Senior Years
Gratitude: The Things You Find on a Learning Walk
“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” – Jim Rohn
Our Senior Years teachers have spent the last week developing new strategies for teaching reading and literacy across Years 9 -12. The adage that all teachers are teachers of literacy is true; however, I would extend this to claim that all students are learning of literacy… no matter what year level they are in.
There are many benefits of continuing to develop the reading ability of students in the Senior Years. These are just five reasons:
- Expands Vocabulary
Regular reading exposes students to numerous writing styles and a chance to learn new vocabulary. Students become exposed to proper grammar and while looking at the words, their minds can comprehend and store the information. Even when they come across new words that they may not understand, students absorb something from the context that may help deepen the understanding of it the next time is it encountered. - Boost Creativity
Fiction books increase creativity, especially at a young age. It’s been widely known that creativity can help solve problems, write books, produce music and spark innovation. Being able to write creatively is also highly beneficial in high school as it is examined in senior subjects. - Improve Writing Skills
With an improved vocabulary and increased creativity, students have a better chance of writing exceptional written work. While reading, students unconsciously absorb the grammar and writing style of the author.
- Develop Analytical Thinking Skills
Reading enhances knowledge by exercising the brain and causing it to think more, therefore enhancing intelligence. This helps students to study subjects with more ease and retain the knowledge received from the subject, making them more knowledgeable. Studies have shown that reading enhances analytical thinking as readers are able to spot patterns quicker.
- Enhances Memory
Memory and reading are closely linked. Regular reading helps improve memory at a young age as they help you stretch your memory muscles because it requires you to remember details, plot lines, themes, facts and figures and characters.
Matrix Education https://www.matrix.edu.au/5-reasons-students-should-read-books-2/
I encourage all our students to pick up a book and read (once they have finished their homework!).
Academic Success Interviews
Later in the year, most of our Year 12 students will sit the Queensland Core Skills Test (QCST). They will be the last cohort at OLSCC to sit this exam and preparations have already begun to ensure that they have the necessary assessment capability to achieve success in this important exam.
As part of this year’s preparation, we have engaged in a QCST consultant to spend some time preparing our Year 12s, and work with our teachers in the preparation of these students. A letter will go home to Year 12 parents to provide some more details of training. The first day will be on Monday 18 March.
The following is a short blurb from our visiting consultant;
Matt Rigby has run an independent literacy consultancy, Go Grammar Consulting Brisbane, for more than 10 years. Prior to that, he taught Senior English and Modern History and Junior History, Geography and English, for 20 years in state and independent schools for 20 years in Queensland. He has worked with more than 40 Catholic, independent and state schools and colleges in Queensland and Sydney delivering student Year 12 QCS Test and Years 7 and 9 NAPLAN coaching workshops and staff professional learning workshops on explicitly teaching grammar, writing and reading comprehension strategies. He is also a member of the Brisbane management committee of the English Teachers’ Association of Queensland and has been the co-convenor of the annual ETAQ state conference for the last six years.
We look forward to welcoming Mr Rigby to our College later in the term.
Matt Hodge
Assistant Principal Senior Years