Dear Parents, Students and Friends 

It is with much anticipation that we await opening night of our College Musical, Strictly Ballroom on Tuesday 22 June (Week 10). I have thoroughly enjoyed watching a weekend rehearsal and I can assure you our audiences across the three performance evenings will not be disappointed. It is filled with such humour…plenty of laughs for the whole family! Please purchase your tickets via Qkr this week or at the front office at the College. Strictly Ballroom is not to be missed!

On Wednesday, our College community came together for the final whole school assembly for Semester One. I was particularly impressed by the leadership and conduct of our students as they engaged with important information. Our newsletter this week highlights some of the content areas covered to give families an insight into the learning shaping our students.

Ongoing learning for our students and staff is a priority at the College. As staff model themselves as life-long learners, we aim to inspire and empower our students to do the same and to be more.

How to get our minds working effectively for learning…
Mrs Drewsen presented tips on great study habits. She drew information from an article by Daniel Wong that focuses on several tips for effective study. She spoke to three of these ideas at the assembly as these tips are NOT always on the usual lists when thinking of the best ways to be effective learners. 

Habit #5 from Daniel Wong: Take three deep breaths before each study session

What’s the one thing that comes to you so naturally, you don’t even think about it?

Breathing.

We each take about 20,000 breaths a day, so you’d think we’d be pretty good at it. But did you know that there are better ways to breathe than others?

And guess who breathes the best? Babies.

As babies, we all take deep, relaxing breaths. These breaths push the oxygen around our bodies and into our brains, helping us to concentrate better.

But as we get older, we take shorter, faster breaths. As a result, we have trouble staying alert.

There are plenty of ways to breathe more deeply, but here’s one method you can try before you start each study session:

Close your eyes and breathe in through your nose for four seconds

Exhale through your mouth for four seconds

Repeat three times

Tip: Try this just before you go to bed as well. It will help you sleep better.

Habit #10: Get at least eight hours of sleep every night

We all know that a good night’s sleep makes us more alert and energised the next day.

But did you know that it also improves your memory and makes you a better student?

In fact, getting eight hours of sleep before an exam is more effective than staying up late, trying to cram all the information in. The best way to make sure you get eight hours of good quality sleep is to go to bed at the same time each night. (Set an alarm to remind you, if necessary.)

Read a chapter of a book, but don’t read it on your phone or tablet. This is because the light from such screens makes it difficult for the brain to wind down and inhibits melatonin production. In addition, turn off phones and other electronic devices that may disturb you during the night.

The whole school staff is currently focused on the workings of the brain and engaging the memory in the most effective way possible. Sleep is crucial. We should all aim for a minimum of 8 hours. Make it a goal as much as any other goal you set related to school.

Habit #16: Ask your teachers for help at least once a week

Ask teachers for help. Your teachers are there to help you succeed. Don’t be afraid to reach out to them. 

Our tip for all students is to get brave and ASK - ask why? how? what if? It is possible?  Be curious.  Inhabit that curious 4 year old who is just desperate to understand the world around them.  Make a commitment to ask one genuine, truly curious question each day. Let’s make our classrooms full of questions that come from us all - students and teachers alike.

CONGRATULATIONS to Carroll College Band SINGLED OUT… winners of this year’s Currents Live Music Event held at Riverside Park in Moruya.

We welcomed Zoe Morgan and Emily Dannock from the Eurobodalla Shire Council to our College Assembly last Wednesday. We are thrilled to be the first school to receive the golden trophy for best school band in the Eurobodalla. Congratulations to Bree Mealy, Kobi Briggs and Luke Shooks from Carroll College, and former students Riley Maher and Isaac Gorzalka. Singled Out have won the opportunity to professionally record their third single at Sounds Like Studio in Ulladulla. Outstanding achievement!

Blessings on your home and family.

Jacqueline Heffernan
Principal