Principal's Log

Earlier this week, our Director of Teaching and Learning, Ms Sue Arahill and myself attended the QCAA Principals and Leaders Conference where details of the philosophy and processes of the new senior curriculum, assessment and certification were shared. The importance of the learning journey across K-12 developing 21st century skills of critical thinking, creative thinking, communication, collaboration and teamwork, personal and social skills and effective use of information communication and technology skills were all focuses as was the importance of assessment as a guide for future learning. 

The benefit of having a common pedagogical framework where 21st century skills could be modelled and learnt including space for innovation and entrepreneurial skills was also highlighted. Pacific’s focus on developing these skills and deep understandings through the Teaching for Understanding Framework has us very well placed to make a smooth transition to the new senior certification processes. Unlike other states, the internal assessment will not be scaled on the basis of performance on external assessments. Instead there will be rigorous processes of endorsing Year 12 internal assessment before it is set and external confirmation of teacher judgments once work has been marked. It is important to keep in mind that internal assessment will contribute 75% for most subjects except for mathematics and science, which will be 50%. The new certification process is an evolution of Queensland’s current system that will strengthen student learning and prepare them well for a rapidly changing future. 

In preparation for the move to the new curriculum, which will be encountered by our current Year 9 students in 2019, there has been a change to our Year 9 and 10 offerings and a shift of the two-week Outdoor Education program from Year 10 to Year 9. Senior teachers are also engaging in professional development provided by the QCAA this term to gain an in-depth understanding of the new syllabuses they will be teaching. The College will provide ongoing learning for all of our teachers as we continue to strengthen the development of 21st century skills through our pedagogical framework and the personalisation of student learning across the College. We look forward to sharing further learnings with the community as we progress through this transition.

We look forward to celebrating the important role that Grandparents and Special Friends play in our lives and then being inspired by the artwork of our students at this year’s K-12 Student Art Exhibition on Friday evening. We wish our Junior A Girls, Intermediate A Girls and Intermediate Boys all the best for their basketball grand final matches on Friday night.

We thank God for the blessing of grandparents and special friend in our lives. May God equip us to care for them well.

Dr Bronwyn Dolling, Principal