Learning, Teaching and College Operations

Research and evidence strongly suggest that parents who are connected with the school their child attends and who also connect with their learning at home have a positive impact on student learning outcomes. As parents we often ask the question “how was school today” or “what did you do at school today”. The response is usually “it was good or ok”, or “nothing much”. As a suggestion next time why not try asking your child “what challenged you in your learning today” or “what do you know now that you didn’t know before today”. It’s a great concept as it introduces the concept that school and school work can be challenging and students need to be challenged in their learning. 

Parent Access Module (PAM): 

At Mary MacKillop College, students access their work and assessment tasks through our online portal called SIMON all year round. This wonderful resource informs them of their daily timetable, lists the daily notices and ensures that they have quick and ready access to key learning materials. PAM…the "Parent Access Module" allows parents and guardians, access too much of this information as well. PAM access codes have been sent to all new families and all established families could use their existing code from last year to access this site. 

If you have misplaced your PAM login or need help finding these reports please email Adrienne Layton alayton@mmcrc.catholic.edu.au  and she will email you your login and password. 

Parents will now be able to gain access to student’s work when marked, see upcoming work submission dates, view teacher feedback and obtain school reports. 

Parent - Teacher - Student Interviews 

In 2022 we will be conducting the Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews in week 2 of Term 2. They will take place on Thursday, 5th May and Tuesday 10th May. This is an opportunity to discuss with your child’s teacher how they have progressed during Term 1 and to set goals that focus upon growth and development for Term 2 and beyond. A survey will be sent shortly to families asking for feedback regarding the location of the Parent -Teacher-Student interviews and preferences for virtual or face to face meetings.

We believe moving the Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews to Term 2 will let your child put the strategies discussed in place the next day. All information on how to book and access the Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews will be sent out Week 1 of Term 2, and all booking will be made via your PAM account. 

How Can You Support Your Child’s Learning At School? 

You can encourage your son or daughter to: 

• be organised 
• be punctual to class 
• bring the required equipment to class 
• be ready and willing to learn 
• complete and submit his/her best work 

You can support your child by: 

• reminding them about the importance of having a growth mindset (I can statements rather than I can’t)
• ensuring they have appropriate amounts of sleep, exercise and healthy food 
• discussing and showing an interest in their learning 
• reassuring them that teachers will be looking at designing learning to help them learn as much as possible from wherever their starting point is and, 
• reassuring them that teachers will provide multiple opportunities for them to continue to learn key knowledge and skills.

Year 10, 11 and 12 Study Skills Seminars

This week our Year 10 and 11 students have had presentations from Elevate Education on study skills and time management. While our Year 12 students had presentations on Elevating their Marks and Memory Mnemonics. Here are some of the comments from our students:

“I enjoyed listening to someone who had recently gone through the process and had a better understanding and could connect with us better. I learnt how to manage my time by not just sitting down and forcing myself into doing something without a break which would result in you losing focus and divert from the subject. Another thing I learnt was trigger words I tend to write sentences and would really benefit from trigger words which could save lots of time helping with longer exam preparation.” Kealey Oliver 

“I liked the session and learned how to study easier with strategies such as using trigger words and making a table for when to and how long to study.” Seth Dawson

“The Elevate learning seminar was a great experience. I found new ways to study and learnt many new skills in which I can use to elevate my learning. Time management and study skills were helpful and easy to understand.” Danni Amor

“Elevate learning really opened my eyes to the endless amount of strategies targeting studying such as memory games and study habits. I am truly excited to start studying my new and improved ways.” Darcy Methven

“The elevate session was really beneficial for me. I learnt to memorise information in many different ways, I will now be able to maximise my study.” Silas O’Halloran

“The seminar was very enlightening about my study habits and ways to memorize information such as not having your phone near you when studying and having a clean desk, it really elevated my studying.” Ty Hall