish to further develop their expertise. Whilst teachers are attending meetings, students will be allocated a House Class that is vertically aligned from Years 7-12. During this period, Year 11/12 students will act as mentors and students have a study period.
Year 9 Information Night
On Monday 27th February, the school held an information evening for students in Year 9. The HSC Minimum standards as they relate to NAPLAN results in Year 9 were discussed. We also informed students and parents about the ROSA (Records of Student Achievement) and other aspects of assessment and reporting. I would like to thank parents from Years 7, 9 and 11 for your support and engagement on these Information Nights.