Principal’s Report

THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS ARE AROUND THE CORNER….
The youngest members of our school community have completed six months of secondary school! Fantastic achievement!
Feedback from the Junior School team is that all students have forged friendships, acquaintances and a real awareness of the work that is required to do well and flourish in a secondary environment. No one asks students to do more than their personal best and Emerald Secondary College has high expectations, with its teaching and learning offerings and its extracurricular programs, to challenge all our students to achieve their personal best.
Reports will be posted on Compass this week for all parents to peruse and this is an important part of the learning journey – focus on learning growth. Whilst all the tasks are on Compass, with continuous feedback throughout the semester, the reports will provide an overview of values and attitudes to learning – important aspects of the development of the whole student.
As I pen this newsletter, the Year 9 cohort are at City Experience, familiarising themselves with everything our fine city has to offer, that includes landmarks and visitations, culminating in an amazing race! Thanks to the Year Level Engagement team for organising this learning opportunity for our students and to all the staff that have attended.
Our Year 9s, 10s and 11s have just completed their mid semester exams – for some students, their first time…what a fantastic learning experience for them.
They are to be congratulated for the way they took on the challenge of the occasion, their exemplary behaviour throughout and their attention to being in the right place at the right time!
Thank you to all our staff for preparing the exams, and, of course, the marking and assessment. Students need to be invested in this process too – it’s not just another ‘assessment task’, but an opportunity to reflect on the nuanced skills of exam preparation:
How well did I prepare?
Did I take notes?
Did I answer all the questions?
How was my time management?
The feedback process will allow students to seek clarification from their teachers and an opportunity to reflect on their own learner disposition.
Most of the Year 10s are involved in Work Experience this week and a taste of adult working life – good luck to all our students and thanks to the Careers’ team who worked so tirelessly in organising placements.
SENIOR SCHOOL
The impending break allows all to recharge and hit the ground running for the next term….revitalised, refreshed and rejuvenated. Putting aside the lame alliteration, the two week break can also be a trap for some of our senior school students, especially those undertaking Year 12. I can hear some of the commentary now:
- ‘I’m going to sleep till midday!’
- ‘I’m going to shop until I drop!’
- ‘I’m going to do as many shifts as I can to save for schoolies!’
- ‘I’m doing Netflix, footy and focaccias!’
In fact, there are a plethora of activities that our senior students will have time for, and this is to be encouraged, but the advice is based around not forgetting one’s studies and maintaining a routine.
Research has shown that the body and the brain enjoy the consistency of pattern. Thus, the advice from many experts, including Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, is to keep those waking and sleeping hours almost the same.
At a minimum, students must undertake to do at least three hours of homework per day, during the term break. Please assist your sons/daughters in this area by gently asking them about their plans and perhaps assisting them with their organisational health. As such, the noble pursuits listed above will be able to be fulfilled without guilt or regret.
EARLY FINISH ON FRIDAY
Next Friday, the last day of term, will be an early finish – this information has already been posted on Compass.
If you’re going away, please take care and we’ll see you next term.
The first day back for Term 3 is Monday, July 10th, with all classes commencing at that time.
James Barut – College Principal