Principal Report

For over 16 years Carol Wells, has been part of the Mooroolbark College Council with the last 8 years as President.  At the beginning of 2018, Carol stepped down from this role. The support and the leadership Carol has provided has ensured that the College has been on a journey of continuous improvement.  On Monday the College officially thanked Carol for her service to the community with a small presentation.

Over the past week, students at Mooroolbark College have been involved in voting for their elected student members of College Council.  I would like to congratulate Jack Schofield and Sharni Webb on their election to the Mooroolbark College Council. I am certain they will represent the students with passion and pride. I would like to thank all the students who nominated and the large proportion of students who voted.

At Mooroolbark College, we are committed to ensuring all students have the necessary literacy and numeracy skills so that they can excel in their chosen areas of passion. 

If your child is in Year 7 or 8, there will be an additional report provided at the end of the term reporting on the work your child has undertaken during the Independent Reading Program. Each day from Monday to Thursday, every Year 7 and 8 student undertakes a block of Independent Reading. This block of 35 minutes, includes 3 activities, silent reading, a piece of reflection writing which is aimed at developing higher order thinking skills and finally a literacy activity.This quote sums up why developing student’s ability to read, write and comprehend the written text is so important. “If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others will do their thinking for them.”  George Orwell.  If you have any questions about the Independent Reading program at Mooroolbark College, please contact Sarah Garnaut, the College’s Literacy Coordinator.

The second change to the Year 7 and 8 curriculum is the introduction of Open Ended Tasks in all Mathematics classes.  Skill development in mathematics is extremely important, but equally important is the ability for students to problem solve and to transfer skills and knowledge between tasks and situations. Once a week students work in a collaborate manner to devise solutions to mathematical based problems.The College has been working with Peter Sullivan (Monash University) in the development of these tasks. “Too often we give children answers to remember rather than problems to solve.”  Roger Lewin.  Zac Parr, the College’s Numeracy Coordinator is available if you have any questions about Open Ended Tasks in Mathematics.

I would like to wish our Year 10 and 11 students the all the best as they begin their mid-year exams on Monday. Whilst exams provide a summative assessment of student learning, undertaking exams prior to Year 12 also sets students up for success for the future.Year 10 and 11 exams provide students with an opportunity to learn how to study effectively, manage the stress of exams and manage their time. Doing an exam doesn’t just measure how much you know, it helps reinforce the learning and make it more likely that you can retrieve the same information later.  

Year 10 Work Experience commences on Monday 24th June, I hope all Year 10 students make the most of this wonderful opportunity.  Work experience allows students to experience what it is like to work a full week in industry and in an adult environment.It may confirm career choices, but it is also equally valuable if it highlights that a particular industry is not for them.  Each child will get something different out of the experience. Going into the placement with energy, enthusiasm and a positive attitude will get the best results. I have read many work experience reports over the years and I can say without a doubt, that “initiative” is something employees are also keen to observe. 

Best wishes for the final 4 weeks of Term 2.

Ann Stratford
Principal