The Life Issue #4, 2021

St Philip’s Christian College Newcastle

The Life A Community Magazine

ISSUE #4 AUGUST 2021

SPCC Newcastle Community Magazine Issue #4

Assessment & Reporting Update The McCrindle Report (May 2021) reveals the top trends impacting the future of education. This report provided an understanding of the latest trends impacting the future of education, which prompts educational leaders to reflect on their practice, to ensure that engagement with today’s learners is achieved in a way that empowers them to flourish in every area of their lives.

This infographic summarises the report’s findings on the future of education, providing much food for thought. Some of the key insights gleaned from this report include: 1. Parents want regular communication from their child’s school, including information about their child’s progress and opportunities that are available.

For this reason, SPCC Newcastle has introduced Progressive Assessment and Reporting (PAR), for students in Years 5 – 12, so that parents can gain updated and detailed information about their child’s academic progress, at any time. Using the mySPCC iLearn platform, feedback is provided on summative tasks as well as regular updating of achievement levels.

Progressive Assessment on iLearn Individual feedback, including assessment results, delivered in realtime using the MySPCC iLearn platform, focused on the development of learning habits and the progression of learning.

Student Academic Transcript Formal end-of-year achievement summary containing final results and grades for courses studied and a comment written by the Homeroom teacher.

SPCC

Whole of Life

EDUCATION

Parent / Teacher / Student Discussions Mid-course interviews aimed at strengthening learning partnerships; focused on student attitudes to learning and their social and emotional development.

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2. With rising mental health challenges for our young people, parents view the partnership between home and school, for managing their child’s wellbeing, as significant, with an increasing need for wellbeing support from the school.

In 2021, in response to this need, the College employed a psychologist for 4 days per week, to support our chaplaincy and counselling team.

Also, part of our Strategic Plan, for 2021-2024, is the development of an updated K-12 Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Framework. The aim of this framework is to ensure that every child is known, and is connected to a significant adult, with whom they have regular and positive interactions. There is a need for our students to develop as human beings to cope and manage the changes of this fast-paced world.

In so doing, life balance cannot be left to chance. The framework will support the education of the whole person, for the whole of their life, by encouraging and supporting the necessary life skills to develop and maintain strong social emotional learning capabilities in order to build and support quality relationships.

The framework will also address the challenges of social media and online communication, which can increase mental health challenges for young people, adding to the stress they experience each day.

The SPCC Whole of Life Framework Believing in God

Connecting to Others

Thinking for Life

Creating for Good

Taking Responsibility

Knowing God

Collaborating

Questioning

Wondering

Persevering

Knowing Self

Communicating

Making Links

Imagining

Being Resilient

Acting Justly

Empathising

Discovering

Investigating

Capitalising

Showing Kindness

Listening

Distilling

Innovating

Managing Distractions

Living Humbly

Seeking Feedback

Reasoning (with Evidence)

Taking Considered Risks

Developing SelfDiscipline

3. Whole of life education is essential In the most recent research, 87% of parents agree that there is a greater need for the school to provide an holistic education, than when they were students. This increasing need for whole of life education has been on our radar at SPCC Newcastle, with the SPCC Whole of Life Framework being prioritised. The dispositions in this framework, based on the research of Professor Guy Claxton and also Art Costa, when developed and strengthened, increase a student’s capacity to thrive and flourish, not only in school, but for the whole of their life.

4. Parents value the educational partnership Parents view the educational partnership as a shared partnership, particularly in the areas of discussing social issues, developing social skills and ensuring academic development. Through Student/Parent/ Teacher Discussions, Progressive Assessment and Reporting, mySPCC, PTF gatherings, Information evenings and other key events, parents can stay connected and work with the College towards a preferred future for their children.

Pam O’Dea Principal

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SPCC Newcastle Community Magazine Issue #4

HSC SmartTrack At St Philip’s Christian College, we know that every student is unique, with individual gifts, talents and goals. This means the traditional “one size fits all” approach to learning is not always the most effective way to support students as they complete their HSC. In response to this, St Philip’s Christian College Newcastle has developed HSC SmartTrack, a program that provides Year 11 and 12 students with a unique way of achieving the HSC, whilst also effectively preparing them to confidently enter life beyond school. In only its second year, HSC SmartTrack is already gaining the attention and recognition of educators from around the nation as one of the most innovative and relevant approaches to senior secondary education in Australia.

HSC SmartTrack is about doing “school differently”.

It enables students to

undertake their HSC course in a manner best suited to their individual learning style, effectively preparing them for their future. HSC SmartTrack focuses on goal setting, collaboration, projectbased

learning and 21st century

employability skills, while introducing students

to

an

adult

learning

environment. Students enjoy flexible learning times, an alternative school uniform, increased choice and voice in their learning, and time allocated for Vocational qualifications and on the job training, accelerating them towards their goals for the future.

During their learning time in the classroom, students are supported by their HSC SmartTrack teacher, as well as a team of HSC SmartTrack coaches. This teams works closely alongside students to support them as they work towards their goals and pursue their passions.

