A Focus on Writing

I would like to share some very exciting news for our College. We have been selected by Toowoomba Catholic Schools to be a trial school for a Writing Improvement Strategy in 2020. Only 3 schools were selected to be a full trial school. The trial will focus on the full use of the Write That Essay program. The company provides testing, training and strategies to improve student writing outcomes. A full diocesan Writing Improvement Strategy will be rolled out in 2021. This means that we get a full 12 months head start!

While we will have an initial Year 7-12 focus, our key learnings will allow us to develop our own P-12 Writing Improvement Plan.

Year 7-11 students will sit a diagnostic test in an English lesson before the end of this term

Please see the following website for more information regarding the company: https://www.writethatessay.org/

About the diagnostic test: Write that Essay’s Composition Skills Index (CSI) is a scientific writing diagnostic test identifying key areas of writing strengths and weaknesses across a school.

During the online test, students select a question from a group of topics. They are given 20 minutes to respond in their best writing. This writing is submitted to Write That Essay for analysis. Unlike many tests, the CSI is externally marked, and uses scientific analysis of student writing.  Assessment is based on the key academic writing skills demanded for success in school life today: fluency, structure, analytical ability, style, precision, and coherence. Results are broken down by year level, and each report includes specific recommendations identifying how to remedy writing gaps identified among student body at respective year levels. Staged reports provide accurate information on educational value add for Boards of Trustees and senior management.

Celebrating the end of a Journey

Next week will be a very special week as we join as a community to celebrate the end of 13 years of schooling for our Year 12 students. These students will participate in a number of activities and special events throughout the week. Thank you to the many students, parents and staff who have assisted in the planning and organisation for the week.

Year 11 Final Day

A reminder that the final school day is Friday 29 November. In the six days preceding this date, students will be starting their Year 12 Unit 3 & 4 work. It is imperative that all Year 11 students attend classes until their last date of the year. The first round of assessment for Year 12 students will be in Week 6 of Term 1, therefore, the lessons running at the end of this year are important.

Matt Hodge

Assistant Principal Senior Years