Middle Years Playtime

Due to popular demand, the College has now constructed a second 9 Square in the Air set in the Middle Years Plaza. This lunch time game encourages students of all ages to be active and have fun while on breaks. It has been incredibly pleasing to see so many students getting involved and laughing as they play. In setting up these games, we have also seen a return of an old favourite – handball. Exercise in break times can have wonderful impacts on student’s learning abilities and cognitive functions in several ways. From the release of endorphins, which are natural mood lifters, to increased blood flow to the brain, the research indicates that even just 20 minutes of physical activity before learning episodes and classes can help to increase alertness and attention in class. As a result, students will find a boost in memory as the hippocampus has also been activated. Then there are the social benefits as well. Well done to all the students getting involved and playing at breaks. It’s a great healthy habit to continue. 

Year 7 Camp
We wish our Year 7 students heading away for camp all the best for their travels and off-site learning next week. It is such a wonderful experience for students to engage in rich curriculum activities while also forging wonderful memories with their friends and teachers. Hopefully the whales are just as playful this year as they were for the 2022 group and I look forward to see the photos of their week as they are posted to the College’s social media platforms.  

Student-Led Conferences

This evening is the next round of Middle Years Student-Led Conferences. I wish that all families enjoy the experience to hear about student learning, to engage in rich conversations with teachers about student goals, academic growth, and the up coming assessment. If any parent was unable to attend this evening, but still wishes to meet with their child’s teacher, I encourage you to reach out to the individual teachers to arrange an alternate time. We view parent involvement in every child’s educational journey as a critical component to their development and success. Your continued support of College systems is also greatly appreciated.

Positive Approaching assessment

In the last newsletter, I wrote about the power of a positive mindset. As we move into the busy assessment section of the term, it is important that all students work hard to remain positive even though they may feel more academic pressure at this time. There are ways to help reduce these feelings though and it is important that students approach their academic responsibilities with integrity and a commitment to learning. Avoiding the completion of tasks or procrastinating until the day before the deadline is not a productive way to handle the workload. When students take this approach, they inevitably find themselves under more pressure. Instead of trying to evade assessments, perhaps they should consider one or more of the following alternatives:

• Plan Ahead
  This might sound easy, but it does not come naturally to most. Best practice would be to start the assignment the day it is distributed. Beginning is the hardest step for most, but just making a start, even a small one can be hugely beneficial. Procrastination can lead to stress and rushed work of a lesser quality. However, if the task is broken down into smaller steps and one or two are completed in the first few days of the assessment task it will certainly pay dividends at the back end of the assessment timeframe.
  
  
• Eliminate Distractions
  Despite what your child tells you, they cannot complete high quality academic work while simultaneously listening to music, accessing social media, or watching the television. This type of multitasking is impossible. It is important that they turn off the distractions and have a designated workspace within the home that is conducive to producing high quality work. Find somewhere public in the home, like the dining table, where they can also be held accountable if they switch off or get distracted.
  
  
• Seek Help
  If your child is struggling with assessment, have they reach out (or reach out on their behalf) to the teacher. They can provide reassurance, clarity, guidance, and or assistance. All of which will reduce stress.
  
  
• Time Management

Students have busy lives. Training and rehearsals for club sports or dance also have time demands outside of school times. Finding a balance here is the key. It is important for students to learn that in life we need to schedule our time appropriately. Managing their time effectively will become an important ingredient to their success later in life, but they will need some assistance in doing this. Plotting out the weekly commitments and having them visible in the home can be a great way to stay of top of things. Having a school, extra-curricular, and homework schedule visible at home will help keep them on track and hold them accountable for the completion of tasks in a timely manner.

• Take Breaks
  A schedule of commitments can be a great way to manage time effectively. However, it is important that it remains realistic and that appropriate breaks are timetabled in so that students can make their time more focused and efficient. Creating reward systems for the completion of work can be a great strategy for motivating students. It even works with adults.

It is important that students view their education as more than just obtaining grades. It is also about acquiring knowledge of a range of topics and perspectives, obtaining a set of skills that will serve them well now and into the future, and for personal growth and forming good habits around work ethic. The near enough is good enough attitude only serves to create poor working habits, ones that will be much harder to break later in life once they are engrained into everyday functioning. Break these habits now, develop productive habits instead and students will find themselves under much less stress at school.   

Mr Craig Cullen

Assistant Principal – Middle Years