Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

Welcome to the 2024 academic year.  It will be a big year for everyone at the College, but a particularly big one for families who have students in Years 7 and 12; to Year 12 students, pretty soon everything will begin to feel like “the last time” - and before we know it they’ll be sitting the final exams and walking out the gates.  To Year 7, everything is new, exciting and challenging.  So a special welcome to families who are walking the path of “firsts” and “lasts” with their children.

As a newcomer to the College myself, I have been so impressed with the sense of community that underpins everything that is done here at St Joseph’s: in my wanderings through the yard and classrooms, I’m yet to be met with anything other than warmth, welcome and respect.  And I see staff and students treating each other in the same way.  It’s a great foundation for learning.

This week, Week 3, it really felt like we got into the rhythm of learning; classroom routines and relationships have been established; homework has been set; assessment and performance tasks are on the agenda.

As Mr Campbell has noted, this term we have chosen to focus on the habits and foundations of good study: preparation and punctuality.  These two items, combined with the focus on uniform, are less about the items themselves, and more about the principle of excellence.  We want all our students to understand that excellence is a conscious choice, and high achievement is never an accident; it is always based on mindful preparation and the desire to be one’s best in all aspects of life.  We do appreciate your support of this approach.

This year, we continue to pursue the strategic goal of achieving co-responsibility for learning with our students’ parents and carers.  For you, this means that we are looking for your active support of your child’s learning goals, with particular emphasis on literacy.  Regardless of subject or topic, literacy is key to success in secondary school.  All tasks and examinations require students to be able to read, comprehend and interpret language, as well as to construct arguments in written text.  To support this, you can engage in conversation with your child about what they’re learning, how they’re going and what they need to do to continue improving.  These don’t need to be long conversations, but they do need to be regular.  Discussing the book you’re reading, a movie you’ve watched recently or the current events of the world around us is another way to engage in language construction with your kids.  As a parent of two kids who have recently finished high school, I am all too aware that teens can be hard to get into deep conversation with, but we are always on the lookout for moments of opportunity! Research consistently demonstrates that parental involvement in their child's education and learning is one of the key indicators of success (for the child, that is!).

To parents of students in Year 10, this is a vital year despite what your child may tell you.  This year, and sooner than you may think, our Year 10 students will choose their Stage 6 pattern of study.  The grades they achieve in Year 10 will influence the subject choices that we steer them towards, so it is important that they strive to do their best and keep their options wide open.

To parents of Year 12 students, as crazy as it seems, the end of this term marks the half-way point of your child’s HSC.  Every lesson counts.

Over the coming weeks, assessment and performance tasks will begin for all Year levels.  These are all entered on the student Google calendars in a timely manner, so students can be prepared.  As always, preparation is not only the key to success, but also the best means of reducing stress as the term gets busy.

Finally, whilst I have prattled exclusively about learning, I do want to emphasise the importance of a balanced life for our teens; work, sport, hobbies and friends are crucial elements of a happy and balanced life for our young people.  There are many opportunities for kids to engage in co and extra curricular activities at Joeys, and I encourage you to discuss these with your children.  We want nothing more than for our students to learn how to shine and experience the fullness of life across the full range of life’s experiences.

Have a great weekend.  I have enjoyed meeting members of the parent community at our house breakfasts this term, and look forward to meeting many more throughout the year working with you and your childrens’ teachers to get the best out of 2024.

Mr Chris Mason
Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching