Governance and Sustainability
6B. Develop a more integrated community where stakeholders are connected to the College Vision and Mission and actively engage in the role they play.
- To boost parent engagement in the P&F with renewed enthusiasm
- Stakeholder engaged:
- Parents
The Academic team met with the P&F to talk about the study skills program and continuum.
The Academic study program continue to develop with robust emphasis on skills and strategies. The initiative aims to systematically introduce specific techniques that will benefit our students throughout their academic pursuits. The Academic office has concentrated on articulating study and homework standards while ensuring students have the opportunity to seek assistance and comprehend the optimal methods for achieving success. Students continue to receive support in the ARC from Tuesday to Thursday between 3:30 PM and 5:30 PM, where teachers are available to provide guidance.
Year 7
Year 7 completed a Digital Literacy session with the TAS faculty, learning to set up SEQTA accounts, communicate via DMs, emails, and Microsoft Teams, and manage files. In 2025, Dr. Prue Salter will lead an Academic Support evening to set clear standards for parents, students, and teachers, promoting a strong academic culture.
Year 8
The pilot for a Year 8 two-day Superhero Study Workshops are in development. This new initiative is designed to enhance students' study skills, critical thinking abilities, handwriting proficiency, touch typing skills, and research and referencing capabilities.
Year 9/10
Year 9 and 10 students attended one-hour workshops with the Dean of Teaching and Learning. They focused on learning how the brain works, effective revision and study habits, setting academic goals, and when to use specific strategies. These strategies are consistent throughout year 11 and 12, and introduced early in the attempt to reduce the burden of new skills in the senior years.
Year 11/12
Years 11 and 12 have access to Dr. Prue Salter and her company, Enhanced Learning, to assist senior students in their HSC preparation. Her study session workshop in Term 1 aims to equip students with the necessary skills to engage with their academic goals and programs.
Key Strategies explored in Term 1
Throughout the year we will continue to explore strategies that are the most effective for most students. Cornell notes are useful as they can be engaged in a range of ways including the support of active recall and spaced repetition.
Strategy 1: The 2-Minute Focus Reset This technique is adapted from James Clear’s ‘Atomic Habits’ and is a priming activity that helps students clear their minds and prepare to study. Here’s how it works:
- Engage study posture. Deep breathing helps to start.
- Set a timer for two minutes (using a watch, clock, or microwave timer—not a phone).
- Write down everything on their plate—assignments, homework, chores, or anything else on their mind.
- Once the two minutes are up, they are ready to create a short action plan for the time they have to focus on their work.
Strategy 2: The Cornell Note-Taking Method This proven strategy helps students take better notes and improve their understanding. It can be used in class, at home, or for revision. This video provides some more insight. In 2025 the program will continue to grow with a proposed evening for Parents.
