This week, we celebrated teachers and the exciting work they've done this semester with their classes. It was a great opportunity to hear about the diverse methods teachers use to make learning relevant, meaningful, and engaging. Through these innovative approaches, teachers are not only achieving our college goals—such as fostering a sense of belonging, engaging pedagogy, and strengthening home-school partnerships—but are also equipping students with essential skills like critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving that will serve them throughout their lives.

Here is a small sample of the learning experiences shared by teachers:

• Ms Julie Edwards highlighted how she has used technology to gamify Japanese and increase participation in class, encouraging students to think critically and collaborate in real time as they solve linguistic challenges together.
• Mr Simon Thomas explained how he has implemented new ways of teaching mathematics to deepen students' understanding. This approach has also enhanced their problem-solving skills and strengthened their ability to work collaboratively as they tackle complex concepts in groups.
• Ms Georgia Handley improved student engagement in English by setting her classroom up as a crime scene and deputising students as detectives to discover who killed Sherlock Holmes. This creative method not only made learning fun but also fostered investigative thinking and teamwork among her students.
• Mrs Debbie Hooper-Lees and the science team showcased the excellent solar models that year 7 students completed to demonstrate their learning this term, a project that required students to apply scientific reasoning, collaborate with peers, and present their findings with confidence.

As you review the school term with your child, I hope you are able to celebrate their successes as well. I encourage all parents to make time to join us at our student, parent and teacher conferences to discuss your child’s learning. Additionally, consider setting aside time each week to review homework together, ask your child to explain new concepts in their own words, or engage in educational activities at home that align with what they are learning in school. These small actions can make a big difference in supporting your child’s academic growth and enthusiasm for learning.

God bless,

Mr Reuben Chalmers

Deputy Chalmers