Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

I am delighted that we will be returning to face to face learning on Monday 13 September for Week 10 of Term 3, under Level 3 restrictions. All students will be expected back for face-to-face learning on-site from Monday where they will resume timetabled classes. We are mindful that students are all at different stages with the work that had been set during blended learning. Thus teachers will use the week to work with students to clarify misunderstandings and support them with their learning. We believe that this time will be invaluable in re-establishing relationships and reconnecting as a class and school community and we cant wait to see our students again! 

We have a lot to be proud of regarding the things that have still happened during the lockdown.  McAuley College spirit has shone over the last two weeks and there is much to celebrate since our last newsletter. Our homerooms immersed themselves in online Book Week (week 8), striving to gain house points and completing some amazing activities created by our Librarian, Mr Bellamy. We then continued into week 9 with Literacy Week competitions implemented by the Literacy Coach Ms Jansons. Two very worthy celebrations as we all want our children to become life-long learners, and this happens most readily through regular reading and writing.

It was also lovely to see school spirit promoted with some moving moments of affirmation for our Year 12 students as they came to the College to collect a care package from Mr Bellamy and Ms Thomson in a COVID safe drive through! I am sure the students appreciate the work behind the scenes getting all of the items together. 

Congratulations to the Year 12 students who have submitted major works over the last two weeks. These students consistently dedicated time to the continuous refinement of some amazing projects that are now packed up ready for marking. Congratulations also to the music students who have now completed the performance component of the HSC exam. Ms Nicholls and Mr Conaghan did an exceptional job of navigating the NESA requirements for the performance to ensure that our students were not disadvantaged. Our students still had the opportunity to proceed with works that they had been practising all year (with some slight changes due to the restrictions now in place from NSW Health). 

By now our Year 12 students have received feedback on their Trial examinations. Assuming we stay under level 3 restrictions we aim to support year 12 students maintain momentum in this time of uncertainty. We will partake in Face to Face lessons for the remainder of this term and during normal school time weeks 1 - 4 of next term. An important point to keep in mind with the postponement of the HSC is that more time is an opportunity for greater improvement.  We understand that right of passage opportunities are also important and will endeavour to ensure where possible these still occur.  The new HSC timetable was released on Friday 9/9 and students can find their individual timetables via their student online account. 

Year 11 students are also showing their flexibility as they venture into new experiences. This week has had students finalising their assessments and exams online, marking the end of the preliminary courses. On all accounts, similar to our year 12 experience, the year 11's have risen to the challenge. Again, there is a lot of work behind the scenes for these changes to run so seamlessly. Many thanks to the Curriculum Coordinator Mrs Lee, Mr Ellis the Year 11 Coordinator, Leaders of Learning and year 11 teachers who implemented assessment changes responding to student needs.  

At this time, it is common for some year 11 students to reconsider their subject selections and determine what subjects they are intending to carry into the HSC year. There will be documentation sent out next week regarding confirmation of subjects for the Higher School Certificate credential. 

We have continually monitored the engagement of students in their learning over the last four weeks and may spend some time in classes next week revisiting work set during the lockdown to ensure that all students are up to date. At the end of week 10, the term 3 OPAL report will be sent to parents. The report has been adapted to suit the blended learning environment and teachers will be using this opportunity to acknowledge the work and effort that students have demonstrated with online learning.