Classroom Learning at GSC In Term 1
2024 has so far been abundant with learning opportunities for our students, both new and returning.
As we approach the end of Term 1, Year 7s have settled into the secondary school routines of moving from class to class on time, getting prepared at their lockers for double lessons, taking responsibility for wearing their uniform correctly and bringing their Ready to Learn equipment to school. All of these aspects of day-to-day school life assist students in being able to engage in the learning opportunities presented in each and every lesson, and we encourage families to converse with their children at home about the importance of being ready to make the most of learning every day.
Year 8s and 9s have continued to build on the habits established in previous years, and have moved into new and exciting aspects of their secondary years that include new electives and the Connect program. Discussions have already begun about what academic choices the coming years will hold.
Assessments and Testing
Term 1 has been relatively demanding of students in the area of assessment with both PAT and NAPLAN being undertaken. Although this has been hard work for students to start the year with, it means that we will have valuable learning data to assist teachers in individualising work to students point-of-need and to allow us to measure student growth and achievement.
Individual NAPLAN results will be available for families in the second half of the year, with national results to be published in Term 3.
In addition to these broad tests around literacy and numeracy, students have also commenced the first assessment week of 2024. Common Assessment Tasks are being undertaken across subjects, where students complete work to show their learning growth throughout Unit 1. Early in Term 2, parents can expect feedback that measures student growth against their Pre and Milestone Assessment tasks, as well as individual comments that direct students to their strengths and areas for improvement in the unit’s learning.
What parents can do to support your child’s learning
- Support being Ready to Learn for the day and week by encouraging organisation of bags and books, charging of laptops and dressing in the correct uniform at home.
- Engage in school resources such as Compass Lesson Plans and News so that you are aware of and can discuss with your child what’s happening at school.
- Encourage discussion of various assessments and other learning tasks at home to build student confidence in approaching a range of high and low stakes tasks.
In the last weeks of term, we have looked forward to extra curricular activities such as Harmony Day and our Thrive Days which teach and celebrate inclusion and emotional intelligence.
Harmony Day – 21st March celebrates the country’s cultural diversity. It coincides with the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Students have been invited to attend school in their traditional cultural dress. This could be cultural costumes or colours symbolizing their culture background. Further, in Term 3, there will be several opportunities for students to celebrate and enhance their knowledge of different cultures.
Attendance at school and in every class is crucial for maximising learning. It is not okay to be away unless there is an illness that prevents attendance. Missing even one day a fortnight means that a student misses 25 hours a term, which is 100 hours a year of valuable teaching and learning. This disadvantages the student now, but also means that if this habit continues into VCE the student will not be eligible to pass. We are committed to working with our students and families to improve attendance levels, which in turn will improve learning outcomes for those students. Students with less than 80% attendance will be asked to attend a meeting with parents to implement an Attendance Support Plan and may also be required to attend Redemption Days at the end of Term.
Equally of concern is the number of students getting to class late. There are several consequences of lateness. Firstly, and most importantly, it means the student misses the explicit instruction component of the lesson and so often will feel a little lost when they enter the class. It also means that the class and teacher are disrupted and arriving late establishes poor habits that disadvantage learning opportunities. A regular pattern of lateness will result in the YLL team issuing a Redemption/Detention.
Redemption Day is Thursday March 28. Any student who has not completed their CAT will be required to attend school on this day to complete the assessment. All other students will be doing a Remote Learning Day, while staff plan and write Year 10 curriculum.
Finally, thank you to parents and carers for the unwavering support of your child through Term 1. We know when families and schools work together, that the educational outcome for students is better. We wish you all a restful break and look forward to continuing working with you in Term 2.
