June 2019

Celebrating Success

As we conclude the term and reflect on the semester’s work, it is important to stop and think on how our students and staff have made significant progress across a number of areas. It is important that we celebrate this success.

I wish to take this opportunity to thank all of you for a fantastic Semester One; it has been wonderful to see parents, staff and students working together to ensure the best possible outcomes for our students. So many of our students have achieved outstanding success across academic, cultural and sporting fields which is a credit to their diligence, hard work and determination and the ongoing support of the adults in their lives.

Academic Excellence and Principal Awards

There are a number of students who continually work well in class and with their peers and their teachers throughout the semester. They have performed well in their studies gaining them Achievement Certificates. Those who have earned a number of outstanding results in three or more units of study gain an Academic Excellence certificate which will be recognised at our annual Awards ceremony at the end of the year.

Students who receive five commendations or more over the semester receive a Principal’s award, which results in them being invited to attend a free excursion.

Exams

All Years 9 to 12 students have completed formal exams recently. The behavior of our students has been good in all these exams and the number of students who are better prepared is continually improving each year. Nearly all students completing Unit 3 VCE have sat the GAT this month. Students used time wisely and stayed on task for the entire time. The results of all exams will be reported to families, in the semester one reports.

Semester One Reports

Following on from the Exam Block, all students from Years 7-12 will receive written reports in the last week of term. Student reports will be available on your student’s Compass portal, and paper copies are available at the office if you prefer a hard copy. These reports provide feedback on student achievement, effort and behaviour across all subjects studied in Semester One.

It is important to take the opportunity to sit down with your child and discuss their report with them when their report is published.

Student Attendance

Please ensure your student is attending school each day so they can perform at their best. Our Year Level Coordinators are continuing to track student attendance each day and are following up with students who are not hitting our 95% attendance target.

Student homework

One of the challenges for students in secondary school is to understand that homework looks different from primary school and that the responsibility for completing out of school work and study remains the responsibility of the student. Therefore, students entering Junior School will notice a change of emphasis from prescribed daily tasks to an increased assignment load and a greater requirement for independent study. The amount of homework set is subject and year specific.

During Years 7-9 in particular, our teachers focus on supporting students to develop a range of skills and strategies to effective in completing homework, assessment and personal study. These include:

• Techniques for summarising and studying knowledge.

• Writing to time limits and on demand.

• Setting learning goals.

• Developing a personal study plan and timetable.

Parents can help their children in the following ways:

• Supporting homework procedures and reinforce the importance of homework.

• Contacting the class teacher as soon as difficulties arise, including if an extension is required.

• Assisting in longer-term time management.

• Checking completed homework tasks.

• Ensuring students have the necessary resources.

• Providing time and an appropriate environment for homework; and

• Assisting their child in making wise decisions in order to maintain a healthy balance between school, home and extracurricular activities.

Study Hall- Homework Club

In discussions with students of the College last year, it was indicated to me that many them wished to have access to the College’s library after hours in order to better support them with their studies.

I would also argue that there are immense benefits of keeping the library open longer as well. Although it would require the College to expend additional resources to do so, cultivating an environment that values intellectual and academic pursuit should be any school’s top priority. And we can work to achieve this by having a library that encourages students to make use of its extended hours and go study.

For some students it is much easier to focus in the library than anywhere else.

Consequently, the College’s library is now available for student use every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of each school week between the hours of 3:15pm until 5:30pm.

To assist students further, teachers of literacy and numeracy will be available during these times to assist all students if they have any difficulties.

I look forward to seeing each and every one of our students using these additional supports throughout the year.

Communication

As we continue to move into the digital age, much of our communication between home and schools now takes an electronic form. You may have received text messages or emails from the schools about your student’s attendance, progress or school events. Please remember to check your email for correspondence from the school, and if you change your details, please let us know. Students should also be checking their school email accounts weekly. Information about career opportunities, job vacancies and special programs and courses are regularly emailed to students for their information and action.

Finally, I wish you all the very best for a happy and safe break and l look forward to working with you all again next semester.

-John Mitsinikos

College Principal

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