Issue 4 2024 - Teaching & Learning
Teaching & Learning
Jessica Lewis
Open Day
I would like to start with a massive thank you to all the current and prospective students, staff, families and community members who came down to help celebrate Open day. It was such a nice day – the sun shined, the school looked polished, the kids smiled – it was everything it was planned to be and more. I must give a shout out to all the teachers, trainers, cleaners, cooks and residential staff who turned up to work on a Saturday, plus special mention to Ms Milton and Miss Steyn for all their work behind the scenes to make the day a success.
All the feedback that I have received from the public has been most gratifying; I love it when a particular student is named so I can pass that on and see the pride on their faces when they’re told a total stranger has complemented them.
The young men and women that I deal with on a day to day basis are committed to their learning and display high levels of knowledge about all things agriculture. This is not just a school for them – it’s a gateway to the life they want to, and indeed are living. They are generally kind to this city-raised teacher when I mispronounce a cow breed or plant name and can often be leaned on to fill in the gaps. I feel this school contains an army of students that are capable of doing the job when it is required, like milking the cows when the dairy breaks down and I am sure they will be ambassadors for the college in years to come. If you have any feedback to share about open day, please send it through to Jessica.lewis@education.wa.edu.au
Year 11 and 12 ATAR tutoring and exam preparation
We will again be welcoming the English tutors in week 7 to work with Year 11 and 12 students on developing their writing skills and give students some much valued face-to-face time. This can only be done with the support of all school staff as students need to be pulled out of other classes to facilitate the arrangement. I know some students are disappointed to miss out on farm or elective classes, and thank them for their active engagement in these sessions. The Chemistry students will also get to see their tutor in week 9.
As we are a regional school, the Department of Education gives us access to additional resources such as online revision sessions for the core ATAR subjects including: English, Biology, Math Applications and Chemistry. The Year 12s will have access to these in week 7 and 8 of this term in preparation for the semester 2 exams and I strongly encourage them to participate. The Year 12 SIDE exams (English and Chemistry) will be held in week 10 of this term, with the remaining school based exams to occur in week 1 of Term 4. I will send out the information for Year 11s closer to the time of their exams which are scheduled for Term 4, week 6.
I urge all Year 12s to keep persevering. It can be lonely trying to study for hours at a time, especially in a residential college where your friends might be just next door. Your efforts at the end of the year will be more important than ever. ATAR is a team sport – the better everyone performs individually, the better we do together.
Jessica Lewis
Program Coordinator - Teaching and Learning
WACOA – Denmark