With only two more weeks of school left for the year for our students, it is important that they are working hard to prepare for exams. How students prepare for their final assessment will vary from student to student. What is important is that they know when their assessment is due and are in some form of preparation for exams or finalising any written assignments.
From a teaching perspective, we talk a lot about evidence-based practice. This form of practice challenges us to set success criteria when we are planning how we will teach a particular unit...
With only two more weeks of school left for the year for our students, it is important that they are working hard to prepare for exams. How students prepare for their final assessment will vary from student to student. What is important is that they know when their assessment is due and are in some form of preparation for exams or finalising any written assignments.
From a teaching perspective, we talk a lot about evidence-based practice. This form of practice challenges us to set success criteria when we are planning how we will teach a particular unit or lesson etc. The purpose being that there is no sense teaching a particular way if it is not meeting the intended purpose or at least it allows the teacher to be aware of any practices that may need to be changed.
The same concept should be considered by students when they study. This is particularly important to develop as they get older. Our young men need to move past the thought that study and preparation is boring or is not relevant to them. What we are trying to encourage in them is an understanding of how they best learn. If they can understand this, then preparing for assessments will be so much easier and more engaging. I would encourage all parents and caregivers to spend some time with their son(s) over this weekend to discuss what assessment they have due over the last two weeks, where each young man is up to with any assignment work and what study plans are in place for exams. Also discuss what actions have been taken in the past and whether they produced better outcomes than before. If there has not been improvement, it is time to reconsider what preparations are needed.
To do this, it is important that each student set their own success criteria. Once again, this will differ from student to student. As parents or caregivers, you will have a good idea of what success might look like for your son. It is important that you have a discussion with him to reach this decision. This will allow him to set targets over this short period of time. Once the year is finished and you both receive the reports, you can review the outcomes based around these targets. This will then set a standard and process for the beginning of next year and so on. The types of conversations and targets and success criteria will no doubt be different according to ages and stages in learning as well as other external factors that also should be considered within the success criteria. I believe this to be an excellent way for parents or caregivers to work with (rather than against) their son(s) in developing their learning growth over time.
Last Monday, we held our farewell assembly for the Senior students. It was a very memorable and emotional experience. There were quite a few teary eyes from students, parents and staff as the young men walked through the student guard of honour. It is also a final time for big brothers and little brothers to say their goodbyes. As always, the students showed our Senior students the respect that they deserve for the service that they have given to them and the rest of the community over this year.
The staff and students wore Hawaiian gear today as a part of our farewell to Mr Kev Van der Weide. Kevin has been well known for his flowery shirts that he wears on Fridays. As mentioned in my previous article, Kevin will retire from many years of teaching and service to this community. The students will also make a gold coin donation which will be given to ovarian cancer research. This also has great significance to Kevin.
I attended the final AIC Principal’s Meeting yesterday. During the meeting, we were given updated information from the University of Queensland regarding the AIC Sport Review. They have received significant feedback from the school communities and have commenced to categorise the data into priority areas. We were given the list of these areas yesterday. It is envisaged that their report will be ready in draft by the end of the first term next year and some actions will start to be organised. It is still the intention of the college principals to have the changes implemented from 2019. In some instances, the changes might be introduced in stages. I will present the current information to the St Patrick’s Sports Support Group.
Mr Jim Mann retires from his employment at St Patrick’s today. Jim has been a part of our school since 2002 in the Property and Maintenance Team. His support, leadership and personality will be missed by the student and staff bodies. Thank you, Jim, for all that you have done for us.
Much has been said over the past months around funding for Catholic schools around Australia. In the past weeks, we received guarantees about Federal and State funding for 2018 and have completed our budget around these figures. Our budget also relies on accurate student enrolment information. I am very pleased to advise the community that we have once again been able to keep our fee increase to 3.6% as we were also able to do last year. Mr Liam Casey has forwarded a letter explaining this to all our current and future parents and caregivers.
I would also request that families who will be leaving the College next year to please let Mrs Stacey Bishop know as soon as possible. Stacey can be contacted through the school office. This will allow us to invite other students to the College in good time for them to get ready with book and uniform requirements etc.
Live Jesus in our Hearts!
60 Park Parade Shorncliffe QLD 4017