From the (Acting) Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning, Ms Lynsey Porter

(Acting) Deputy Principal, Teaching & Learning, Ms Lynsey Porter

Exam Updates

Congratulations to our HSC 2023 cohort who have completed their final examinations today. What a fantastic effort. I would also like to acknowledge within our community the students in Years 10 and 11 who volunteered their time to act as scribes for our HSC students who access disability provisions for their exams. While our 30 volunteers had the valuable experience of the HSC exam process, their leadership in supporting the HSC examinees in a kind and professional manner was really appreciated both by the HSC students and staff.

On the subject of exams, as parents and carers will be aware, students in Years 7-10 face the upcoming challenge of end of year examinations which commence for Years 7-9 next week and Year 10 in Week 6. This crucial period can be both demanding and stressful for young learners.

Here are some ways that parents and carers can help their son navigate their exam period successfully:

Create a Quiet Study Environment: Ensure your child has a quiet and comfortable space to study. Minimise distractions, and make sure they have the necessary study materials within reach.
Encourage Good Study Habits: Help your son establish a study routine. Encourage them to break their study sessions into manageable chunks and take short breaks to refresh.
Offer Emotional Support: Encourage your son to talk about any concerns, and be there to listen and offer reassurance. Remind them that it’s normal to feel nervous before exams.
Healthy Lifestyle: Ensure your child gets enough sleep, eats well, and exercises. A healthy lifestyle can positively influence their concentration and performance during exams.
Review and Quiz: Help them review and quiz themselves on the subject matter. Ask questions or provide prompts to test their knowledge.
Celebrate Effort, Not Just Results: Emphasise the importance of hard work and effort, rather than solely focusing on grades.
Stay Informed: Use the parent portal on TASS and CANVAS to monitor information about assessment tasks and important dates to ensure your child is adequately prepared.
Maintain a Balanced Perspective: Remind your son that exams are a part of their educational journey and help them to track their individual growth. Encourage them to do their best and remember their identity as a learner is not defined by a single test or exam period.
Encourage your son to reflect on his strengths during the exam period. Is he well organised? Is he highly conceptual? Maybe he shows a good understanding of exam strategy? Every student comes into exam periods with different strengths and it’s worth observing these and bringing them to the attention of your son to foster his resilience for future tasks and exam periods.

Ms Lynsey Porter

(Acting) Deputy Principal, Teaching & Learning

lporter@waverley.nsw.edu.au

Year 12 Engineering Studies Civil Structures Excursion

The art of engineering is all around us. We are lucky enough to live in a city where we have some of the world’s most iconic civil structures. Year 12 Engineering Studies students are studying about civil structures with a focus on bridges this Term. We therefore embarked on an appreciation excursion this week, taking an up close and personal look at our Sydney Harbour, Iron Cove and Anzac Bridge.

In preparation for one of next year’s transportation modules, we also analysed how modern ferry wharfs are designed for safe and efficient passenger use.

As everyday consumers of products and services, we often use them without truly appreciating the amount of considerations that go into the design and manufacturing processes. Engineering Studies at the College is therefore about seeing everything around us with a different perspective, ever appreciative of the history but always with an innovative mind on how we can continuously improve and support our ecosystem.

Yr12 Engineering Studies Civil Structures Excursion