Assistant Principal's Report

The Flipped Classroom

One of the emerging strategies being used by teachers is the concept of the "flipped classroom". Rather than coming to class to watch the teacher lecture, students watch the lecture at home and then come to class to practice what they have learned. Indeed, this approach complements what many teachers of O'Connor are already doing. Most staff utilise Google Classroom and/ or Google sites where resource material can be placed for students. Parents and carers can also have access to these sites.

This enables a student to watch a tutorial, PowerPoint or read a text ahead of the class. Students are more prepared and motivated to engage in learning if they can access prior knowledge.

Another advantage of this approach if done well is that essential skills work is completed at school. For example, the class could discuss the courses of World War One and the teacher asks that students write an essay at home. The problem here is that the essential skill, that of comprising a well structured text that is logical, contains good use of terminology and is coherent is completed without, at the time, feedback from the teachers. Those students who struggle with writing and composing text are missing out.

Term Two

Term 2 is commonly associated with reporting on Semester 1. Year 12 Parent/ Teacher interviews are set down for Tuesday 22nd May. Reports will be posted out Friday May 11th. Year 11 Reports will follow this with interviews set down for Tuesday 5th June. Reports for Years 7-10 and subsequent interviews will be staggered over Weeks 8-10.

On the evening of 21st May an information session will be held for Year 7 parents regarding the use of technological device support from Term 3. Information will be provided on types of services that would be appropriate for school and the procedures that we take in terns of filters and support. All year 7 parents are urged to attend so we can be ready for Term 3. Further information will follow.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN testing will begin for Years 7 & 9.

This year testing will be over a 2 week period. A timetable is attached so that parents also know when a test is on. As this is the first of online testing we have had to up-skill teacher administrators and supervisors. If your son or daughter is feeling particularly anxious about NAPLAN please don't hesitate to contact the school.

Road Rules

For some time now we have had the Turn Left Only sign at the exit of the front of the school. We are waiting on a sign that shows the times this sign is in effect. In the meantime the times are between 8.00am - 9.00am and 3.00pm - 4.00pm. We are grateful that a majority of parents who pick up and drop off students are doing the right thing and turning left at peak traffic times especially when buses are involved.