DEPUTY PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Teaching, Learning and Innovation

Milestones, Beginnings and One Easy Way to Improve Your Child’s Learning

Congratulations to the International Baccalaureate 

It is a historic week for the College as the first cohort of Year 12 students completed their International Baccalaureate (IB) Examinations. After an eventful two years (quite the euphemism there), these students and their teachers not only rose to the challenge of the rigour of the IB, but the complexities and uncertainty of COVID-19. Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) projects were readied, then redesigned and reformulated as rules and regulations ebbed and flowed around them. Lockdowns and altered examinations only further served to make things that much more challenging in what is always a challenge for our graduates. To this cohort I say ‘well done’! We remain way too close to events to be able to ascertain the upsides of this period in history, but I nevertheless believe our students have emerged as resilient and ready for the world as ever before. 

Good Luck to the Higher School Certificate

And as the IB Examinations end, so the Higher School Certificate (HSC) begins. These students have navigated precisely the same travails as the IB crew, with examinations moved to a much later timetable than ever before. Whilst historically they would have been complete by now and sunning themselves at various locations, it has only just begun for these students. On behalf of the College I wish them all the very best as they take on the equally rigorous and challenging HSC. I know they will do their upmost to uphold the College tradition of academic excellence and striving to reach their potential.

Parental Communication with Students 

As you are aware, the College made the decision in 2020 to not allow mobile phones into classrooms unless at the discretion of the teacher. I am proud of the students and their parents who embraced this idea, recognising that the disruptive influence of technology can seriously inhibit teaching and learning. A slightly different issue has arisen more recently with the use of other message platforms that can used on devices to communicate. It is very difficult for teachers when these communications are emanating from parents, and I would ask that contact with your child be kept to recess and lunch when students are able to use their phones or devices if they see fit. In this way we can all stay focused on the job at hand, avoiding unnecessary distractions. 

The Learning Continues

A gentle reminder to parents that students are expected to attend the college up until the last day of term, which is Wednesday the 8th of December. This is a requirement of the NSW government and NESA. Whilst the last days can involve class parties and end of year celebration, the core message to teachers is that we keep learning up until our last day and we ask that you embrace that philosophy. 

As always, if you would like to talk teaching and learning and your child, please do not hesitate to contact me at the College. Anthony.Heffer@trac.nsw.edu.au

Anthony Heffer | Deputy Principal - Teaching, Learning and Innovation