From the Head of Curriculum

Ms Victoria Kelleher

Parent-Teacher Interviews Thank you to all parents who took time to speak with our academic staff on Wednesday 31 March. There is no doubt that parents have a massive impact on their child’s educational success. In fact, research shows that parental engagement is crucial for children and young people’s cognitive, social, and emotional development.

If you have any questions following these meetings, please know that you don’t have to wait for another parent-teacher interview to come around to discuss any concerns you have about your child’s social or academic development. Your child’s teacher will be happy to arrange a time to meet and talk about any issues.

Remember, our goal is the same as yours – to help our students, your children, thrive spiritually, academically, socially, and emotionally and develop into well-rounded young adults. Parent-teacher interviews are just one strategy in the partnership with us to achieve that end.

Study Tips While the end of Term One will signal holiday relaxation for some of our students, work will not entirely cease for our Year 11 and 12 students who will start to prepare for the Semester One exams, commencing on 27 May for the Year 12s and 9 June for the Year 11 students.

Examinations can certainly be stressful; however, thinking about them more positively can improve the chances of success. For the Year 12s, it is an opportunity to put their subject knowledge and skills into practice to yield some strong results. For the Year 11s, this first round of examinations is fundamentally an opportunity to learn – to learn what examinations are like and how to prepare and study effectively. Some of this will come in the form of trial and error, but that’s all part of the learning journey. Referring to my last newsletter piece, success in exams is not just about having a high IQ – any student can do well in exams if they study better rather than harder or longer. To achieve success, character is as important as IQ and every student can achieve success with the right mindset, support, and strategy.

To achieve their personal best in school, in every subject, our Year 11 and 12 students should consider the following over the upcoming break: • Start your revision early (earlier than you think you should!) • Get organised - use a study planner, daily timetable, and exam checklist • Do a little bit of study each day rather than cramming • Take a break from one subject by studying another • Schedule in ‘study-free days’ to take a proper break • For each subject, come up with a list of specific topics or skills you need to improve and brainstorm strategies for how to work on each of them; and • Practise, practise, practise! • When you complete practice questions, get feedback as much as possible (writing a practice essay is a good thing to do, but if you don’t know how good it was, you’re not going to be able to improve).

Careers Expo 2021 & VET Expo Perth’s longest-running careers, training and employment expo is back. This year marks their twenty-first anniversary. They are WA’s only careers event that brings together local and some eastern states universities, together with a huge range of vocational and professional training organisations, industry associations and employers. This year’s Careers Expo 2021 + VET Expo is lining up as their best yet - they already have more than 70 exhibitors committed, including all of those that were booked to attend last year’s event. Careers Expo 2021 + VET Expo will be hosted at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (PCEC) between Thursday 29 April and Sunday 2 May 2021. Entry is free.

University Open Days Several West Australian Universities are holding Open Days over the holidays or at the start of Term Two. Visiting an Australian University on one of their student Open Days is the perfect opportunity to get the answers to all the questions you or your child may have about the various degrees, diplomas, programs, study options, departments, student life, accommodation, living costs and much, much, more. An Open Day is a great way for students to get a feel for a place that could become their place of study for the next few years. Communications regarding these will be sent to you and your child via Direqt Message including the date, time, and schedule for the day. Please message me if you have any questions regarding these, or if you would like information on how you can attend.