Year 9/10

Year 9 and 10 Assistant Principals News

Lisa Monaghan 

WELCOME & THANK YOU 

What a whirlwind it has been already to start 2019!! The 8 weeks that we’ve had already has flown. I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome all of our new families, many of whom have now had the chance to settle in quite seamlessly. Our school has had a lot of enrolments, not just throughout middle school, but across all year levels, that has kept us very busy starting off this year.

In Years 9 & 10, we had our information night in Week 7. Thank you to those families that came along, to get more of an understanding of what will be happening in your child’s year level throughout the year, mainly in regards to City Experience, camps and Work Experience. To start this year off, it’s pleasing to see so many students enthralling themselves in their electives and studies overall. Our uniform has become noticeably sharper, as our students demonstrate pride for our CESC brand and attempt to uphold it in a high regard.

Although middle school has had a relatively smooth start, it’s a timely reminder for students and parents, that when difficulties arise, to use strategies encouraged and also to approach staff.  Parents/guardians, please encourage your child to approach their Year Level Leaders or another adult at school, before a situation increases. When there’s general concerns, or minor ones, students should seek out their Home Group (HG) teacher as their first point of call. This is the same protocol that we expect for parents too (contact your child’s HG teacher).

SWIMMING CARNIVAL & CITY EXPERIENCE 

We’ve recently had our annual Swimming Carnival- where it was impressive to witness the talent and effort made by students. Last week we’ve had our Year 9’s go out on their first City Experience to the Courthouse and be a witness to actual cases presented to the courts, which ties in well to their Legal unit in Humanities.  The challenge of real life learning for students incorporated using a Myki card to get onto the train to navigate around the city, during this day.

YEAR 10 WORK EXPERIENCE 

For Year 10 families that missed the information session, if you’re unaware, your child has their Work Experience coming up, very early next term. Quite a few forms that confirm your child’s work experience placement are yet be returned. They are overdue, please ensure your child has called the company they are interested in completing experience at, as we need these finalised ASAP.  

Have a safe break over the upcoming holidays.                                                                                                                                                                                                   

NAPLAN Tests going 'online' - Year 9 2019

As many students and parents would know, Year 9 is a 'NAPLAN' year. The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students is held in May each year. NAPLAN tests assess student knowledge and skills in Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and Numeracy. The results of the tests provide information for students, parents, teachers and principals which can be used to improve student achievement.

In 2018, the NAPLAN tests began transitioning from a paper based test to an online assessment (i.e., students complete the tests utilising a computer or tablet). NAPLAN Online delivers numerous benefits including:

• a ‘tailored test’ design that adapts to correct and incorrect student responses providing a more precise understanding of student achievement;
• innovative use of technology, including a more engaging test design and a wider range of item types;
• the extension of the ‘test window’ to two weeks, allowing schools greater opportunity to schedule the tests at times that suit them best and increasing student participation.

In 2019, our students will sit the NAPLAN online tests. However, children in some other schools across Australia will sit the NAPLAN paper tests this year. Federal, state and territory education ministers have agreed that all schools will move online by 2020. State and territory education authorities have determined when their schools move online.

As students are assessed on the same literacy and numeracy curriculum content, regardless of whether they complete the test online or on paper, results for both formats can be reported on the same NAPLAN assessment scale.

To find out more about NAPLAN Online, visit http://www.nap.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/naplan-online-information-brochure-for-parents-and-carers.pdf?sfvrsn=2