Principals' Report

"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do.

Attitude determines how well you do it."

Lou Holtz (former American football player)

Koonung Day 2018

On Friday 7 September, I was approached by a family visiting Koonung. They asked what was happening on this day as they saw many students out in the yard doing various activities. My response was that the students and the College community were celebrating all things about Koonung. This was our special Koonung Day. I was impressed with the amazing house singing, school bands and various student/parent/staff led activities. It was a great celebration for all. Congratulations to the student leadership team, PFA and Allira Howe for organising the event.

Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award

Congratulations to Daniel Pooley, Year 11, for receiving the Bronze Award of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. Daniel received this award for completing the following challenges: Service, Skill, Physical Recreation and an Adventurous Journey. Well done.

Can Do Attitude

At our 2018 Ski Camp, I saw many students being challenged by learning a new skill in a tough outdoor environment. It is difficult trying to ski/snowboard for the first time especially when you see other students in primary school doing it easily. Our students saw success because of the following: they embraced the challenge rather than fearing it; they were motivated to get down the slope without falling; they stayed focused on achieving their goal; they learned from the failures; they used supportive teachers, students and leaders around them to achieve their goal; they opted to stay positive even when it was tough; they believed in themselves, that they could do it; they built resilience by having a can do attitude. It was great to see all of the students, over the three days, achieve their goals. I encourage all students to take on this type of attitude in every classroom.

NAPLAN Results

NAPLAN results and reports have been received by the College this week. All students who participated in the NAPLAN tests will get an individual report of their results. NAPLAN individual student reports provide information about what students know and have achieved in the areas of reading, writing, language conventions and numeracy. They also provide information on how students have performed in relation to other students in the same year group, and against the national average (over one million students participate in NAPLAN tests each year) and the national minimum standards. For each year level, only six of the ten bands are shown on the student report.

Year 7 student reports show bands 4 to 9, and the national minimum standard is band 5

Year 9 student reports show bands 5 to 10, and the national minimum standard is band 6

The NAPLAN report is only one aspect of the College’s assessment and reporting process, and does not replace the more extensive and informed judgements made about each student by their teachers. Koonung Secondary College uses the NAPLAN test results to analyse special programs, curriculum design and pedagogical practices. The 2018 NAPLAN results give us cause to celebrate the great work that has occurred across the Middle School over the past year. Some of the summary points are:

Year 9 students’ relative growth in Writing this year is strong

High relative growth was achieved by students in the upper bands as well as the lower band for writing

Consistently, more than 90% of our Year 7 students test above National Minimum Standards for numeracy. The same is true in Year 9 – 97% and 98% above minimum standard over the last two years.

87% of Year 9 students are are above the national standard in spelling

90% of Year 7 students are are above the national standard in reading

Attitude to School Survey (ATSS)

The attitudes to school survey results have been received in the last two weeks. The survey gathers data to support student wellbeing, engagement, school improvement and planning in schools. The survey captures students’ attitudes and experiences at school and is aligned with the Department’s Framework for Improving Student Outcomes (FISO). The survey measures are based on the best available evidence about what influences student outcomes. Our College will use the survey results to plan programs and activities to improve your child's schooling experience.

Some of the summary points are:

74% of Year 12 students state that their teachers provide learning outcomes for lessons

71% of all students state that the feedback they receive from teachers helps them understand

90% of students state that their teachers gives them extra help

87% of all students state that their teacher expects them to do their best

84% of all students state that they want to learn new things

91% of all students state that they want to attend school

Mark Quinlan

Assistant Principal