2. Use e-mail to keep in touch.

E-mail is a great way to reach your child’s teacher without having t o play phone tag. Teachers then have a record of a conversation or can print information out to put in a student’s file as a reminder. If you hear what your children are struggling in, please feel comfortable talking to the teacher about it. We want to know that they need help.Communication needn’t be limited to when there’s a problem.3. Don’t tell your child that you weren’t good at maths.

Some parents might feel intimidated by the thought of helping children with their maths homework, especially in the upper grades but maths is here to serve you, not to trip you up.Maths should make life easier, and mastery can start at home with parents showing that they’re not frightened by numbers.One way to make math more accessible is to relate it to daily activities. Capitalise on examples where maths is useful, especially the kinds of calculations adults do daily like measuring ingredients, managing sums of money, working out distances. This way, children see how what they’re learning matters in life.4. Get organised.Older students are expected to be more independent and manage their assignments themselves, but as they transition from primary school to middle school, they might find it hard to keep track of everything. Keep a written checklist by their school bags so they can make sure they have packed everything they need. continued . . .

Feb 9: Information Night (6:30pm)Feb 13: Mufti DayFeb 15 - 19: Y9, Y10 Ourdoor Ed Camps

Feb 16 - 18: Y8 Ourdoor Ed CampFeb 16 - 20: Y11 Work ExperienceMar 9: Adelaide Cup Day (Public Holiday)Mar 10: Last day to set summ. assignmentsMar 13: Mufti DayMar 16: Last day to accept summative assignments

prescottCOLLEGE

6 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 5Te r m 1 W e e k 2

datesto remember

2 koonga avenue, prospect, sa e info@prescottcollege.sa.edu.au w www.prescottcollege.com.au p 08 8269 1655

from theprincipal’s

DESKWelcome to all students and families to a new year. For some, there may be a mix of excitement and fear as we anticipate the challenges of a new school year. But the benefits of school are worth the engagement and wholehearted participation. There is also something special about school in the way it offers a fresh start to each of us.And parents are a vital factor in their children’s educational progress too! Here are some ways you can help your child do better at school this year.1. Let your child see you making mistakes.Parents are their child’s first teacher and their lifetime teacher. Part of being a teacher is teaching your child how to deal with making mistakes. Let them see that you can make mistakes and deal with it so they will understand it’s not a big deal and they can cope when they trip up.

MUSIC LESSONS How to Make a Start

Sometimes it is convenient for families to arrange for their child to participate in private instrumental music lessons during school time. If this idea is of interest to you, please ring Mrs Davis at Front Reception or Mrs Emma Thompson and we will do our best to put you in contact with a suitable music teacher.

The way it works is that the music teacher comes to the school and teaches your child during school time. Your child exits class for their music lesson and then returns to class.

At this stage we are simply collecting expressions of interest. The school supports private instrumental tuition by hosting the lessons and ensuring that our music teachers are appropriately qualified, however the financial agreement is between the teacher and the student’s family. The process depends on arrangements working for both the student and the music teacher and is subject to school protocols.

PRESCOTT Great LearninG

What does research say about great learning? Teachers have been looking at this issue in particular over the past several years. In 2014, our goal was to develop a set of key words about learning that are based in educational research, are memorable, and focus on growing student achievement. During that time we have been working closely with Mary Hudson, from the Association of Independent Schools, South Australia.

We have achieved our goal with a word set that is based on the letters in our school name. A word set that reflects key concepts found in research and that strongly relate to quality learning. You can expect to hear more about these words over the coming months. P reparation R isk-taking E ngagement S elf-Health C heck and Reflect O pen-minded T arget - Focussed T enacity

2 koonga avenue, prospect, sa e info@prescottcollege.sa.edu.au w www.prescottcollege.com.au p 08 8269 1655

