Last week we completed testing of all Year 7-10 students in PAT-R and PAT-M online tests. The data from these tests will be used as a bench mark for our students. These tests are designed to measure learning over a period of time, so the testing will be replicated later in the year and then evaluated by Catholic Education to ensure that we are adequately meeting student needs.

This week we ran a practice online NAPLAN test for the students in Years 7&9. I am pleased to report that the testing went very well, without the many glitches that occurred last year. If you are wishing to exempt your child from sitting the NAPLAN tests next term, the school must receive your written notice before May 3. Please complete the attached paperwork and return ASAP.

I would like to thank all the students who co-operated during these testing windows.

Year 12 students will be receiving their mid-year reports next week. This is a valuable time to assess their approach to their studies. If their reports are pleasing and they have worked hard to get good results in assessment tasks and class based tasks, then they are probably on the right track. If their reports highlight areas needing improvement, then they should change their approach. Year 12 students should be doing between 2 and 3 hours of homework and study each night if they expect to do well in their HSC, after all, they are in competition with the other 65,000 students in NSW! This time each evening is not just for completing homework or assessment tasks, but for going over class notes, summarising them, linking new information to previous notes, drawing mind maps, labelling diagrams, making dot point summaries, etc.etc. The more study they do along the way, the easier it will be as the Trial exams and HSC exams approach. 

As the term draws to a close, there are still many assessment tasks that will need to be completed. Please ensure your child is still chipping away at them and getting them in by the due date.

Wishing you all a great break over the coming holidays.

John O’Neill

Assistant Principal - Curriculum and Achievement