Dear Parents, Carers and Community Members

Students have returned after a well-deserved break and time to hopefully reflect on their performance during semester one.  Year 12 students began this term with only 10 school days prior to the start of their Trial HSC examinations starting on Monday, 31 July and then approximately 25 days of face-to-face teaching and learning before they finish their secondary schooling to prepare for their HSC examinations.

In this article, I will share with you some advice for parents on helping your child through the final weeks leading up to the HSC.  I will also take some time to provide parents with some strategies to help their children in Years 7-11 with their homework/assessment tasks at home.

Helping your son or daughter through to the HSC at St Clare’s

Our best advice to students in assisting them to minimise stress is to do the work!  There is no substitute for a concerted study regime in preparation for exams.

Parents too need support when the HSC descends on their household.  Some parents have had older children sit for the HSC, but for others, this year is a first for them.  The NESA website

contains information to assist students and parents to successfully undertake these important exams.

The most obvious forms of support parents can offer are the practical, physical things, but most importantly are the things you can do to provide a positive and understanding emotional environment.

1. Be supportive and encouraging.
2. Appreciate that most students will be experiencing quite a high level of stress, frequently without any indicators. Beware of setting unrealistic expectations.
3. Many students experience a sense of impending departure:  leaving school and leaving lifelong friends.
4. Appreciate that it is normal for people under pressure to become super sensitive and explosive from time to time. Family members are usually the first targets.  Try not to overreact to such outbursts.
5. Avoid confrontations especially over minor matters.
6. Do not panic when they announce on the evening before the examination that they know nothing. Reassure them, even if you think they could be right!  Encourage confidence by reassuring them.
7. Be realistic in your expectations as to where the HSC leads.
8. Encourage your son or daughter to seek help from their LOWE, teachers, Careers Adviser if they are having any difficulty with subjects, study organisation, stress or anxiety about examinations.
9. Don’t feel too badly when you forget not to nag, when you get picky, and complain bitterly that your child has the time to attend the 18^th birthday party of every Year 12 student but doesn’t have time to help with the washing up.
10. Remember as parents, we are only human, and because we can’t help being over-involved, we also feel the pressure of Year 12 from time to time.

Helping your child with Homework or Assessment Tasks

“Homework is designed to help students reinforce key concepts, process and solidify new information, provide time for extra practice of skills, and reflect on how much they’ve learned,”

‘Susan Becker, M. Ed.’ 

1. Don’t do the homework for your child. Most teachers use homework to find out what the child knows.  Make sure homework is completed and review any mistakes to see what can be learned from them.
2. Don’t do your child’s Assessments. Help support your child’s’ learning and make sure they have what they need to accomplish a task.  Read the Assessment task outline provided to your child for each task.  Check with your child’s teacher about the requirements of the task if unsure and review it with your child.
3. Set up a good space to work. All children need the same thing:  a clean, well-lit space.  However, keep in mind that each child may work differently; some will do their work at the kitchen table and others at their desks in their rooms.
4. Become aware when the right time to begin their work is. Some children will work best by doing homework right after school; others need a longer break and must run around before tackling the work.  Most will need a snack.  If your child does after-school activities, set a homework time before or after the activity, or after dinner.  Whatever routine you choose, help your child stick to it.
5. Find out how your child studies best. How does your child like to study?  For example, some kids will through rote learning (repetition), others are visual learners (creating diagrams, using images).  The environment is also important.  Some children may want to listen to music, some are helped by being in the middle of noise, and others need absolute quiet.
6. Stay close by; remain available in case they need your help. Possibly read a book or do your own work at the same time.  Remember that not all homework is equal, so not everything will need your attention.  Keep in mind that it is their homework/task.
7. Limit media exposure. Turn off the TV or any visual distraction.  Remember the computer is a learning tool to assist student learning and only needs to be used when it is required to assist in completing homework or assessment tasks.
8. Let the teacher know if you gave your child a lot of help with Homework or a task. If your child needs extra, help, or truly doesn’t understand something, let the teacher know.  Write on the assignment, ‘done with parental help,’ or write a separate note, If your child resists, explain that homework is used to practice what you know and to show the teacher what you need help learning more about — so it’s a parent’s job to let the teacher know.

I hope this article helps parents/carers in supporting your child’s learning.  As a parent of a Year 12 student, the last of my four children to finish their schooling, I am fully aware how difficult it is to be a parent in an ever-changing society and helping our children to be the best they can be in all facets of life, academically, physically, socially, and spiritually.

NAIDOC Celebrations

On Wednesday this week we came together as a school community to celebrate NAIDOC.  An opportunity to celebrate the histories, cultures, and achievements of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our community.  This year’s theme was ‘For the Elders’ and we were joined by some of our local Biripi Elders to listen to their stories.

We welcomed Uncle Will, Aunty Isabell, Aunty Gail, and Aunty Michelle who not only shared some of their stories, but also their knowledge about country and culture.  In particular the elders spoke about the importance of showing and having Respect for all, remembering and recognising the past while looking to the future.  

The chance to listen to the elders also allowed the St Clare’s community to celebrate with and recognise the invaluable contribution the elders have made and continue to make in shaping communities and guiding future generations.

Josh Wood, ex-student of St Clare’s, also joined us and led some of our indigenous students in traditional aboriginal dance. Josh has been working closely with our indigenous dance group that started this year. This was a first for St Clare’s as it was the first time that the dancers performing out our NAIDOC celebration were all students of St Clare’s.

Our Dancers included Ashira Vale, Kathleen Foster, Indiana Langbein, Lakayah Saunders, Jay-Jay Clarke, Tye-Tye Clarke, Tyler Saunders, Domonik Croker, Jacobi Hobden, Jermaine Saunders Mitchell, Darcey Andrews, Locklan Candland-Hart and Kaleb Ryan.

Students who led the ceremony:  Nash Syron, Byron Donegan, Darcey Andrews, Nyoka Syron, Ashira Vale and Kathleen Foster.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank Karley Redfern from Bamara and all the parents and carers who attending our NAIDOC celebrations, but especially Leilanie Andrews, Robin Davies, Sandy Basile, Amanda Brooks, and Laurent Gonfond for the time spent organising such a great celebration.

‘Together with Christ we serve our community’.

Inspired by GOSPEL VALUES and the practical examples of St Mary of The Cross MacKillop and St Clare of Assisi our Mission is to…

CONNECT LEARN ASPIRE RESPECT ENGAGE

Kind Regards

Phillip Gibney
Principal