FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

YEAR 12

It’s been lovely to see some students back at school this week in the optional study classes. Hopefully, students have developed and are implementing a study plan as the exams are not too far away. 

A reminder that many Trial exams can be collected from the Front Office and students will need to return all books and textbooks by their last exam. They should check with the library for a list of books owed and if at school next week they can collect any from classrooms and return unneeded books.  

Dates to remember:

• The HSC exams start November 9. 
• The ATAR’s will be released January 20 and the HSC results January 24. 

YEAR 11

Well done Year 11 on completing your exams. It’s great that we were able to run these as the experience of the exam is vital so students can identify which skills they need to work on. 

Students will start receiving feedback from tomorrow onwards and need to ask themselves two important questions:

• Why did I do well?
• What would I do differently next time?

Feedback is an important step in improvement so it is vital that students not just hear what is said but really listen to what they need to do to improve for next time (and the next exams are the HSC Trials). 

Tomorrow we start the transition into Year 12 and students will be given information about how to change their programs of study. However, they must remain in their Compass class until the change appears which will start in Week 4. 

YEARS 7-10

I have been trying to catch up with Year 10 students about their Year 11 subjects – there has been a list on Compass but I am yet to see many students. I need to confirm their Maths and English classes for Year 11 but if they don't see me I will add them to the class that has been recommended by their teachers.

It is still possible to change electives so students should come and see me during breaks.

FROM THE DIRECTOR OF STUDIES

This week might have felt longer than normal for many students. For 7-10, this week has been the first 5-day school week since our region went into lockdown in August. The struggle is real! An article in the Conversation gives adults five ideas to help children adjust to school after lockdown. 

The 5 ideas are: 

• renegotiate routines, 
• allow time for adjustment,
• acknowledge children's worries, 
• coach empathy
• be optimistic. 

I hope this encourages you and helps you to support your children.

SHARON HIBBERT  IAN MERGARD 

Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning Director of Studies