Leading Teachers Report
Leading Teacher: Middle School
Dear Middle School Students, Parents, Carers, and Families,
As we near the end of first term, it has been great to see our middle school students settle back into the routine of school. We are seeing many smiling faces, as our students continue to build relationships with their peers and teachers. Our year level coordinators, Mr Blattman (Year 9) and Mr Ioannidis (Year 10) are working hard on additional programs to support the emotional and social development of our middle students. Stay tuned for these!
Throughout the past few weeks students and teachers are working hard, as CATs (assessment tasks) are rolling in across all subject areas. It’s important that these are completed to the best of the student’s ability, and submitted on-time, so that students are best able to reflect their learning and our school value of High Expectations.
Homework and home routine plays an important role in student learning. It enables students to consolidate their understanding of the classroom material, applying what they have learned. A diligent year 9 student would be completing 7-10 hours of per week (1 hour – 1.5 hours per night), while year 10’s should aim for 10-15 hours per week (1.5-2 hours per night) as they prepare for VCE.
For students that may require extra assistance, we offer homework help on Monday’s and Wednesday’s afterschool in IT3 and it’s important that students are communicating with their teachers if they are finding it challenging to stay up to date with their work.
I also remind students of our expectations in relation to our uniform policy. PE uniform is only to be worn on days where students have PE classes. On all other days, students are expected to wear their full academic uniform, including their blazer to and from school and black leather shoes (not black runners). For more information, visit our webpage for the college uniform policy.
As the year continues, I look forward to our middle school team supporting your child’s learning and development.
Travis Knox
Director of Students
Middle School
Please see below for year level specific announcements:
Year 9’s - NAPLAN
For our year 9’s, NAPLAN is coming up in Term 2. NAPLAN tests assess student knowledge and skills in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar, and punctuation) as well as numeracy. The results of the tests provide information for students, parents, teachers, and principals and can be used to improve student achievement.
All students are expected to participate in the NAPLAN online tests, which will be conducted at school, during class time. Catch up tests will be available for individual students who are absent on test days.
Later in the year, you will receive your child’s personal NAPLAN report. The report will describe your child’s particular skills in reading, writing, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. The report will also show how your child performed in relation to national minimum standards. These describe the minimum acceptable standards for students across Australia. I am confident that the information you receive as a result of your child’s participation in the NAPLAN tests will be valuable in helping you to assess your child’s progress in literacy and numeracy.
For more information about NAPLAN Online, please visit the VCAA website at www.vcaa.vic.edu.au or the NAP website at www.nap.edu.au
Year 10’s – Studying a VCE subject (Units 1 and 2)
Congratulations to our year 10 students who are undertaking the challenge of completing a VCE subject in year 10. The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) is the governing body who mandate the policies which guide the delivery of VCE.
It’s important that students and families are aware that VCE subjects have specific attendance requirements, school assessed coursework (SAC) scheduling requirements and minimum requirements to achieve a satisfactory result. This was discussed with students last week at an assembly. If students or families have questions or concerns, please contact the student services office at the college.