GROWING AS A LEARNER
As Term 2 continues, students across all year groups are preparing for key academic milestones: the Year 7–10 assessment block, Year 11 Preliminary tasks and Year 12 Trial Examinations. This is a critical time to pause, reflect and make deliberate choices that support growth.
Feedback as a Starting Point for Growth
Parent-Teacher-Student interviews which are currently underway, offer students a valuable opportunity to hear directly from their teachers about strengths, areas for improvement and strategies for success. These conversations are not just a review of what has been — they are a guide for what comes next. The most powerful use of feedback is not in receiving it, but in acting on it.
This term’s assessment block gives students the chance to apply that feedback in practical ways. Whether it’s improving time management, asking more questions in class, or preparing more consistently, small changes now can lead to significant progress.
At the end of the term, Semester 1 reports will provide a snapshot of achievement and learning behaviours — a meaningful opportunity to see whether current efforts have translated into improvement. Comparing these results with previous reports allows students to reflect on what’s working and where they might continue to adjust their approach in Semester 2.
From Feedback to Action: Smarter Study Strategies
Acting on feedback often means changing how we study. Many students rely on passive methods like re-reading notes or highlighting, which feel productive but don’t always lead to deep understanding. To truly grow as a learner, students should shift towards active study techniques that improve memory, understanding and application.
Some effective strategies include:
- Retrieval practice – recalling key ideas from memory, then checking for accuracy
- Self-quizzing – regularly testing knowledge using flashcards or past paper questions
- Teaching others – explaining a concept aloud to someone else
- Spaced practice – revisiting material multiple times over a few weeks
- Interleaving – mixing up different topics or question types in one session.
These strategies are valuable at all stages of high school but become increasingly important as students move into more content-heavy senior courses. For Years 11 and 12 this might also include writing practice responses under timed conditions, using marking criteria and analysing exemplars.
Save the Date: Study Skills Evening for Year 7 and 8 Students and Parents
We are pleased to welcome Dr Prue Salter to the College on Monday 26 May for a special Study Skills Evening designed for both Year 7 and 8 students and their parents. Dr Salter is a nationally recognised expert in study skills, organisation and time management for school-aged learners.
This practical session will provide students with strategies to build effective study routines, manage their time and approach assessments with greater confidence. Parents will also gain valuable insights into how to support learning at home. This is a wonderful opportunity for students and families to work together to strengthen learning behaviours that will benefit them throughout high school.
Developing Self-Regulation: Learning How to Learn
Alongside study techniques, students need to develop self-regulation — the ability to take control of their learning. Self-regulated learners plan ahead, monitor their progress, adjust when needed and stay motivated even when challenges arise.
Students can begin building self-regulation through simple daily practices such as:
- setting clear short-term goals
- creating a regular study routine
- tracking progress and reflecting on outcomes
- managing distractions and learning how to stay focused
- recognising and responding to stress in healthy ways.
Developing these habits takes time, but they are essential for building confidence, resilience and independence, especially during busy assessment periods.
Looking Ahead
The second half of Term 2 is a chance for every student to take meaningful steps forward. Through thoughtful engagement with feedback, active study and growing self-regulation, students can prepare well for upcoming assessments and set the tone for the rest of the year. Whether in Year 7 or Year 12, every learner can make progress and the actions taken now will shape not only academic results, but the skills and habits that carry far beyond the classroom.
Leone Smyth
Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning
