Director of Pedagogy and Innovation

Welcome back to Term 2!

Another busy term has begun and our Year 7s recently returned from their camp. This camp was a wonderful opportunity for our Year 7 girls to get to know each other and to bond as a year level. We thank our VET Sport and Recreation and VCAL girls for supporting the Year 7s during their time in Phillip Island, and to all the staff who assisted in organising and running the camp.

Congratulations to the Unit 3 and 4 Theatre Studies class on their recent production of Picnic at Hanging Rock. I was most impressed at the talents of the class and their ability to memorise their lines. I particularly liked the staging and how the audience seating changed after intermission. Thank you to Mr Godbold for preparing the students for this exceptional performance.

As we move towards authorisation to deliver the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP), on Tuesday 23 April staff participated in a professional learning day focusing on inquiry learning and the Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills. At the College we are blessed to have a committed staff who are working in teams to develop exciting units of work following the MYP framework.

From Wednesday 1 May to Friday 3 May I was fortunate to attend the Nagle Education Alliance of Australia (NEAA) Conference in Brisbane. I attended a range of workshops over the three days focusing on faith and charism, education and wellbeing. It is a real privilege to be able to attend professional learning held interstate, and I learnt so much from the different sessions I attended and I look forward to sharing what I learnt with staff.

Congratulations Ella Monaghan from the Class of 2018

The annual Inner Eastern Local Learning and Employment (IELLEN) Awards celebrates the achievements of young people, education providers, employers and community organisations within the Local Government Areas of Stonnington, Port Phillip and Boroondara. The awards ceremony was held on Thursday 16 May. Congratulations to Ella for receiving the 2018 VCE Student Award for her outstanding commitment, attitude and achievement in the completion of her VCE Certificate. Well done Ella!

Year 10 Pathways Program

Thank you to Ms Sayner and Ms Wimhurst for organising this valuable experience for our students. I hope the different sessions that were organised during the week provided our students with many opportunities to reflect on their future.

Years 10 to 12 Exam Dates

The dates for Semester 1 exams are:

A reminder that attendance at all exams is compulsory and you will be required to present a medical certificate should you be absent for an exam.

The General Achievement Test (GAT) for students undertaking a Unit 3/4 subject will be held on Wednesday 12 June. In the next edition of the Lantern I will provide further information on the GAT.

Tips for Exam Preparation

It is important to keep in mind the following as you prepare for your exams:

• Be organised and prepare early rather than later. The more organised you are will assist in achieving success in your exams.
• Prepare a study plan and routine. Make sure you have given yourself enough time to study for the exam. Studying in small blocks of time on a regular basis is more effective than revising once a week for a subject.
• Organise a study space away from distractions (turn off your phone and the tv)
• Take regular breaks to recharge
• Study with a group of friends if that works for you, but make sure you remain focused
• Complete practice exams if available
• Actively seek feedback from your teachers when there is something you still need to clarify
• If you catch public transport to or from school, make use of that time to review your notes or cue cards
• Using online sites such as Quizlet might be useful for creating flashcards
• Approach your studies with a growth mindset. We know there are times for all of us when we face challenges, but if we approach things with a growth mindset then we are more likely to succeed.

Nathan Lane

Director of Pedagogy and Innovation