Student Diary

As always, I have enjoyed visiting our  Years 7-9 classes to see how students are being engaged in their learning first-hand. This week has seen lots of learning coming to life with collaborative and practical experiences. Mrs Gough’s 7 HASS class were preparing for their mock referendum and in Mrs Anderson’s 7 English class I joined in a lively and impassioned debate.

Up in Eruditio, Mrs Hooper-Lees and Mrs Borg’s 7 Science classes were both able to give me great explanations of dichotomous keys and show off their recent learning as they practised with animals and foods! It was great to get involved with some of the decision-making about which characteristics to use to develop their keys.

Growth Mindset

During Assembly on Monday, I spoke to students about the importance of the mindset that they bring to school each day. Carol Dweck’s work on Growth Mindsets is enlightening and accessible – when we don’t believe we can develop our intelligence and skills, we avoid challenge and give up easily. In contrast, most successful students understand that practice makes progress and that challenge is exercise for the brain. I asked students to consider something that they had learned to do over a long period of time: times tables, dancing, driving, playing sports – there are so many things that they know they can do with practice, so it’s important that we help them apply this belief to learning at school too.

Mr Frank Turtle

Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching 7-9