Learning Support
& Enrichment

Notemaking - 10 Top Tips
Critical Thinking versus Description
Provisions Years 5-10
OT @ Pius - Update on Courses
After-School Study & Tutoring Program

Notemaking: 10 Top Tips

In the lead-up to the Year 7, 8 and 9 Exam block, here are 10 top tips on effective notemaking for your sons.

Critical Thinking v Description

More critical thinking, and less description please!

For the benefit of all students preparing for Term 4 exams or assessment tasks involving extended responses, this is a useful summary which outlines the differences between critical/analytical writing and descriptive writing.

Critical Thinking versus Description.pdf

Provisions Years 5-10

Provisions for tests, exams and assessments in Years 5-10

Dear Parents and Carers,

The approvals for Provisions (Years 5-10) have been confirmed for Term 4 2016, and the relevant students and their parents have been advised, and confirmations sent out via email or communicated by phone. The process at the College involves parent/carer contact with the school, in order to seek approval on the basis of a diagnosed disability that impacts learning, and specifically the student’s ability to perform to their true ability, in an exam or assessment situation. As a result of this confirmed impact, students are able to access their Provisions for all whole-grade tests, exam blocks and timed written in-class assessment tasks.

The LSE (Learning Support and Enrichment) Department has the main responsibility for processing applications, for notifying parents and students, and for administering and supervising all their provisions and adjustments during formal exam blocks and for many assessment tasks throughout the year. Exam blocks are those listed on the school calendar, and they include the NAPLAN test week, Year 12 Trial exam block, Years 5-9 Semester 2 Exam block, the Year 10 Semester 2 Exam block, and the Year 11 Exam blocks. Please note, however, that for other tests such as competitions (eg. the UNSW ICAS tests), students are not given Provisions on these occasions.

Please note that ONLY THOSE STUDENTS whose medical or clinical documents have been processed through the LSE Department, and been approved, can receive Provisions. The Provisions program is reviewed on a semester or annual basis. The medical/clinical documentation must be no older that 12-18 months in general, and so we advise parents at this time of year to please send in any updated medical or clinical documentation including medical reports, reviews or letters at your earliest convenience.

If you would like to know more about process for applying for Provisions at St Pius X College, or if you believe your son may be eligible on the basis of a diagnosed disability which may be impacting on his performance in tests, exams or assessments, or if you have updated medical information on your son’s condition or disability, please contact Ms Joanne Raheb-Mol, Coordinator of Learning Support and Enrichment, via email at JRahebMol@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au for more information.

OT@PIUS - Update on Courses

The Term 4 courses are now in full swing. Anna Orchard, our occupational therapist and external provider, is currently running two afternoon courses in Touch Typing each Monday and Wednesday, and one course in Handwriting Skills each Tuesday afternoon.

All courses are full, with approximately 24–30 students involved this term. Thank you Anna!

And for something different, Anna is currently offering a Staff Touch Typing Course each Friday morning from 8am until 8.30am. Depending on numbers this should also continue into 2017.

The next OT intake is scheduled for the start of Term 1 2017, so watch this space for details, or contact Anna anna.louise.orchard@gmail.com

or Joanne JRahebMol@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au for more information.

After-School Study & Tutoring Program

The After-School Study and Tutoring (AS&T) Program provides an after-school opportunity for all students in Years 5-12 to study independently or with one-to-one assistance in order to complete homework, assignments, and assessments tasks in all subject areas. At the end of a busy school day, the Senior Library is the ideal space where the boys can unwind and relax with friends, while consolidating their learning from today or organising and planning for tomorrow’s schedule. They can choose to read books, to do research, to catch up on missed work, or get a head start on homework, without pressure or distractions. Staff are on hand, ready to provide FREE one-to-one tutoring assistance and proof-reading advice for those students who would like some help with their work in English, Maths, Science and a range of other subjects. This includes literacy, reading and writing skills, grammar, essay-writing, mentals and problem-solving, as well as task planning and exam revision strategies including memory techniques and note-making skills for all subjects.

WHAT: This FREE program operates all year round, and starts in Week 2 of each school term
WHO: All students welcome, from all years 5 - 12
WHERE: Held in in the Senior Library, top of A Block (SRC). Library seminar rooms are also available.
WHEN: Open each Tuesday and Wednesday, from 3.15pm - 4.30pm
NO NEED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT - Students may attend regularly or on a ‘drop-in’ basis. Students are welcome to attend on one or more than one afternoon per week, and students with regular attendance will receive merits for the time and effort they put in.

FREE TUTORING HELP FOR ASSESSMENT TASKS IN ALL SUBJECT AREAS - This assistance will be limited to: planning and research help, interpreting rubrics and marking criteria, editing of paragraphs, and proof reading checks of word and sentence level grammar - in all subject areas

IMPROVES LITERACY AND NUMERACY SKILLS - through one-to-one targeted tutoring help, by completing practice questions, and checking answers from the selection of AS&T resources, and by playing a range of interactive games and online educational resources.

AS&T STAFF WELCOME REFERRALS FROM PARENTS OR TEACHERS to address specific literacy, numeracy or learning and organisational concerns raised in parent-teacher discussions or noted on the student’s end of semester report.

Direct any queries about the AS&T program to Ms Joanne Raheb-Mol, LSE Coordinator, via phone (02) 94114733, or email: JRahebMol@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au