As a learning community we acknowledge that there is a collective responsibility to work with our young people to ensure they are able to stay the course, to build their ‘academic fitness’ throughout the terms, semesters and year. Similar to a coach we are tasked with providing the appropriate learning plan and advice to support them through the various assessment seasons where the academic pace really intensifies. Nevertheless, any athlete will attribute their success to the daily practice of their training, long before the main competitions. Likewise, it is with learning, students need to grow in their capacity to commit to their plan daily, working with and alongside their teachers and receiving the necessary pep talks from their support network; families, friends, and other adult connections, including their PCG teacher. One simple, yet effective way of supporting at home, the learning that is happening at school, is showing an interest in your child’s day. I encourage you all to take the time of an afternoon or evening to talk to them about their day and what work they have been doing and especially so at this crucial time when there are many assessments being completed.
Goal Setting
Currently our Year 11 and 12 students are engaging in care conversations with their respective PCG teachers to identify strategies to support their progress across various domains. At the same time the Year 7-10 students have been steadily focusing on areas they can improve upon from Semester 2, 2020 in preparation for their care conversations in early Term 2. Whilst goal setting has and continues to be covered within Personal Development lessons and Pastoral Care time, I would like to share with you the rationale of a SMART goal. A SMART goal should be:
S: Specific, to what the young person is focused on for improving.
M: Measurable, to the extent that they might consider a grade they are working toward or striving for a personal best time.
A: Attainable, such that the goal is not beyond their reach entirely.
R: Relevant, so that they are striving for something that aligns with their purpose
T: Time-bound, whereby there is an end point to their goal, whether it be a short (1 semester) or long-term goal, (the entire year).
Pacific as a Peace Place
Each year the College undertakes an audit of the students’ perceptions related to a range of domains including but not limited to safety, harassment, support networks, pastoral care and happiness. The information we collect is anonymous and via an online survey that is completed individually. Held during the same time period as the National Day of Action Against Bullying toward the end of Week 8 (and again in Term 3), it is an opportunity to celebrate the great work that is undertaken in making Pacific a truly peaceful place. It is also an opportunity for us to reflect on the areas where we need to improve and direct more attention to, in supporting students, both socially and emotionally. More information will be relayed to students in the coming week to support them in being able to complete this survey.
Mr Ben Ryan, Director of Students