Transition..... Exams

Transition Update

Year 7 enrolments for 2018 are looking very positive, indeed! We are planning for five Year 7 classes, and families are currently completing their enrolment paperwork. Thanks to Kath Coff at Castlemaine District Community Health and her amazing work in writing grant applications, this year we are very pleased to be able to offer families support with the enrolment process. Please contact CSC reception if you, or someone you know, might benefit from some guidance while completing their enrolment paperwork.

Year 6 students will continue their transitions into the CSC community though a number of events and programs in Term 4. Our ‘Making the Leap’ program will continue on Wednesday 17 October and Friday 17 November. This program is designed to support students who are a little nervous about starting secondary school, or who have additional needs. It gives them a chance to gradually develop their familiarity with the environment and people at CSC. The statewide Orientation Day will take place on Tuesday 12 December. We are very excited to welcome our new CSC students, helping them to get to know their mentor teacher and to learn about how secondary school works, and we have lots of fun, practical activities planned for the day.

Another Year 7 Parent Information evening will also occur during Term 4. The focus of this event will be some of the ‘nitty gritty’ details such as uniform, Year 7 camp and computer devices. We are hoping to show off some of our current Year 7 students in a uniform parade -- an exciting addition to the night!

Finally our Year 7 and Year 8 students are heading off to La Trobe University in Bendigo to take part in a Pathways and Aspiration program on Friday 13 October. We are very fortunate to be included in the La Trobe School Partnerships Program, which subsidises our students to participate in a range of incursions, excursions and workshops that are designed to open their eyes to whole host of career and further education opportunities. Past feedback about this program from students has been very positive and indicates that is a highly effective approach to building students’  aspirations and educational engagement.

Make sure you keep an eye on the CSC Instagram for photos of our students in action!

Kate Young

Transitions Leader

Exams

For students undertaking Year 12 subjects, the Term 3 break can be unsettling. The learning component of their courses is finally complete, and most will want to relax and spend a significant amount of time not thinking about school at all. But then there are the exams, and for many, several SACs as well. . .

The reality is that in order to achieve to their potential in the exams, students will need to use the upcoming break wisely. This will mean spending significant time relaxing and significant time revising. Many students develop a ‘study plan’ for the break which includes rest periods as needed. Some revision strategies commonly used are:

• Prepare and regularly review summary notes
• Participate in commercial exam revision lectures
• Join online subject-specific student forums
• Review all learning activities set throughout the year
• Undertake practice exam questions, initially organised by topic
• Develop a routine for how to start and finish each study session
• Work with one or more ‘study buddies’
• Eat healthily and ensure plenty of sleep
• Set goals for each subject and break them into smaller goals that can be achieved within specific study sessions
• Don’t spend too much time tackling a particular problem. If it is not budging, make a note and seek help from the teacher or any other suitable source
• Spend some time with friends and family so that a study/life balance is maintained
• Complete all Designated Learning Activities as soon as possible so that the ‘decks are clear’ for exam preparation

There are many other strategies beyond these and if you would like to know more then feel free to contact the relevant Mentor or subject teacher.

To support students with their exam preparation a number of teachers have volunteered to lead exam revision sessions for their subjects. A copy of the revision schedule is below. Students are welcome to use these and to do so they just need to turn up with the relevant equipment and be prepared to participate.

The Wellbeing staff at the College are also available to support students with any Wellbeing issues, such as anxiety, that might arise as the exams draw closer. In addition to this they also run workshops during Thursday lunchtimes (during Terms 3 & 4) in the Calm Learning Space. These are designed to help students develop relaxation and focussing techniques.

The exam period can be quite stressful. However, if students set realistic goals for what they would like to achieve and develop and stick to a balanced study plan, then they are likely to achieve a result that will allow them to access tertiary courses, or other programs, that are of interest to them.

If you have any questions about the exam period or you have something that you wish to discuss please do not hesitate to contact the College.

​but the exams are looming.

David Watson

Year 12 Hoodies 2018 

Following a process which involved the Year 11 Precinct Leaders the 2018 Hoodie is very close to being finalised.

Students will soon receive instructions about how to place their order using an on-line system which will require the use of a credit or debit card.

The cost of the Hoodie is $76 plus a small card fee. Students will have had an opportunity to try on sample sizes prior to placing their order.

Faye Cordy