The Thistle - An E-Newsletter of Scotch College, Perth, Western Australia

From the Head of Senior School

One of the concepts we concentrate on in the Senior School is "future" and we are always focussing on ways we can prepare the boys for their transition through from Year 9 to their life beyond school. As we enter Week 8 of Summer Term and near the end of the semester for the Senior School boys, it is a good time to look at how we are preparing them for the academic challenges that lie ahead.

Year 9 is a three-term year, but the boys have started assessments and students and parents will be receiving feedback on progress through the continuous reporting process across all subjects. The examination period in Autumn Term gives the boys an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the work they have covered and provides them with more experience in examination conditions. This is an important learning tool for their senior years at school.

Last week we started the process of the Year 10 into 11 subject information sessions, which culminates with the course selections later in May. The process includes information evenings, Parent Teacher Student Interviews, House Head Meetings and the experiences of "a day in a life" of a student in both the WACE and IB Diploma before courses are finalised in meetings with senior staff. The aim is to provide the boys and their parents with as much information as possible before they choose their course of study, and the subjects within that course. The boys have a number of opportunities to explore the available options and to engage in conversations with their parents and staff about the course that will best suit their needs.

The Year 11 and 12 cohorts are moving towards the end of Semester 1. For some that means WACE or IB Diploma examinations early in Autumn Term. For those in the Alternative Academic Pathway it is an opportunity to spend time completing work experience in potential careers and to gain a better understanding of the workplace. Importantly, the boys will be heavily involved in arranging this experience with the employer. Our Year 12 boys will also be working with the Year 11 cohort on study skills in the lead up to the examinations as the Year 11 boys found this to be of great benefit last year.

It is a busy time for the boys academically as they continue to balance their co-curricular commitments. Those Year 11 and 12 students who are interested in the Brain Reset sessions currently running on Monday and Tuesday afternoons, are encouraged to speak with Mr Hindle about getting involved. Mindfulness is an important skill to understand and apply in our lives. These sessions have proved to be very helpful in that regard and again provide boys with a learning opportunity that they will be able to apply both in their final years of school and in their life beyond Scotch College.