Learning and Teaching
Ms Jodie Connell - Deputy Principal
Research and evidence strongly suggest that parents who are connected with the school their child attends and who also connect with their learning at home have a positive impact on student learning outcomes. As parents, we often ask the question “how was school today” or “what did you do at school today”. The response is usually “it was good or ok”, or “nothing much”. As a suggestion, next time why not try asking your child “what challenged you in your learning today” or “what do you know now that you didn’t know before today”. It’s a great concept as it introduces the concept that school and school work can be challenging and students need to be challenged in their learning.
Parent Access Module (PAM):
At Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College, students access their work and assessment tasks through our online portal called SIMON all year round. This wonderful resource informs them of their daily timetable, lists the daily notices, and ensures that they have quick and ready access to key learning materials. PAM…the "Parent Access Module" allows parents and guardians, access too much of this information as well. PAM access codes have been sent to all new families and all established families could use their existing code from last year to access this site.
If you have misplaced your PAM login or need help finding these reports please email Adrienne Layton at alayton@mmcrc.catholic.edu.au and she assist you with logging in.
Parents will now be able to gain access to students' work when marked, see upcoming work submission dates, view teacher feedback, and obtain school reports.
Interim Reports
Next week (Tuesday 21st March) parents will receive their child’s interim reports. The structure and purpose of these are to report to you on the work habits demonstrated by students over the first part of the school year. The identified and reported behaviours align with our commitment to a Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour.
- Effectively Uses Organisational Strategies
- Constructively Participates and Works with Effort in Class Activities
- Works Independently When Required
- Practises Initiative to Improve Learning
- Personal and Social Classroom Behavioural Expectations
Staff base the decisions of these reports on each student individually, but also how students have interacted with one another in the classroom environment over the course of Term 1 2023. As parents, you should be aware of the information contained within these reports prior to reading them and be ready to celebrate success and identify opportunities for improvement.
The interim reports should be a conversation starter allowing you to open the dialogue with your child/ren to have a closer insight into their learning journey and ensure they are maximising their time at Mary MacKillop College in order to grow as young independent learners. If there is something that is reported on that is of concern to you, or you would like to hear more about the successes of your child/ren, please ensure you book in a time at our upcoming Parent-Student-Teacher Interviews.
Parent–Student–Teacher Interviews
Parent – Student – Teacher interviews are important opportunities for parents to make meaningful connections with teachers and put into place clear strategies to drive student improvement. Encouraging young people to achieve personal bests, avoiding comparison between themselves and others and recognising what they have accomplished and what they may be able to do better to achieve even more, is crucial to driving student improvement.
Face-to-Face Parent–Student–Teacher interviews will be held in the Senior School Building on Thursday 30th March between 4.00 pm and 7.00 pm. Bookings for these will close at 5.00 pm Wednesday 29th March. Please note the rooms staff will be located in are on the booking system, and a map of the Senior School Building is provided to assist parents in planning their appointments.
Virtual Parent–Student–Teacher interviews will be held via Google Meets on Wednesday 4th April 2022 between 4.00 pm and 6.30 pm. Bookings for these will close at 5.00 pm Tuesday 3rd April.
It is hoped that the Parent- Student - Teacher interviews are a three-way conversation between all parties, and that the student is involved in the interview, and has a voice in the conversation to celebrate their successes but also to plan learning goals for the term ahead.
Student Role | Teacher Role | Parent Role |
To plan what they will share and discuss regarding their strengths and achievements and goals. To demonstrate what they know at the conference. To answer questions at the conference. To help make plans for achieving goals. To reflect on the conference and use it in future learning. | To plan what they will share and discuss the child’s strengths, achievements, and areas for improvement. To facilitate the discussion by supporting the child and parents through questioning and clarifying. To provide honest and constructive feedback. To provide positive feedback and encouragement, and to set goals for future learning. To guide the planning of strategies for supporting the child’s learning at school and at home. To keep notes. To monitor and follow plans. | To read their child’s report before the conference. To find out about their child’s learning and development. To provide positive feedback and encouragement for future learning. To help make plans for supporting their child’s learning at home. |
Learning is a marathon, not a sprint!
Students have begun the year at a good pace, they have set themselves achievable goals and are working towards them with confidence and enthusiasm. However, as the supporters on the sidelines, we need to remind them that their learning journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Finding the motivation that continues to carry students through the year, that matters long-term and that means that they sustain the habit of learning, consistently, week by week, year by year will ensure the marathon continues and students do not run out of steam.
As parents you can support and guide your children along their journey by using the following strategies:
- Implementing a study timetable
- Helping your child with homework and/or revision each evening (chip away at this little by little)
- Providing a balanced diet and ensuring adequate sleep
- Creating a welcoming study environment
- Talk to your child/ren about what they did at school
- Encourage attendance at Mathematics Help
- Remove phones and other devices during times of study.
Students need to remember if we try to go too fast, they will run out of gas. An uphill run may require a lot from us, but even with this immediate challenge, we have to keep some energy, patience, and passion in reserve for the next leg of the race to come. If you feel you need further support in this marathon, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s Homeroom Teacher, or make a time at the upcoming Parent-Teacher-Student interviews
Year 10, 11 and 12 Study Skills Seminars
Last week our Year 10, 11, and 12 students have had presentations from Elevate Education on study skills, goal setting, and memory mnemonics as tools they can access to achieve their personal best. Here are some of the comments from our students.
- The speakers were engaging and spoke effectively.
- I learned how to write notes and to use trigger words to shorten my notes.
- The most important thing I learned was to do practices tests and review my notes more often.
- I learned about believing in myself and working towards short and long-term goals.
- I enjoyed the session on goal setting and learning about how to work towards achieving my goals.
- The most important thing I got out of the session was about belief and using goals to motivate yourself.
- Smaller short-term goals are the key to achieving your bigger ones.
- The most important thing was learning the importance of belief and psychological strategies to succeed.
- I learned some tips for focusing on studying.
- I learned memory techniques and motivation tips.
NAPLAN Tests
Congratulations to all Year 7 and 9 students on starting their NAPLAN tests, I was extremely impressed at the way most students have conducted themselves so far during this testing period. NAPLAN Testing continues next week.
NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process – it does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance. NAPLAN also provides schools, education authorities and governments with information about how education programs are working and whether students are achieving important educational outcomes in literacy and numeracy.
Elevate Education Parent Webinar Seminars
Elevate Education are continuing to provide parents of Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional Student College exclusive access to their Parent Webinar Series for Term 1, 2023.
To reserve your spot, you can register for free below,
Wednesday 29th MarchHow to Help Improve Your Child's Memory
Click here to register for free
Here's what Elevate will be covering on the night:
✅ How memory actually works (and how it has nothing to do with brain capacity)
✅ The most effective environments to assist in memorisation
✅ 3 techniques you can implement overnight to improve revision
The webinars are run live online from 6.30 pm – 7.30 pm (AEST) where the presenter will share Elevates key research and skills, and will conduct a live Q&A so you can ask them questions directly. If you are unable to make the webinar, don't worry! If you sign up to attend, you'll receive the webinar recording on Thursday morning.
Should you have questions or would like to contact Elevate directly, their details are listed below.📞 1300 667 945
✉️ auscoaching@elevateeducation.com