We have welcomed several new students into Secondary School this year across most year levels and it is wonderful to see them all settling in well and becoming integral parts of our school community.
As we approach the end of the term, students need to ensure that they remain focused and capitalise on their hard work in their assignments and examinations. Progress reports will be sent out at the end of this term and we are looking forward to discussing students' progress with parents in the weeks ahead. Teachers have been working hard to remain focused on student outcomes and ensure we are supporting students in achieving their best.
Years 11 and 12
Year 11 and 12 students have begun working on their SET plans and we have been reviewing QCE progress data to make sure that they are in suitable classes and working towards successfully achieving their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). We hope to maintain our impressive record in this area with careful monitoring of student success and sound subject and career advice.
After one term, students on subject contracts need to seriously consider their initial choices if they continue to have difficulty in certain subject areas. Parental support in monitoring students鈥 approach to learning is very much appreciated and we are looking forward to seeing students satisfying their contract period successfully for Term 1.
Academic Pastoral Care staff are experienced and well placed to offer students and families good advice and alternatives to current subject pathways if significant difficulties are being experienced.
Study Skills, Learner Types, Learning Environments, and QCE Scenarios will be some of the topics covered in Pastoral Care to support their studies this semester.
Year 10
Year 10 students are now registered with Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) and are set to start accumulating credits toward their QCE. The Academic Pastoral Care team is working through the initializing of SET (Secondary Education & Training) Plans and students have been asked to share their current strengths, career ambitions, and interests with peers, teachers, and parents at home to begin the process of transition towards senior subject selection, further study, and employment.
Years 7 - 9
Years 7 - 9 are settling into meeting their new teachers, classrooms, and routines after the extended summer holiday and we are seeing some solid peer support from our vertical home groups.
NAPLAN testing through the new online platform has been seamlessly delivered this term. It was fantastic to see the growing student confidence in the new format achieved through practice sessions and excellent student participation. The organisation and IT support behind the scenes to make this happen were impressive.
I would like to encourage all parents to consider factors at home to support a good study environment, promote sufficient sleep, encourage a balanced approach to exercise and diet, and manage excessive use of social media & gaming.
Uniform Reminder
麻豆果冻传媒 College is proud of its image in the community and an important part of this continues to be our uniform. I am very pleased to see that the students are taking pride in our appearance this year and I would like to say thank you for all the parental support of our policy. Apart from student safety, the image we project in our community has many positive benefits both at school and in the wider community.
Term 2 requires Secondary students to wear a tie, so a timely bedroom tidy might be in order over the Easter break to locate any missing items. This is a reminder that students are only allowed piercings in the lower lobe (plain metal stud or sleeper), facial piercings are not allowed. Parents and students are reminded to review the College and clarify any questions with staff before decisions are made that are in breach of this. Parental support with this is essential and very much appreciated so that we can continue to deliver a quality education whilst being consistent with our expectations of all students.
Students considering any appearance changes through the holidays need to be aware that any haircuts, coloring, and piercings need to fall within our acceptable standards - please check this against the College . Any unhealed piercing will need to be removed at the start of Term 2 and any coloring corrected to a natural tone.
Have a relaxing Easter break, keep safe, and God Bless.
Kind regards,
Peter Cummings
Director of Secondary School