5. Check their homework, and then have them explain it to you.It’s not enough to just get the answers right. To make sure your children aren’t guessing, sometimes ask them to explain what they did and why. This lets you know that the child has completed the task and for the child to actually explain their work helps their learning.6. Don’t compare your child with others.Don’t put pressure on children to be just like others. There’s no such thing as the child that’s like every other child. They are all different. They all have strengths and weaknesses, they all have talents and challenges.7. Help your child make connections to literature.To help your child get the most out of books, focus on problem-solving, social skills and life experience. Take your child to the zoo (life experience). Teach them to ask an adult for help if they lose something (problem-solving) or to hold the door for others (social skills). With skills like these, children will be able to relate their own life experiences to those of book characters, improving their comprehension. If they don’t have these life experiences, when they are asked to make deeper connections to reading material, it’s hard for them.8. Middle school and high school are not the time to take a more hands-off approach.Just because your children are getting older doesn’t mean it’s time to put them on auto pilot. This is the point in their lives when they’re trying to sort out who they are. Peer pressure is intense and their connectedness to school can wane. High school students have this air about them that they don’t need their parents anymore, but they really do.9. Don’t do everything for your child.Sometimes it’s faster to do things yourself than wait for your children to complete a task. But having everything done for them means they don’t learn take care of themselves. Empower your children to think for themselves and be more responsible for themselves.10. Ask about your child’s day.Stay involved in your child’s education, beyond helping with homework. Even small things, like asking a child what happened at school, can be the difference between a child who unplugs at the end of the day and one who continues thinking about what they learned. Give them the kind of feedback that acknowledges and respects their feelings so they know you are really hearing them.

Mr Craig MattnerAcknowledgement: Mari-Jane Williams.

OUTDOOR EDUCATION CAMPSterM 1 week 4

Week 4 is a special week in the Prescott College calendar. Students in Year 8 to Year 10 participate in their Outdoor Education experience.

Note that there are no school buses running during this time. All students in Years 8 to 10 have already received full information packs and have been preparing for their camps over the past week.

Year 8 students go to Narnu Farm on Hindmarsh Island (Goolwa, South Australia). Their camp begins on Monday 16 February and they return on Wednesday 18 February. Year 8 students have no school on Thursday 19 February and Friday 20 February. NOTE that this IS the correct information for the Year 8 camp. The Calendar has incorrect dates for the Year 8 Camp.

Year 9 students have their camp in the Grampian Mountains (Victoria) based at Halls Gap. During their time at Halls Gap they live in tents, cook their own food, hike on some absolutely beautiful walks with stunning scenery, and have the opportunity to challenge themselves rock climbing, abseiling and more, all under the supervision of outdoor education experts. They leave on Sunday 15 February and return on Thursday 19 February. Year 9 students have no school on Friday 20 February.

Year 10 students enjoy a range of activities including canoeing and hiking in the Glenelg River area (Victoria). They live out of the backpacks they carry. They also have the opportunity of to sand board and surf. Year 10 students leave on Sunday 15 February and return on Thursday 19 February. They have no school on Friday 20 February.

This is a time for students to be challenged, to develop friendships, to experience new environments, and to be encouraging to each other. Prescott College has been running these camps for many years. Our focus is always on the safety and well being of your child. We plan carefully and employ experienced outdoor education specialists for the key learning activities. Please read through the information packs your child has received so that your child is well prepared for their week away from school.

Year 11 students attend their work experience placements during this week. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to experience the world of work. We look forward to hearing their stories and

what they have learned.

Year 12 students do travel to school each day. It will be their responsibility to make their own way to school or to arrange to get to school because the normal Prescott College bus services will not be running during this week.

Some of their time will be spent in classes. There are also events planned to grow their teamwork skills. One of the special events planned for this week is a day of participation in the P.A.R.T.Y. Prevent Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth program. P.A.R.T.Y. participants spend time with staff in the Emergency/Trauma Centre, the Intensive Care Unit, Trauma Wards, and Rehab units of the hospital getting an up front, true to life experience of the impact of trauma on young lives.

Please note:

There is something for everyone during this week. I am sure you understand that there has been a lot of planning to get ready for this week. Please make yourself aware of the preparation requirements for your child or children so that things can run as smoothly as possible. Thank you.

If you have any questions, please call the school on 8269 1655 and make contact with the leader for your child’s year group. The leaders are:

Year 8: Dr John Lewis

Year 9: Mr Aaron Ford

Year 10: Mr Peter Charleson

Year 11: Mrs Elizabeth Schwarz

Year 12: Ms Elizabeth Ludlow, Mrs Rika Watson

2 koonga avenue, prospect, sa e info@prescottcollege.sa.edu.au w www.prescottcollege.com.au p 08 8269 1655

2 koonga avenue, prospect, sa e info@prescottcollege.sa.edu.au w www.prescottcollege.com.au p 08 8269 1655

IMMUNISATIONSYear 8

There is an information sheet attached with this newsletter that provides details about immunisation opportunities for Year 8 students. The date for immunisations is Wednesday 10 April 2015 (Week 10 of Term 1).

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIESFor aLL StudentS and ParentS

For things to run well in a community, good communication and understanding of each person’s rights and responsibilities is important. To this end, we ask that each student and their parents/guardians take the time to read and understand the rights and responsibilities as outlined in the Prescott College student diary.

