BEGINNING TERM
Both teachers and parents have experienced a rich start to the term with a busy 'student free' Monday on July 22. All parents were invited to hear an outstanding presenter Dr Andrew Martin in MacKellar Hall in the evening. This date was specifically chosen in the hope that parents returning boys to boarding may be able to stay over to attend. Unfortunately the date for the Year 10 subject course selection was chosen for the same reason which meant that Year 10 parents had a difficult choice to make. Dr Martin's work is widely published so those who would like to learn more about the motivation strategies around boys' learning may access that information in his publications.
Dr Andrew Martin addressed the staff in the afternoon, focusing on the concept of 'academic buoyancy' which he defined as the ability to deal with setbacks at school, academic challenge and schoolwork pressures. He discussed the impact of effective teacher relationships on learning. He focused on how the teacher can guide the boy towards being adaptable in their thinking, behaviour and emotional responses so they can take greater control over their study programme.
There are several presentations that are well worth listening to on his website. This includes a podcast interview about student motivation on ABC radio.
http://www.lifelongachievement.com/
Teachers also met together as a whole staff to share a Chapel led by Rev Anne Wright who reminded us of the Uniting Church heritage, history and values and what these mean to us as a whole community regardless of our personal faith systems. Headmaster Dr O'Connell welcomed all staff to the new term and outlined the school strategic direction and the exciting building developments that have taken place over the holidays. Very soon we will be able to walk through the tunnel that will not only serve the practical purpose of making the wonderful playing spaces more accessible to the Senior School and Senior School facilities more accessible to Junior and Middle Schools but will also be symbolic of the connectedness of our learning as the boys transition from Junior School to Middle School to Senior School.
As part of the launch of NAIDOC WEEK at Scotch, Mr Andrew Beck, Indigenous Programme Coordinator at Guildford Grammar and originally from Esperance, made an Acknowledgement of Country and addressed staff on cultural awareness and ways of knowing and learning. Ms Felicity Byres, as Indigenous Student Program Coordinator at Scotch, outlined an exciting programme of events for Week 3 that will include a collaborative Sand Art Mural in the Junior and Middle Schools, damper making and other bush tucker, a football match against Clontarf, indigenous tool making and guest speakers and performers.
Year 9 and 10 Examinations
These were completed towards the end of last term prior to students and teachers undertaking the Year 9 Civics programme in Canberra and Perth and the Year 10 Outdoor Education Expeditions. The examination invigilators commented on how impressed they were by the boys' behaviour throughout the examination period. They were punctual and well prepared and undertook the process in a responsible manner. Teachers are now in the process of finalising the grading of the papers and moderation meetings. Some results will have been released to the boys and by the end of Week 2 all boys should be able to access the results of the examinations on Student Coneqt.
Jan Skidmore
Director of Teaching and Learning
