Curriculum News
Students are now well into the study of their courses. There have been many changes made by students as they settle into courses they feel are more suitable. The time for these changes is now over and students are required to remain in their current courses for the rest of the year.
Students in Years 7 and 9 will be undertaking Practice NAPLAN online tests in the coming weeks. These practice tests are designed to give the students a taste of how the online tests work so that they are familiar with the process before the actual tests. Please talk with your child about how they participate in these practice tests and the actual tests. Staff use the data from NAPLAN to plan how best to teach your child, so it is important that the data is a true reflection of their ability. Parents can withdraw their child from the NAPLAN tests if they have a diagnosed learning difficulty by completing the attached document and returning it to the school. If your child requires adjustments, please complete the Disability provisions form attached.
Parent-teacher interviews will be held in Weeks 7 and 8 on Thursday 12th and Tuesday 17th March. Please make every effort to attend at least one of these nights, and encourage your child to attend with you. When the teacher, parents and student work in partnership, student learning is maximised.
New students to the College this year, other than those from St Bernard’s and St Mary’s, will be completing some diagnostic testing, called Progressive Achievement Tests, in both Reading and Maths. (Abbreviated to PAT-R and PAT-M tests). The data from these tests give staff a snapshot of your child’s ability in these areas and helps the teachers plan appropriate classwork. It also allows the College to track your child's progress over the Year 7 – 10 school years. It is important that your child participates to the best of their ability in these tests so that we gain an accurate picture of their ability. Please speak with your child about these tests and remind them to give it their best.
Next week's activities will give students a small break from the normal day to day classwork. Hopefully, they will return refreshed and eager to get back into it.
John O’Neill
Assistant Principal
Curriculum and Achievement