From the Deputy Head of College

FROM THE DEPUTY HEAD OF COLLEGE, PATRICK BRENNAN

GO Foundation partnership

At our mid-year prefect’s assembly on Thursday I announced that the College has signed a partnership agreement with the GO Foundation which will commence in 2019.

The College believes this is an exciting opportunity as we continue to play our part in ‘closing the gap’ and meet our strategic target of ensuring more indigenous students have the opportunity of a Catholic education in the Edmund Rice Tradition at Waverley.

Founded by Adam Goodes and Michael O’Loughlin (pictured) the GO Foundation began its focus on education in 2014.

The foundation seeks to support students through the GO Ecosystem, a three-way collaboration with Career Trackers and AIME, supported by corporate Australia, schools and universities and Indigenous organisations working to create a brighter future for Indigenous Australians.

The GO Ecosystem is based on the concept that by working together, they can empower Indigenous Australian youth to change their own lives. With its trusted partners, and with culture at the heart of everything they do, providing mentoring, leadership, networks and support to GO students on their journey from Kindergarten to Employment.

The College looks forward to this taking our first steps in the long term partnership.

Importance of the College Diary

It is the expectation that each student at the College uses their College Diary each lesson.

Student diaries develop organisation and better communication skills. With diaries being a part of the classroom experience, students are more likely to keep track of their assignments, set personal goals, and enhance communication between teachers, students and parents. The four main ways the College Diary can enhance learning are as follows:

Improves Organisation

Organisation does not come easily to many student’s students. It requires a conscious effort and a great deal of planning; qualities that some of our boys lack. Most often students get confused and anxious with having to keep up and plan for their many classes, assignments, test dates and so forth. Due to lack of organisation, students’ work or grades often suffer.

The College Diary provides an easy an easy method of taking note of their commitments and deadlines. It gives them a systematic approach to recording necessary information on a daily basis. These are then referred to over the course of time, enabling students to prepare and be ready with their class requirements and activities.

Teachers assist by using the College Diary as part of the conclusion of each lesson as part of our learning routine.

Tracks Achievements

The College Diary allows students to keep track of their goals. They can use the diary to write down their to-do lists and goals. As they accomplish goals throughout the week, they are able to build momentum and get inspired to work harder. Goal setting is a great skill to learn for school work as well as succeeding in life after school.

Enhances Student Responsibility

Having a diary gives students freedom to plan, organise and keep track of their work to the best of their abilities and requirements. This has a dual benefit in that it increases the student’s accountability to the commitments planned as well as provides them with a structure that contributes to their success. Using their diary, students are able to take full responsibility and accountability to complete their work.

Promotes Communication

There is always a chance for miscommunication to take place when conveying information to parents through students. The use of the College Diary helps to overcome this challenge as it serves as an excellent line of communication between students, parents and teachers. The diary includes key information about the College and our policies.

Diaries can have a separate section allowing teacher-parent communication. Teachers can write regarding student performance, dates for school activities or about school policies, while parents can use the space to inquire about the student or inform the teacher about any need or difficulty faced by the student.

Using the College Diary in the classroom can help students stay on track and succeed to the best of their ability.