The Year 12 study night of Term 2 oversaw great amounts of collaboration, diligence, and concentration among the HSC students at the College. The addition of the “breakout classrooms,” where students of the same subject could study together, also observed immense amounts of student-to-student bonding and accountability for studies beyond the usual day-to-day class and study periods. This remains a valuable time where students become immersively directed toward a consistent habit and structured routine of study, beneficial not only for the preparation towards the next assessment but also towards the HSC exam at large. We hope that Study Night continues to serve as a beneficial time for senior study and grade-wide involvement for the next Year 12s.
In Senior Mentoring, Year 11s and their Year 12 mentors continue to form deep, personal relationships with one another through active conversation about navigating the Year 11 journey. While not just general tips and strategies to manage stress, time management and exam preparation throughout the Preliminary Year, Year 12s also shared their personal experiences in their own schooling journey, commenting on effective study habits, lessons learned and an authentic reflection of their time as a Year 11 student. Senior Mentoring continues to be positively received among both Year 11s and Year 12s, through short sessions every second Thursday, beyond the classroom environment, enriching a positive growth mindset to learning at school and mental clarity to navigate together the challenges of senior schooling. As such, Senior Mentoring remains an integral part of senior College life to create extraordinary learners passionate to serve, and we hope the incoming Year 11/Year 12 cohorts will continue to make this valuable experience a part of their emerging academic journey.
One of the major changes in academics for Term 2 is the opportunity for Year 10 students to choose their HSC subjects. The extraordinary learning team was able to attend this year’s subject expo, and loved chatting with students and parents about what an HSC pattern of study looks like, and how to get the most engagement, fun, and success out of their choices. The team (with a few wonderful additions) also participated in a question panel during a Year 10-year group meeting, to discuss the big-picture factors of subject choices and (hopefully) calm some nerves! We are so excited to see a new senior cohort looking ahead to their HSC studies and continuing to build a positive and engaging culture around class-based academics. The extraordinary learning team wishes them the best, and we encourage them to keep asking questions of their teachers and us as they consider what academics look like next year!
As we gather to celebrate this term’s Academic Awards, we recognise the many ways students demonstrate a commitment to learning and growth. The Recognition of Learning Progress Award acknowledges students who have made significant progress across all aspects of their learning between the last two reporting periods, highlighting the value of perseverance, resilience, and continuous improvement. The Academic Diligence Award recognises those who have consistently embraced every learning opportunity with sustained effort, determination, and a positive attitude towards their studies. While these awards recognise outstanding effort, growth, and achievement, they do not encompass every example of extraordinary learning within our school community. Many students demonstrate remarkable resilience and dedication each day without necessarily receiving formal recognition. Certificates, grades, or awards do not always measure learning; it is also reflected in the willingness to embrace challenges, persevere through setbacks and strive for continual improvement. Whether it is students representing the school on the international stage, such as our Future Problem-Solving team at the World Finals in the USA, or those quietly committing themselves to their studies each day, every learner contributes to the culture of Extraordinary Learning that defines our school.