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SPCC Newcastle Community Magazine Issue #4

In the HSC SmartTrack program, students undertake 3 core HSC Courses, English, Mathematics and Work Studies, delivered as integrated learning through practical real-life projects, and are not required to sit any HSC examinations. The remainder of the pattern of study is made up of Vocational courses that will provide students with nationally recognised qualifications.

These

qualifications

equip

students to enter the workforce, and create opportunities to complete further study at university.

As part of the final component of their pattern of study, students spend one day per week working in a relevant industry.

Students

gain invaluable work experience and build a resume of workplace achievements. They apply the employability skills that they learn in HSC SmartTrack in a real workplace, and use the feedback of their employers and coaches to develop skills, collaborating and communicating in an industry setting.

HSC SmartTrack accelerates students towards their goals for the future. Whether they are pursuing further study at University, TAFE, entering the workforce, or commencing a trade, HSC SmartTrack provides students with the skills, qualifications and experience they need to step into their future with confidence, optimism and expertise.

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SPCC Newcastle Community Magazine Issue #4

Year 9 Marine Studies Excursion

In Marine Studies, we have been exploring and investigating the rocky intertidal zones. As part of this unit, we had the opportunity to visit the North Bar Beach rock shelf. Leading up to this excursion, we have learnt several skills in class that we could apply whilst at the rock shelf. The ability to calculate the number of organisms found in each zone; the low, mid and high zones. At the beach, my friends and I enjoyed looking at different species in rock pools and taking photos of organisms we found. In the low zone, one of the organisms we found was an octopus, and we were fascinated by how it was drawn to the attention of our photography. Overall, this topic has been enjoyable especially being able to go outside the classroom during Marine Studies lessons, and I can’t wait to go back to the rock shelf.

Hosanna Gray

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SPCC Newcastle Community Magazine Issue #4

The Rocky Shores excursion was a great time to explore the different types of animals and environments that make up a rock shelf and was a great time outside in the fresh air.

The class was researching and studying the different creatures and intertidal zones (different regions that exist upon the rocky shores) that exist around our local region.

We were doing this to create a better understanding of the biodiversity on a rocky shelf in Newcastle. I really enjoyed this experience because it involved getting out onto the tidal shelves of Newcastle and studying the different species that coincide there.

Hamish Donald

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SPCC Newcastle Community Magazine Issue #4

K-12 Beanie Fundraiser Day In Week 10 of Term 2, the College held a K-12 Beanie Fundraiser for Kindergarten student Quinn Turnbull which raised over $4000.

Thank

you

to

everyone

in

our

College

community who supported the fundraiser by wearing a beanie, bringing cash or donating to the gofundme account.

The Junior School gathered for a group photo and were thrilled when Quinn arrived and was able to join in. We are all praying for her recovery and return to good health.

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SPCC Newcastle Community Magazine Issue #4

100 Days of Kindergarten!

On Wednesday, 28th July, Kindergarten students celebrated “100 Days Of School!” Students and teachers had lots of fun dressing up as 100 year old grannies and grandpas. Never has a Kindergarten classroom seen so many grey hairs, spectacles and walking sticks. Kinder students created a 100 days of school crown and necklace, counted to 100 using stickers, and undertook the 100 cup tower challenge. By the end of the day, everyone was definitely ready for their nanna nap. A special thank you to all the parents who made an incredible effort in creating fantastic outfits for their children. What a great way to celebrate the start of their SPCC school adventure.

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SPCC Newcastle Community Magazine Issue #4

K-2 Athletics Carnival

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High School Musical

Our Senior School production of ‘High School Musical’ was a triumphant success all the way until the conclusion of our season, which was disappointingly cut short with COVID-19 restrictions suddenly preventing us from performing our final show.

Having worked with SPCC musicals for over 20 years, I can honestly say I have never been prouder of a such a supportive and caring group of students who rallied together to ensure the last few minutes at the theatre together, were meaningful and memorable.

But the show was a tremendous success! Over 6000 people were still able to come and see our highly energetic and colourful production with positive reviews from right across the community. We set out to bring JOY to our audience and it appears we did just that. With over 120 students involved on and off stage, the theatre came alive with the iconic Disney anthems such as ‘We’re all in this Together” which was truly reflected in our musical team.

Congratulations to everyone involved in bringing HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL to the Civic Theatre stage in 2021!

Mr Cooper Director of Performing Arts

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SPCC Newcastle Community Magazine Issue #4

High School Musical

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SPCC Newcastle Community Magazine Issue #4

High School Musical

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SPCC Newcastle Community Magazine Issue #4

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Evel intio cum re quia quidese perferu ptaspit eseque qui.

St Philip’s Christian College, Newcastle 57 High Street WARATAH NSW 2298 Ph: +61 2 4960 6600 Fax: +61 2 4960 6690 Email: newcastle@spcc.nsw.edu.au

Leaders in Whole of Life Education