Summar Harrison

It has been a privilege to welcome Year 12 back to Bathu Horizons House, now as young adults busily working towards their post school opportunities and deeply engaging with their chosen program of study. As the school year began, these learners marked an important milestone— their last ‘first day’ of school. This moment is one of both excitement and reflection, as they step into a year filled with many more ‘lasts’, and ironically so many ‘firsts’ as our original trailblazing cohort at Catherine McAuley Catholic College.

A key theme in my discussions with Year 12 this term will centre around being courageous and assessment ready.

In her Familiar Instructions, Catherine McAuley has this to say of courage: “Should we not then undertake our duties with great courage, for infinite is the love God has for those who repose in [God’s] protection?” With this in mind, I encourage Year 12 to approach their academic duties with great courage, I urge them to step out of their comfort zones; to build upon and maintain resilience, and, always, have the courage to seek support from the many avenues they have available to them at CMCC.

I will implore students to be assessment ready. Being assessment ready means planning, preparing and seeking feedback; however, it also relates to taking care of our wellbeing and developing our own processes that help us to be truly ‘assessment ready’.  The University of Sydney has published a list of 8 student-backed study tips to support students tackling their HSC:

1. Start your day right – Win the morning, win the day.
2. Schedule your study – Organise your time to balance study with your other demands.
3. Be consistent – Make study a habit.
4. Beware of burnout – It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
5. Get a good night’s sleep – Sleep is an ally.
6. Maintain motivation – Reward yourself after you complete each task.
7. Minimise distractions – Leave the phone outside of your study zone.
8. Be kind to yourself – And see Ms Harrison or Mrs Denham if this is becoming tough.

Attendance is more important than ever in this critical time of their academic career. Every learning session helps build strong study habits, reinforces learning, provides valuable opportunities for collaboration and support, and ultimately contributes to their final success.  

Since their summer holiday break, students have hit the ground running. Our three College Captains recently attended the Port Stephens Leadership morning tea at Tomaree High School, hosted by MP Kate Washington where they had the opportunity to engage with other young leaders in the Port Stephens area. A huge thank you to Ms Barnett for facilitating this, and a thank you to our College Captains for representing our school in the greater Port Stephens area.

Upcoming opportunities:

• After school study

The Ursula Frayne Library is available for students to attend supervised study between 3-4pm Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, along with the additional study sessions below. We encourage Year 12 students to use this resource. There are also several teachers offering their skills to support you in your study:

• • Mr Hunter and Mr Wrightson are facilitating Physics study sessions on Monday afternoons.
  • Mrs Bennis is offering an English ‘drop-in’ session Tuesday B week from 3-3:45pm. 
  • Mrs Jordan and Mrs Bowe are facilitating Standard Maths study sessions on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 8am

• Careers:

As always, Ms Barnett is eager to support you with careers related questions. Please pop into her office to see her during the following times:

• • Week A – Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (Break 1)
  • Week B – Monday and Tuesday (Break 2), Wednesday (Break 1 and Before School)

 United in Mercy