Please go through and read the front pages of your child’s diary. This will give you a good understanding about how things work at Prescott College. We ask that you and your child then sign on page 40 to acknowledge your acceptance. Your child’s Home Room teacher will soon be collecting the signed forms.

We want to thank you for being a part of Prescott College.

NAPLANinForMation

Year 9 students have recently brought home some forms for the collection of information relating to the National Assessment, and in particular, the NAPLAN program. Please complete these forms and return them to school as soon as possible.

Prescott College supports the government position that each child should sit their NAPLAN tests. Parents do have the right, however, to withdraw their child from the NAPLAN program. If you wish to remove your child from NAPLAN, then please contact the Principal, Mr Craig Mattner, to discuss this further.

The NAPLAN tests for this year are to be held in the week starting 11 May (Week 3 of Term 2).

INFORMATION EVENING ParentS and StudentS

DATE: 9th Feb 2015, Monday (Tomorrow)

WHEN: 6:30pm

6:30pm: Share a light meal with the teachers in the outdoor classroom area at the back of the school on Ballville Street. Simply show up. Bring nothing other than yourselves. Students are welcome too.

7:30pm start. A welcome, devotional (meet our new school Chaplain, Pr Joe), teacher introduction session and remarks from the Principal will make up the first half. The second half will comprise three concurrent breakout sessions.

Year 8 and new Year 9 students

See and hear how you can help your child be successful at school. This session is for families of Year 8 students in particular, and for families of new students in Year 9.

Where: Chapel - Mr Littlewood, Miss Hopkins

Year 10 students

Personal Learning Plan and important SACE information. This session is for families of Year 10 students.

Where: Room C - Mrs Willis, Dr Lewis

Year 11 and Year 12 students

Find out or remind yourself about the SACE requirements including Research Project, Open Access Subjects, Study Time and the Year 12 Trip. This is for families of Year 11 or Year 12 students.

Where: Lab 1 - Mr Charleson, Mr Mattner

The program should conclude at about 8:30pm, depending on how many questions you have. Plan to be there. We are confident the evening will be useful and informative. We are looking forward to meeting with you this coming Monday.

If you have any questions, please feel welcome to call the school on 8269 1655.

2 koonga avenue, prospect, sa e info@prescottcollege.sa.edu.au w www.prescottcollege.com.au p 08 8269 1655

GIVE A SPEECHdon’t write an eSSaY

There’s a huge difference between crafting a speech and writing an essay, yet too many people approach them in the same way. The average adult can read 300 words per minute, but can follow a speech at only half that rate. Speeches require you to simplify. To make sure your audience stays with you, state your thesis and lay out the structure of your speech first. Then, let listeners know where you are with signpost words (“second,” “finally,” etc). Lead or end an argument with statistics, but don’t recite strings of numbers. The human brain is wired for narrative, so focus on telling a compelling story. Remember when delivering a speech, you are your punctuation. Use your voice, hand gestures, pacing, and your position on stage for emphasis.

Adapted from “A Speech Is Not an Essay” by John Coleman.

ASSESSMENTiMPortant inForMation

Each person possibly has their own perspective on what is meant by this word; many of them shaped by their own experiences. Educational assessment has changed much since the days when the whole years work was based on one three-hour examination held at the conclusion of the year.

Interestingly, the word assessment comes from a Latin word that means to sit beside, and the modern way of looking at assessment comes from that paradigm. In this context, assessment can be used as a way of informing teaching, developing learning and evaluating understanding.

This year Prescott College is altering the way that we assess the Year 8 – 10 students. This change is supported by research, coincides with government expectations and will enable us to support your child’s learning in an improved way. We have been

fortunate to have the Association of Independent Schools (South Australia) providing us with additional resources and professional development to help smooth the transition.

Each fortnight in the Newsletter there will be a small segment sharing more about the changes that we are making, what these changes mean in practice and some of their implications. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to ask us. And thank you for making us your partner in the education of your child.

SCHOOL CARD Fee aSSiStance

The School Card system provides a mechanism whereby families in certain circumstances can receive financial assistance with fee costs for their children.

Details can be found on the SA Government website:

Those eligible for School Card must reapply at the beginning of each school year. Forms are available from the Front Office. Forms have been sent to a number of families already. If you need one and do not have one, please come and pick one up or phone us to have one sent to you.

Please fill in the form and bring it with your Health Care Card to the office as soon as possible. The sooner we can lodge the forms the sooner we will hear if you are eligible. Please note that full school fees will be debited to your account until School Card approval has been received.

If you need assistance to fill in the forms, please phone the Front Office on 8269 1655 to make an appointment.

... becauseyour child matters