2023 | ISSUE 1 | SJC Newsletter

As our students return for another academic year, we extend a warm welcome to our community as we embark on another exciting year of learning. This year, we have implemented some exciting changes at Westcourt, introducing the Westcourt project, a project-based learning initiative that focuses on critical and creative thinking, personal and social capabilities and ethical understanding. These projects have a diverse range of themes including entrepreneurial and technology-based subjects. We have also updated the curriculum of our core subjects and implemented changes to the way these units will be delivered. Similarly, we have modified the timetable and curriculum at Mt Sion, so that our students have greater allocated time per week for each subject, to prioritise depth of learning. A deeper focus on a fewer number of subjects will allow our students to develop a more thorough and complete understanding of what they are studying, to benefit future academic and career pursuits. A deeper understanding of a subject can lead to greater critical thinking skills, better problem-solving abilities, and a more well-rounded knowledge base. At Waterford, we implemented minor changes to the Year 7 program, with our students studying both languages Italian and Chinese before narrowing their language choices in Year 8.

This year we will continue to work with Sacred Heart College on the “Time project”, where we have been exploring different models of learning and the use of time in schools to support the complex range of learning preferences among our students. Late last year we surveyed our senior students, asking them several questions about effective learning, this survey provided great insight into times of the day when our students believe they learn best, their preferred timing or length of classes and the desire for flexibility in their learning pathways. The data also strongly encourages the College to look at offering some models of online or hybrid learning for our students as well as provide independent study opportunities. We are hoping to present a collaborative model to implement in 2024, that meets the needs of our students for their future and we will keep parents updated in the newsletter as the model develops.

Homework Guidelines

The College has reviewed and updated our Homework Guidelines, which we have articulated to our students through our Subschool briefings in the first week. Homework helps students to establish behaviour patterns involving work outside formal school time and to establish a habit of revising or studying work on a regular basis in order to improve retention, conceptualisation, recall, and understanding.

Our Heads of Learning have communicated the College Homework expectations at each subschool, and our expectations increase as our students progress each year. We also have a set of family responsibilities in our guidelines which are outlined below:

• To work together in setting schedules that allow for the recommended weekly time for work at home.

• To provide a setting that allows work to be done effectively.

• For parents to monitor student work regularly and check their PAM accounts.

• To take an interest and be involved in your child’s homework, but minimise direct assistance to develop independent learning.

• Discuss the work set in order for encouragement to be given and as a means of keeping parents informed.

As a guide for parents the hours of Homework you would expect for your child at each Year level is

Year 7&8 5 hours a week

Year 9 7- 8 hours a week (subject choice dependent)

Year 10 10 hours a week (subject choice dependent)

Year 11 12 hours a week (subject choice dependent)

Year 12 15 – 20 hours a week (subject choice dependent)

The variation in elective subjects and acceleration opportunities will impact the hours required to study and complete homework for each child.

The College library is open Monday to Thursday until 5 pm to support students who need a quiet place to study, and provide tea, coffee and biscuits to our senior students during this time. Our College Library team will also deliver study skill sessions to students who have allocated study time, and we will continue to engage and use the resources of Elevate Education.

Elevate offer a series of free online webinars for parents to support their child at home. The information regarding Elevate and their first session is below.

Elevate Education works with our students, delivering high-impact workshops on study skills, motivation, wellbeing, and exam preparation. By tuning into their webinar series you will learn how you can help better support your children at home by reinforcing the skills they learn at school:

When: Wednesday 15 February

Time: 6.30 - 7.30 pm

Theme: How to help and get your child Motivated

Cost: Free to elevate schools

To register: Registration Link

Key Testing Dates across the College for Semester One

This year we have had some changes to the mandated testing schedule for students in Years 7, 9 and any student studying VCE Units 3-4 or Year 12 VCE VM. It is really important where possible to avoid making student appointments on the dates outlined below.

NAPLAN

• Year 7 (those not on camp 1) will complete the testing schedule on 15, 16, and 17 March

• Year 7 (those who were on camp 1) will complete the testing schedule on 20, 21 and 22 March

• Year 9 will complete the testing schedule on 15, 16, 17 March

The GAT

For all students who complete one or more VCE Unit 3-4 sequences (scored and unscored), Scored VET or Senior VCAL or VCE VM units. This will take place on Thursday 15 June.

ACER PAT testing 7 - 10

This will occur in English and Maths classes during the first few weeks of Term 1.

Semester One Exam Week - Years 8 - 11

This will start on Monday 19 - Thursday 22 June, and timetables will be released closer to the date.

Academic Awards Celebration

To celebrate the success of our 2022 Academic Year we will be holding our annual awards ceremonies in the coming weeks. These awards recognise the hard work and dedication of our students and provide an opportunity to showcase the diverse talents of our community.

The Waterford Awards will be held Monday 13 February and will acknowledge the efforts of our 2022 Year 7 and 8 students. The Westcourt & Mt Sion award ceremony will be held Tuesday 14 February and will acknowledge the efforts of our Year 9 - 12 students. Both award ceremonies will be filmed and made available to parents shortly after the events.

Parent Access Module (PAM)

Over the holidays the developers of our student management system upgraded our Parent access module we refer to as PAM. Please contact the College if you do not have access to your account.

We have asked our teaching staff to begin to place outlines of the student's lessons through the lesson plan section to enable parents to gain insight into what their students are studying in each class. Whilst this was previously done in the College for students to access, this upgrade gives parents the opportunity to view it as well. The College teaching team have been asked to transition to this module over the term and we expect full implementation and access to parents for the start of Term 2.