Head of Secondary School
A Peek Inside the Classroom… Maths
This term I have asked teachers to invite me to their lessons to witness some of the “wow” moments that occur in their classrooms. So, over this term, I will be visiting classes in each subject area and will be giving little “peeks inside the classroom” in my Note Day pieces. This week I will write about my Maths lesson.
Last Friday I had the great pleasure of visiting Dr Chircu’s Yr 8 Maths lesson. Students were studying Geometry (specifically triangles and algebraic expressions for angles in parallel lines) before moving on to ‘challenge’ questions. It was great to see students confident and comfortable to share their thinking in the class and to see that they were encouraged to find new and different ways of solving problems – a different approach to my Maths lessons back in middle and high school! Thank you Dr Chircu and Yr 8 students for this peek inside your classroom.
Reports and Feedback
Over these last few weeks of Term 2, students across all Year Groups will be receiving reports and updates on their progress to date. This feedback is a valuable opportunity for students to reflect on their learning to date, acknowledge strategies which are leading to success, honestly evaluate areas for improvement and develop strategies and goals for the remainder of the year. It is important that students have a growth mindset and not a fixed mindset when reflecting on their results to date. The fixed mindset students only look at the final mark; blame reasons outside of their control for any disappointing results; reflect on the results as an indication that they are either ‘good’ or ‘bad’ at a specific subject or discipline; and see a ‘fail’ as ‘final’. On the other hand, the growth mindset students pay more attention to the feedback than the mark and use any constructive criticism for future development; reflect on changing things within their control which might lead to future improvement; reflect on the result as an indication of where they are ‘now’ as a student, trusting that with focused effort and different approaches to learning, they can improve further; and see a ‘fail’ as a ‘First Attempt In Learning’. We want to continue to develop growth mindsets in our students as we firmly believe this approach will lead to success in the years to come.
Senior Music Festival
Last Friday evening, I, along with many other staff, students and parents, were treated to a wonderful night of music at our Senior Music Festival. The musicianship on display was of the absolute highest quality, but even more impressive to me was the pure joy of music-making which the students shared with the audience throughout the evening. Congratulations to all performers and crew for a great night and a huge thank you to all of the Music staff, Music tutors and parents who made the night such a success.
Leadership
Last week’s assembly focused on leadership as Yr 11 students begin the application process for school-wide leadership positions for next year. During the assembly our School Captains, Chloe and Josiah, as well as our Deputy Principal, Ms McGarry, shared their insightful reflections on leadership. The following day I spoke to the Yr 11 students about leadership and shared with them some of my thoughts. I emphasised the values of servant leadership, where all of us have an opportunity to be servant leaders by putting others before ourselves and doing our part for the betterment of the larger community. As American author Maya Angelou stated, “A leader sees greatness in other people. He or she cannot be much of a leader is all she sees is herself”.
Pink Sock Day
Last Saturday was a wonderful day of sports, service and spirit as the School community joined together for the Redlands@Home Charity Sports Round. The Macquarie University sports fields were awash with pink on a glorious morning as staff, students and parents worked in partnership to raise over $6,000 for Breast Cancer Network Australia. A huge thank you to the many staff, student and parent volunteers who made the day such a success.
Term 3/4 Departure Notice
As we are approaching the mid-point of the year, this is a reminder that those families who are planning on leaving the School during or at the end of Term 3 or Term 4 are required to give notice to the Principal via an email to registrar@redlands.nsw.edu.au by the following dates:
- Term 3 Departures: Friday 21 June
- Term 4 Departures: Saturday 27 July
As per our Conditions of Enrolment emailed to all families in December last year with the 2018 Schedule of Fees, there will be fees in lieu payable for any notices of departure received after the relevant date.
Mr Sean Corcoran
Head of Secondary School
scorcoran@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9870