College Newsletter Issue 3 / 13 August 2016
From the Principal Changes to Year 12 Assessment 2018 Education in Queensland is in an exciting phase of transition, as we prepare for a new regime of senior assessment and tertiary entrance. The revised system, under which Year 11 students in 2018 will operate, is marked by three significant changes: 1. A balance of school-based internal assessment and common external tests in each subject 2. New processes of quality control and comparability in school-based assessment 3. The introduction of the ATAR in place of the OP for tertiary entrance purposes St Andrews has been actively preparing for this change for some 18 months now. Staff have had input into the development of various subject syllabus, with some being involved in trialling assessment tasks. Through their involvement our teachers are provided with important insights into how we most effectively design curriculum experiences that culminate in this style of assessment. Heads of Department are about to start reviewing our Teaching Learning Framework ‘Dimensions of Learning’ and auditing its alignment with the Robert Marzano authored New Taxonomy of Educational Objectives, which will underpin all of the revised subject syllabuses the QCAA develops. Ensuring teachers and students have a clear line of sight, from subject content and knowledge, through the pedagogy of our classrooms and into the thinking challenges required by assessment, is our unwavering academic focus. The magnitude of the changes, while significant, is not cause for alarm or concern. Curriculum and its enactment through teaching and learning must, like the successful institutions and businesses of the 21st century, be adaptable and agile if it is to be successful and sustainable. St Andrews commitment to ‘Empowering Lifelong Learners’ through the provision of a broad liberal education has never been more timely. J Block Reconstruction I’m delighted to be able to share with the College Community the plans for J Block as we begin the reconstruction. The fire in J Block has presented the College with a unique opportunity to redesign and enhance certain aspects of those learning spaces to better suit the needs of our students. For example, the Music and PAT Rooms have been reconfigured to provide a stronger focus on the composition and performance of music. The Dance room has been enlarged to take
Dance to an even higher level at the College. The Business Studies learning spaces have been redesigned to enable greater collaboration, innovation, creativity and problemsolving - mirroring what happens in industry and what businesses in the 21st century are looking for in employees. The Theatre too will be transformed with a tiering of the seating and an enlargement of the stage, making it a truly magical facility. The plans for the rebuild of J Block are exciting, and we look forward to different sections being completed and being able to be used as we move forward. To view a copy of the architect’s concept plans please click on the link: www.salc.qld.edu.au/community/latest-news/j-block-rebuild/
Some people have asked if those responsible for the fire in J Block have been apprehended. At this stage no arrests have been made and it is still a matter of an ongoing Police Investigation. We are grateful to the Police for their continued diligence in this matter. A reminder of our community Trivia Night to be held in the MPH on Saturday 20 August in aid of the reconstruction of J Block. Fittingly it is an Olympic Theme. Tickets can be purchased through the College Website. Business Studies at St Andrews Education needs are forever changing and during my years as an educator I have seen a growing need and hence emphasis being placed on business studies. The necessity for young people to have some grasp of business and financial management is essential to their security and livelihood once they leave St Andrews. Some will go on to be leaders in, or be employed by, public and private companies, run their own businesses, or engage in some other profession or career. Increasingly many will start their own businesses (‘Start Ups’). At St Andrews we offer a range of business electives in the Middle School (e.g. ‘Going into Business’ and ‘Money Smart Kids’) and Senior Schools (e.g. Accounting, Business Organisation Management and Legal Studies). The College, through its partnership with Griffith University also provides access to the Business Faculty at Griffith and a range of study opportunities to students whilst still at the College. Providing students with a solid business education is crucial, and that