From the Acting Leader of Wellbeing - Year 9
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students of Year 9,
Welcome back to Term 3! I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable break. As we start the second semester, I want to share some important information and messages to help guide our journey forward.
During Term 2, we had our parent-student-teacher conferences where we discussed your goals. Now is a great time to reflect on those goals and see how we can adjust them to achieve even more during the second semester. In the next few weeks I will be sharing these goals with you and your parents, to help open up conversations about learning at home.
To assist parents in starting these conversations, here is a simple framework:
- Ask your child about their goals: “Can you remind me what your goals were from last term?”
- Discuss progress: “What do you think has been going well? Where do you think there’s room for improvement?”
- Set new action steps: “What small steps can we take to help you improve further?”
- Offer support: “How can I support you in achieving these goals?”
By engaging in these discussions, we can help students stay focused and motivated throughout the semester. Staying motivated during the second semester is important as Year 9 is a crucial time for forming effective learning habits and contributing positively to our College community. There are two quotes I’d like you to keep in mind this semester:
- “The true test of a person's character is what they do when no one is watching.” Remember this as you work hard and put in extra effort, even when it seems like no one is noticing. This dedication will help you succeed.
- “Whether you think you can, or you think you can't – you're right.” Believing in yourself is crucial. If you think you can improve this semester, you will. Focus on the small things: ask questions in class, complete extra practice questions, seek feedback from your teachers, form study groups with your friends, and attend the Learning Centre each Tuesday and Wednesday. These small steps, often considered the 1 percenters, will boost your confidence and learning ability.
On a personal note, thank you to everyone who asked about my recent attempt to complete the 100 km Elephant Trail Race. This challenging mountain race, held annually in Port Macquarie, has been the focus of my consistent training for almost two years. My goal this year was to complete 100 km and return with a finishers medal. Despite training with an injury and having many valid reasons to reconsider, I’m pleased to share that I achieved my goal, placing 10th overall and 2nd in my age group. I hope this accomplishment inspires you to believe in yourselves and demonstrates that the messages I often share with you are more than just words; they are mindsets which are real and achievable, and they can lead to great success.
Thank you, parents, for your continued support, and thank you to our fantastic students for returning to school this term with such enthusiasm. Let’s make Term 3 a great one!
With warm regards,
Mr. Nathan Weaver
Acting Year 9 Leader of Wellbeing