NAPLAN

Week 3 was exceptionally busy with Year 7 and 9 students completing NAPLAN. I was very impressed with the way students applied themselves and their preparedness and organisation was fantastic. Very simply, we asked the students to do their best work.

Exams

Some Half Yearly Examinations are scheduled in the hall during Week 6, others will be conducted in class. Students will be given a timetable during mentor group this week. We continue to encourage students to give their best effort in all assessments. Again, making sure students are demonstrating their real ability on the day is very important. Teachers spend time analysing results and making adjustments, so it is important that we are looking at the true ‘snapshot’ of a student at that moment in time.

Please make sure students attend all examinations with the correct equipment and follow the instructions on their published timetable. These will be distributed via Mentor Groups this week. Copies will also be available on the school website. It is very important that all students who have genuinely unavoidable absence follow the procedures outlined below and include the required documentation.

Exam Procedures for Students Include:

· Please be prepared with appropriate equipment needed for each exam: paper, pens, pencils, eraser, ruler, tissues and any other specific items as notified by your teacher.

· Mobile phones devices and smart watches are not to be brought into the hall – leave them in your bag which will be locked in the foyer.

· If you wear a watch into the hall, it must be removed from your wrist and placed on the desk in full view.

· If you bring in a pencil case or clear water bottle, it must be placed on the floor.

· Go to the toilet before an exam.

Appropriate behaviour is expected:

· Follow teacher instructions

· Do not speak to other students

· Sit quietly when you have finished the exam, you are not allowed to leave early.

· Respect other students’ right to complete their exam without disturbance.

If you are unwell, a phone call to school or email to rmaxworthy@mccarthy.nsw.edu.au from your parent is required before the start of the examination and a medical certificate MUST be presented on your return. Your medical certificate must be attached to a blue ‘Application for Extension of or Special Consideration for an Assessment Task'. These are available from the office. Please forward this completed application to Mrs Maxworthy by handing it into the office staff.

Mrs Raelene Maxworthy - Teaching and Learning Coordinator

TAS

Safety Reminder in Technology Classes

We need your help in keeping your child safe. As you know, our students wear their PDHPE uniforms on the days they are required to participate in a practical PE lesson. Unfortunately, sports shoes are not appropriate or safe footwear to work in the timber, food or agricultural areas. As a result, your child must bring their leather school shoes with them on the days when they have a practical lesson in both Technology and PDHPE. We cannot allow the students to work in unsafe footwear due to WHS laws which means they will be completing alternate theory work. Please help us to ensure your child’s safety by reminding them to follow these procedures.

Mrs Suzanne Day - TAS Coordinator

PDHPE

Year 8 Jump Rope for Heart

All Year 8 students will be participating in our annual Jump Rope for Heart program during periods 3 - 6 on Wednesday 24 May.

The unit of work aims to raise awareness of the importance of physical activity through skipping as well as the role of a nutritious diet in maintaining good health.

Another important aspect of the program is to raise funds for the National Heart Foundation and all Year 8 students should have received an official sponsorship brochure from their PDHPE teacher.

Fiona Coote (an ex Rosary College student) was in attendance at the "Jump Off Day" last year and reinforced the message of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and supporting the work of the National Heart Foundation. Fiona's heart transplant in 1984 was the catalyst for the initiative of Jump Rope at Rosary College the same year.

I ask all Year 8 students and families to embrace this wonderful opportunity at the College.

Mr Ian McKenzie - PDHPE Coordinator

Around McCarthy