Principal's Message
Interim Reports
Despite the all too frequent absence of some students and some staff due to COVID protocols, the various Curriculum Programs and Assessment Schedules set for Term 1 have continued and student performance data has been gathered. Both students and staff should be congratulated on the very special effort, cooperation and trust that has been evident in completing all aspects of a somewhat complicated term of work and events. Similarly, I wish to thank families for their support and encouragement in this regard.
The College Interim Reports for all students have now been compiled and a staggered timeline for the distribution of Interim Reports has been established to coincide with respective Parent Teacher Student Interviews (PTSI). In the last fortnight, the Year 11 and 12 Interim Reports were made available via SEQTA prior to the online PTSI that were held on 30 March. Similarly, the Interim Reports for Years 4-6 have been released prior to the online Junior School PTSI that will occur next week. It has been particularly pleasing to see the number of parents who availed themselves of the opportunity to discuss their son’s progress. The online format has proved to be very efficient and appears to have eased some burden for families and teachers. Next week, the Interim Reports for students in Year 7-10 will be made available via SEQTA prior to the scheduled online PTSI on Tuesday, 26 April. Details of these online interviews, and specific instructions on how to book particular interview times will be sent to parents and are referenced in this newsletter by our Vice Principal, Mrs Sabrina Hughes. These PTSI present a wonderful opportunity for parents to engage with the College and further discuss aspects of their son’s learning and progress.
I would encourage parents to put some time aside to engage with your son and genuinely analyse the ‘story within’ the Interim Reports. While only limited amounts of formal assessments have been completed at this early stage of the year, the Interim Report gives a snapshot on student progress to date. Based on the professional judgement of respective teachers, and guided by class performance to this stage, the Interim Report presents a picture of a student’s application, effort and general organisation.
It may be very timely for parents to sit with their son to discuss all aspects of their Interim Report. Such a discussion can be used to celebrate those areas in which effort and achievement are positive; and likewise, to highlight those areas in which improvements need to be made. The analysis of reports should be used as the basis for meaningful discussions about establishing consistent and genuine levels of application with a view to achieving personal excellence at school. The Interim Report is less about achievement (marks and grades) and more about presenting a picture about directed effort and attitude to class work with a view to forming positive and successful approach to studies. The Personal Excellence Attributes Matrix that accompanies the Student Reports will be of great help in such an honest analysis. Striving for ‘their personal best’ should be the aim of every student and fully appreciating what is required to improve in terms of work habits and application will be very helpful in this regard.
I am sure that as parents, you would have similar expectations of your son. It is vitally important that an organised approach to study, a positive attitude and genuine levels of application and commitment are established as the basis for student achievement. Once again, I would encourage parents to use their child’s Interim Report as a means to acknowledge and affirm areas of success and achievement while challenging ways in which further improvements can be made.
Live Jesus in our hearts.