Assistant Principals' Update

Learning and Teaching

NAPLAN

NAPLAN testing is scheduled for Year 7 and 9 Students during Week 4 of this term, from Tuesday 14 May to Thursday 16 May.

The schedule is as follows:

Tuesday 14 May: Language Conventions and Writing

Wednesday 15 May: Reading

Thursday 16 May: Numeracy

All students are expected to participate in the NAPLAN tests and catch up tests will be made available for individual students who are absent on test days.

Semester One Examinations

The end of semester examination is an important part of the learning program at the College. In addition to assessing knowledge and understanding, the exams also provide an opportunity for the students to develop and refine other important skills such as learning how to revise, managing time before and during exams, coping with nerves and working to a strict time limit.

These exams provide our students with an opportunity to practise these skills and we will be providing support and guidance before, during and after the examination period. Each subject teacher will lead their class through a revision program and we ask parents/carers to encourage their daughter to begin a revision program at home as part of their study routine.

Year 9 Students will complete exams in Core Subjects (English, Mathematics, Science and Humanities).

Year 10 and 11 students will complete examinations in all subjects except for the following:

• Year 10 Core PE/ Health Year
• Year 11 RE ( Semester 2 exam only)
• VCE Units 3 & 4 subjects being studied in Year 11

Year 10 and Year 11 VCE Exams commence on Friday 31 May and conclude on Friday 7 June. VCAL classes continue as usual during the examination period.

Year 9 exams commence on Thursday 6 June and conclude on Friday 7 June.

Detailed information regarding the examination timetable and other procedures and protocols will be circulated to students and families next week.

Strategic Plan

Kilbreda College is about to embark on the process of developing a Strategic Plan for 2020-2025. The Strategic Plan will outline our priorities in all areas across the college and serve to inform and guide our decisions. The Strategic Planning Committee will lead this important work and will be made up of staff and parents, with regular opportunities for students to have input into its design.

We aim to have a draft prepared by end of Term 2/ early Term 3 with the final version published in Term 4, 2019. We will provide updates on our progress to the College Community through the newsletter.

VCE/ VET Unit 3 & 4 Students – General Achievement Test (GAT)

Wednesday 13 June 2019

All students enrolled in one or more VCE or scored VCE/VET Unit 3 and 4 sequences must sit the GAT.

Although GAT results do not count directly towards a student’s VCE results, they play an important role in checking that school-based and external assessments have been accurately assessed and in calculating Derived Examination Scores.

The Senior Pathways Coordinator, Melanie Marsh, will provide the students with more information about this important event. The students will also  complete a practice GAT prior to the date.

Please be aware that Wednesday 13 June is a student free day for all other students.

Catherine Johnston 

Assistant Principal: Learning and Teaching

Wellbeing and Engagement

Welcome back to what I am sure will be a fun, challenging and busy term.  Term 2 provides us with numerous opportunities to participate in the Kilbreda Co-Curricular Program. 

This term, on top of the usual activities that  our girls will be involved in, we have the House Athletics Carnival, the Bridges to Country Camp for our Year 9 students, the Unit 1 Biology Camp, Languages Week, Big Science Competition, Write a Book in a Day, the Titration Stakes Challenge, internal examinations for Year 9 to 11 students, Justice and Democracy seminars, the Year 12 Retreat, Futures Week experience for our Year 10 students and the Year 11 Central Australia trip.  Please see our College Calendar for key dates.

Mother’s Day Breakfast

On Friday 10 May 2019, the College will be hosting a Mother’s Day Breakfast in the Mary Dalton Hall to honour the integral role that our mothers/mother figures play in our lives. 

During the breakfast, we will acknowledge, through a series of presentations, dance and song, the special and cherished relationships enjoyed by mothers/mother figures and their daughters. 

Our guest speaker will discuss the changing nature of mother-daughter relationships across the developmental stages and ways that mothers and daughters can help each other to thrive. 

On behalf of our College Community, I would live to extend a special invitation to our beloved mothers and/or mother figures to join us in celebrating Mother’s Day.  Tickets can be purchased for this popular school event HERE .

Young People and Sleep

Teenagers often complain about being tired, listless and sleepy.  Sleep research shows that a teenager needs between nine and ten hours of sleep every night, yet most teenagers are only getting six to seven hours. 

Dr Andrew Fuller, a Clinical Psychologist who specialises in Adolescent Health says, “Getting enough sleep is one of the most powerful ways we can protect ourselves against depression.  The structures in the brain that support the most powerful antidepressant serotonin are built and rebuilt between the sixth and eighth hour of sleep.  Teenagers are often sleep-deprived which may in turn increase their vulnerability to stress.” 

Many parents/carers worry about whether their teenagers are getting enough sleep and wonder what they can do to help.  Orygen Youth Health, the National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health have developed a series of fact sheets, including one on the topic of sleep and young people and riding the sleep wave that offer suggestions on a good night’s sleep. 

Parents/carers may wish to use these fact sheets to have a conversation their daughter about her sleep patterns.

School Uniform

A reminder that all students must be in their full winter uniform by Monday 13 May 2019.  Students should make sure that they obtain all required items over the coming weeks and check that the length of their skirt sits at the knee.  Skirts are not to be rolled up.  Please ensure that tights are thick enough to be opaque (not transparent).

As previously advised, students will now have the option of purchasing pants from Bob Stewart to wear as part of the winter uniform.  The pants are black and have Kilbreda embroidered on the left front pocket, which is visible when wearing the jumper/blazer.  These are the only black pants that can be worn. 

I ask for parent/carer support in ensuring that your daughter wears her uniform correctly.

Stephanie Smyth

Assistant Principal: Wellbeing and Engagement