SECONDARY NEWS
From the Assistant Principal
SRC Elections
The SRC election for 2018 took place today. As the GRIP Leadership Conference is on next week the decision was made to select the core group earlier so that all the 2018 SRC members could attend the informative and inspiring GRIP sessions in Tamworth.
Later in the term the process will continue and the elected students will make a presentation to staff and their Year 9 peers before a vote is held for 2018 School Captains. The School Captains for 2018 will then be announced later in the term.
Semester Exams
Students are reminded that semester exams will be held in Week 5 for Year 10 and in Week 6 for Years 7 - 9. In order for students to achieve their best possible results it is necessary to prepare adequately for these important assessments. Students are encouraged to revise thoroughly in the coming weeks and to seek assistance from their teachers if required. It is essential that students catch up on missed work if they have been absent from school.
Exam Timetables
Students have received their exam timetables. Please encourage your child to prepare adequately for the rapidly approaching assessments. It is expected that students will make an effort to catch up on work missed through absences. If they need assistance it is advisable to contact their teacher.
Last Minute Study
What do you do if you have left your study to the last minute?
In an ideal world it would be great if all students paid attention, focused and participated in all classes, completed all homework and assessments thoroughly, asked for help throughout the year on anything they didn’t understand, made regular summaries of the work covered in class (preferably at the end of each topic or section) and did their best to learn as they go throughout the year.
But in reality, this doesn’t always happen for every student and every subject.
So what can you do if you have left your study for tests and exams to the last minute?
5 TIPS FOR LAST MINUTE STUDY
FIND OUT FAST: Be very clear what you need to learn and what will be tested. It is impossible to start your study until you are sure what you have to know. Find out as much as you can too about the exam format and the style of questions. Don’t be afraid to ask your teacher. For each subject write a list of exactly what topics and areas you need to review.
GATHER MATERIALS: Do you have notes, materials, textbooks on everything you need to learn? If not, is there a friend who will let you photocopy the work you have misplaced? Is there an online portal where material from classes is stored? Can you borrow from the library additional books or textbooks on the topics you need to learn? Are past examination papers available?
MAKE A PLAN: You only have limited time left so you need to make the most of it. Draw up a grid that shows how much time you have left before your exams to study. Decide if you will spend equal time on each subject or if certain subjects need more time. Allocate subjects to the timeslots you have then decide exactly what you will do to prepare for each subject. For each subject make a list of what sort of study you should do to prepare for that subject. Brainstorm your ideas on how to prepare, ask your parents and teachers for feedback and share ideas with your friends.
CREATE STUDY NOTES: Target your notes to what will be tested. It is best for learning and memory to make your study notes yourself, but if you have run out of time there are options. See if any of your class materials or textbooks have summarised the sections you need, see if there are study guides available in the library on the topics to learn or make targeted notes yourself on the key areas you have to memorise. You could also see if there is a friend where you could split the topics between yourself and share the notes you make. Don’t spend too long on this stage, it needs to be completed as quickly as possible.
STUDY! What does study actually mean? It means memorising the material you need to know so you can recall it in the exams, and practising the skills of the subject so you know how to do the types of questions you will have in the exam. To memorise your notes you need to test yourself over and over on them. You could read a section, see what you can write down without looking then check. Then review the things you didn’t know again. Or you could do the same approach reading things out loud then seeing what you can repeat out loud. Doing questions, practise essays, past exam questions will also help you understand what you know, and what you need to spend more time on.
The key is to get started. No more procrastination, no more excuses. Start today!
Sun Safety
The weather has been heating up rapidly and students are reminded that they should have a hat for all outside activities. Sunscreen is also available for Sport, PDHPE and other outside lessons, however, best protection is provided with the combined use of a hat and sunscreen. School caps are available from the Uniform Shop. Please ensure that your child has the correct school uniform cap or hat.
Speaking 4 the Planet
Holy Trinity students participated in the Speaking 4 the Planet competition for the first time. Speaking 4 the Planet (S4P) is a public speaking and drama competition for high school students. S4P supports World Environment Day (5 June) and uses the UN’s World Environment Day theme as the focal point for speeches and performances.
There were three parts to this competition and prizes for each part. A prepared speech where one student from each school delivered a five minute speech on a topic linked to the WED theme, an impromptu speech where one student from each participating school delivered a three minute impromptu talk on a topic provided on the day and finally an impromptu Eco-drama where students from each school performed a short piece (3 – 5 mins) that expressed a point of view on the UN’s theme.
The students acquitted themselves admirably and gained valuable experience for future years. The team consisted of Bella O'Brien, Oscar Rainger, Hannah Huynh and Ella Taylor. Thanks to Mrs Watchirs for accompanying the students on the day.
LLI Information Session and Morning Tea
The Leveled Literacy Intervention Team have invited the parents of our Year 8 and 9 LLI students to an informal information session and morning tea at school on Thursday 2 November between 9.00 - 9.50am in the Secondary STEM room. This will offer parents the opportunity to discuss the programme, have a look at the resources we are currently using and participate in a reading session with your child and tutor. The students’ commitment to this program is to be commended and they would love to share their reading progress with you. Notes have been distributed and should have been returned to your child's tutor.