Head of Secondary School
We Commenced Term 3 with a Focus on Goal Setting and Positive Habit Formation
It was wonderful to welcome students and staff back to the Senior Campus this week for the start of Term 3. Tuesday commenced with Coaching Conversations with Tutors for all students in Yr 7 to 12. Using data from the Semester 1 Report and iGrow, students were asked to engage with the ‘Stand Out – Freak Out – Sort Out’ process in order to articulate goals and required habits for Semester 2. I was pleased to be able to share with students in the welcome back assemblies later that day some of the powerful goals set by students in their year group, such as….
To improve my English and Science results by expanding my responses with show don’t tell. (Yr 7)
I want to see growth in English, Maths, Geography and History. I will be more consistent with sticking to the study schedule that I make for myself so that I can achieve my personal best. (Yr 8)
I would like to focus on building better personal habits. I will continue making sure I get enough sleep and cut screen time down to 30 minutes a day. (Yr 9)
I would like to focus on discipline in my academic schedule and work ethic as an area that I would like to improve in. I will set up googlesheet study schedule that has designated study times to support me. (Yr 10)
I will commit to studying at least 2 hours a night with the focus on parts of subjects I don’t enjoy. (Yr 11)
Academically, I would like to focus on my French and Physics. I will practise 1-2 hours of French every day and improve my Physics by focusing on questions I find more challenging instead of opting for the easier ones that I find more fun. Personally, I also want to reduce the reliance on my phone. (Yr 12)
A sincere thank you to all tutors and members of the pastoral team for facilitating our students to engage in this important exercise at the start of a new semester.
During our assemblies on Tuesday I provided students with the following updates:
Study Centre
- Changes to how students use the Study Centre, which includes wishing to use it more for personal or group study in addition to subject-specific help, surfaced from recent student consultation sessions
- Based on student recommendations, there will be some changes for Term 3
- There have been requests for different types of study spaces from students so we will move to a three space structure:
- Silent Study
- Collaborative small group
- Subject Specific Support
- Study Centre will run Monday to Thursday and be closed on Friday. On Friday students are expected to go home from school at 3.20pm unless otherwise invited to remain behind to work with a teacher or involved in a specific activity, such as Debating.
- For Yr 7 to 11, Study Centre will now take place on Level 2 of the Learning Hub, and for Yr 12, Study Centre will take place on Level 3 of the Learning Hub.
- Students are strongly encouraged to use Study Centre and lean into using it as a supportive resource to manage learning and develop or deepen study skills.
- This new SC approach will commence in Week 2.
Mobile Phones
Students in Yr 7 to 10 will be required to leave their mobile phone in their locker during the school day and will not be permitted to carry their phone on their person in the classroom or playground. Based on observations from staff, students and parents, our Yr 7 to 10 students need a dedicated opportunity to re-set after the holidays. If a teacher or tutor requires a student or class to use their phone for a specific learning objective or as a dedicated learning tool, then they will notify students and provide time for them to visit their locker to collect and return it.
Not having a phone in the classroom is an opportunity for students to re-set, to cement some good habits for the new semester, to take a break from the constancy of social media ‘notifications’ and to really focus on the learning in each and every lesson. After all, this is their job – to come to school and learn, and it’s our job to create the right environment, the right context, for the students to learn and flourish. We know students will navigate this personal responsibility well.
If a student needs to make contact with home, they should do this via the Student Services Centre.
Some students may need to purchase a lock for their locker, so as to safely house their phone. They were given until Wednesday to arrange this and have been positively meeting this expectation.
Trial Examinations
Our Yr 12 students sit their Trial Examinations in Week 3 and 4 this term. They have spent their ‘holiday’ preparing and whilst tired and a bit overwhelmed, have more ‘in the tank’ than they think they do. They returned to HSC Drama Group Performance exams, English assessments and final speaking orals on Tuesday and have IB Theatre, Music, Visual Arts, Chemistry and Economics to complete before the Trials. It’s always a time of academic discomfort for Yr 12 students – this is a typical experience and they have a wealth of resources, including teachers and tutors, to support them along the way. We are really proud of their efforts so far.
Gala Arts
We look forward to this annual event tomorrow night at The Concourse Chatswood. Students and staff are busily preparing today and tomorrow and we hope to see you there in celebration of our students’ talents and passions. There are a few tickets left which can be booked via the QR code in the flyer above.
Gala Arts Program
Ms Gemma Van de Peer
Head of Secondary School
gvandepeer@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9811