• A greater emphasis on developing the literacy and numeracy skills of all students
• Using data to better understand where our students are at to support them in their learning
• Continuing to differentiate our teaching approaches to better support students in the classroom
• Continued collaboration amongst staff to support individual and class learning

If you have any questions regarding the learning needs of your child then your first point of call will generally be an email or phone call to the relevant classroom teacher. You can also contact the appropriate LoL or the Curriculum office at any time to discuss other matters should the need arise.

Assessment Manuals

All students have been emailed a copy of the 2022 Assessment Manual for their relevant year group. Students and their parents/carers are encouraged to take the time to review these documents so as to be aware of the requirements around formal assessment. This is particularly important in Yrs 10-12 where students are working towards their RoSA/HSC and must meet the NESA requirements regarding assessment to obtain these credentials.

Home Study

Home study is an important process for all students from Yrs 7-12. Home study is different to completing homework/assessments as it is a way to refine and enhance knowledge of concepts covered in class. All students should be allocating time to home study as part of their weekly schedules, this is particularly important for younger students to help make this process part of their regular routine. To support students we have provided them access to the Study Samurai online study and wellbeing package. This is a useful first step to help understand and prepare to include home study into their schedules.

In the next newsletter we will provide an outline of which subjects will be having half yearly exams this semester so you are aware of which subjects students should be preparing for

Subject Selection

The window for changing electives in stage 5 and Yr 11 is now closed. Students are locked into these subjects for the remainder of the year. Yr 11 students may have the opportunity to review the level of English &/or Maths they are doing half way through the year. Yr 11 students generally are able to drop a subject from their pattern of study at the end of the Yr 11 course at the start of term 4.

Student Emails

We are aware that students are not checking their school email accounts regularly. In some cases students have thousands of unopened emails in their school email inbox. As you would be aware email is an important means to communicate with both individuals and large groups in a modern society. At a school level not only is it important that students regularly check their 

Year 7 

Best Start (Week 6)

Next week all Yr 7 students will undertake the Best Start assessment package. Best Start Year 7 is a literacy and numeracy assessment package for schools to use in the first five weeks of Year 7. It is designed to:

• provide teachers with consistent and up-to-date information about new students' skills and abilities in literacy and numeracy
• identify students at risk of falling behind
• help inform targeted teaching and intervention strategies.

At this stage the tests will be held on Monday 28/2/21 (Reading) and Tuesday 1/3/21 (Numeracy). Students will complete these exams during set classes. Both tests are completed online using the students digital device (Ipad or laptop). To ensure students can successfully complete each test they will need to  bring headphones to school (to listen to any stimulus material that may be included as part of the test) as well as ensuring they bring the device they use to school, fully charged on the day of each test. It is compulsory for all students to undertake each test. Students absent on the day will complete the tests when they return to school.

NAPLAN

Naplan is fast approaching for our Yr7 and Yr9 students. To help your child through this process you may wish to consider accessing the online Naplan Public Demonstration Website. On this page you will find links to the various tests for each year group. It is highly recommended that students take the time to access these practice tests (usually only 10-20 questions / test) as it provides an opportunity to access and familiarise themselves with the online platform and types of questions used for each test. This helps to reduce a lot of anxiety on the day of the tests and supports students in their performance as they know how to access the resources provided such as the calculator, ruler, protractor etc.

More detail regarding Naplan will be provided to students as well as parents/carers in coming weeks.

Mr Brett Moran

Leader of Learning Curriculum