Deputy Principal, Teaching and Learning
Last week the Teaching Staff at The Hamilton and Alexander College started the term working with Bronwyn Ryrie Jones, a career teacher and teacher educator who draws on cognitive science to develop highly explicit and responsive principles of instruction. The Junior and Senior Teaching Staff explored the notion of Responsive Teaching which involves:
- Setting clear goals and planning learning carefully
- Identifying what students have understood and where they are struggling
- Responding, adapting our teaching to support students to do better.
On any given day, teaching and learning is incredibly rich, challenging and complex. Our teachers, who are specialists in their subject strive to craft lessons that enable each child to succeed. Teaching is dynamic. What we are learning is that being responsive in the classroom improves relationships. An awareness of what our students need and being able to meet these needs specifically is vital. The partnership between students, teachers and parents/guardians underpins all that we do at the College.
We look forward to working with you in Term Two, as students in Years 3,5,7 and 9 sit NAPLAN testing in Week 4 and Year 7-11 students have Mid-Year Examinations in Week 7.
Susan Bradbeer
Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning
National Youth Science Forum (NYSF)
The NYSF Year 12 Program is one of the best-known science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) experiences in Australia for young people. It has helped over 12,000 + alumni realise life-long STEM literacy.
In 2022, the NYSF will deliver a 12-day program from 10-25 January via a combination of in-person and digital STEM experiences. 2022 participants will experience everything the NYSF is famous for, including keynote speakers, lectures, hands-on workshops, debates, expos and enriching social activities. In-person STEM visit days and events will be held over a week of the program at major city hubs across the country, enabling students to meet each other and network with like-minded peers. A continuous program of digital events will run alongside the in-person events meaning the program is accessible to all. This option also means the NYSF experience is still accessible and stimulating should there be a COVID-19 hotspot emerge or lockdown called at a hub location.
Students currently studying in Year 11 are eligible to apply via www.nysf.edu.au
Applications close 2 July 2021.
International Science School Online
Between Monday 5 July and Friday 9 July, 120 students from across Australia will participate in an online ISS experience, where they will hear inspiring talks from leading scientists, take virtual tours of cutting-edge research labs, partake in mind-expanding activities, and forge new friendships with science-inspired students across Australia.
There is an online application system for all Australian students, through which they submit all their details, their recent school academic results, a letter of reference from their principal/head science teacher or equivalent, and a short personal statement outlining why they feel they should be selected. Once the applications close on 7th May, 2021, ISS will collate all the applications for each state and forward them to the selection panels.
For more information please visit the website.
Mrs Rebekah Bonnett
Head of Science and Head of VCE Studies