Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching
Dear Parents and Carers, Staff and Students,
Thank you to all families for the support and understanding you gave the College in the opening 3 weeks of the term. Our Year 7 students are settling in well to their new environment, making new friends and adjusting to the changes from primary school. The Uniform shop is getting through some back-orders; we have new furniture in many of our rooms to enhance our learning spaces, and we have already implemented many school events. Don't forget to follow the school on social media to keep abreast of some of our amazing opportunities in real time.
Staff
Several teachers are returning from leave and filling full-time positions as the school expands. I would also like to welcome our new staff members to McAuley who you can read all about in this Newsletter in the article entitled "New Staff 2024".
High Achiever’s Assembly
In week two, we celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2023 at our annual High Achiever’s Assembly.
Students who achieved results in the highest band in a subject were acknowledged as Distinguished Achievers and presented with medallions to celebrate these outstanding results. We also acknowledged students on other HSC achievement lists, including All Round Achievers, Top Achievers in Course, and our College Dux Mayha Mead Davies.
In acknowledging these academic achievements, we also acknowledge our students for consistently aspiring to succeed in all areas of their lives. As our 2023 graduates take their next steps in life, we will continue to pray for them and wish them every success on their journey.
It was great to have Mayha Mead Davies, Stella Van Leest, Kaylee Adamson, Mika Collard, Seth Webster, Eli Honeyman, Jace Gilbert, and Fallon Smith from the class of 2023 speak to some of our current students about their study pathways and best ways to achieve personal goals.
Chrome Books Year 7
The Chromebook rollout for our year 7 students occurred last Friday. While this can be an exciting time for students, for many, it will be their first personal device, and parents must discuss computer safety to ensure their online experiences are safe and enjoyable.
The school has sent out our computer policy, but I want to stress the following:
- Internet Safety: Ensure your child understands the importance of staying safe online. Talk to them about not sharing personal information online and not communicating with people they don't know. Encourage them to report any suspicious activity to you or a trusted adult.
- Social Media: Discuss the use of social media and the risks associated with it. Ensure your child understands it can be difficult to remove once something is posted online.
- Cyberbullying: Cyberbullying can be a serious issue and has become more prevalent with the use of technology. Encourage your child to speak to a trusted adult if they feel bullied, and discuss the importance of treating others with kindness and respect.
- Time Management: Discuss the importance of managing time online and encourage your child to take breaks and engage in other activities.
- Storing and Charging the device: Many parents set parameters around where and when the device can be used in the family home. This would be a good time to promote the charging of the Chrome book in a central space and perhaps leave the child’s packed school bag near the Powerpoint so they remember to pack the Chrome book for school in the morning. Students are not to bring their chargers to school. We have a limited supply of chargers in the library where students can bring their device and charge them at lunchtime. However, this is not to be a regular occurrence.
Working together can help ensure that their online experiences are positive and safe.
PAT Testing Year 7
The Progressive Achievement Tests are used at McAuley Catholic College to measure learning in various domains, such as reading, science, and maths. The reading tests occurred today in Year 7 classes.
NAPLAN 2024 Year 7 and Year 9
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point-in-time assessment of literacy and numeracy skills. Each year, students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in tests for writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.
NAPLAN will occur from Wednesday 13th March to Wednesday 20th March. The tests will support teachers in understanding the learning needs of their students and planning accordingly. Students must realise that the tests are used for this purpose and to take the tests seriously.
NAPLAN tests are just one part of our school learning assessment program, and questions are primarily based on knowledge, understanding and skills gained from the prior year of schooling.
In preparation for NAPLAN 2024, Students and parents can access the public demonstration site below.
Some of the student’s classes will also use the following material to show the students the styles of questions they may be asked.
Di McGowan
Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching