YEAR 7 2020WELCOME GUIDE

2 |

Welcome to the Class of 2025 Meet the Heads of Community at Servite Important Dates for 2020 College Contacts Medical Management 2020 Booklist Student Lockers Our Uniform Mobile Phones Map of Campus iPads Daily Procedure Times of Day Transitioning to Secondary School Community Domain The Cafe and FlexiSchools Travelling to School Learning Domain Parent Communication Ministry Domain Timetable Co-curricular Activities Tips for Students and Parents Study Habits and Getting Organised

TABLE OF CONTENTS

P 3 PP 4-5 P 6 P 7 P 7 P 8 P 8 P 9 P 9 PP 10-11 PP 12-13 PP 14 P 15 PP 16 P 17 P 18 P 19 PP 20-21 P 22 P 23 P 23 P 24 P 25 PP 26-27

| 3

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Welcome to the Class of 2025 We are stewards of the historic Servite tradition established by our Seven Holy Founders in 1233, just outside of Florence, Italy. To this day, Servite College believes that it is a community of faith, where we work and study not as individuals but as a safe and caring community. We encourage our students to have the courage to lead’ and grow as people of service in our community.

This is a really exciting time to be part of the Servite community as we embrace and combine the virtual, pedagogical and physical spaces to create a learning environment where every student succeeds. We recognise that the spaces in which our students, work, live and learn have a profound effect on how they feel, behave and perform. We have embarked on a dynamic building plan that includes refurbishment of existing facilities and new buildings.

Transitioning from primary to secondary schooling is a big step for both our new Year 7 students and their families. We understand that our students need skills to navigate this new territory and that our Servite families need to understand these skills so that they can support their child at home.

We have a dynamic learning environment in Year 7, that is designed around our student’s natural curiosity – we want to harness their bright eyes and active brains as they begin their learning journey with us. We want your child to discover their own personal learning trajectory – we want them to discover a range of subjects so that they can see what they are good at, what they need to improve on, what they are passionate about and what doesn’t suit them

Next year your child will be given the opportunity to learn languages, cooking, textiles, media (including photography) dance, drama, visual arts, music, robotics and coding along with core subjects of Religious Education, Science, English, Maths, Humanities and Health and Physical Education.

The curriculum is dynamic and evolving and has been created to generate lots of excitement as our Year 7 students discover new skills and become really involved in their learning.

We encourage great success but we also celebrate failure – we know that it is in failing that we truly learn, it is also in failure that we learn persistence and a growth mindset that forces us to focus and improve. We want to give your child time to become accustomed to their new routines, environment and study schedule and therefore have a formation program that transitions them into secondary schooling.

This program is literacy and numeracy focused whilst including a STEM (Science/Technologies/Engineering/Maths) project that our students complete collaboratively. The program is designed to be fun whilst developing the skills necessary for your child to access the Servite curriculum and thrive.

Our lesson structure for Year 7s is based on brain and educational research. Our teachers understand that it is vital to awaken the brains of our Year 7s within the first few minutes of class.

We want you to feel assured that your child’s needs are safe in our hands as we will strive to engage both their heart and head and give them new opportunities and skills to discover all that they are created to be.

I wish you every blessing as you become part of our learning community. Jeff Allen Principal

STEWARDSHIP DOMAIN

4 |

MEET THE HEADS OF COMMUNITY

MR MARCUS ALLEN

MR BRETT DAYMAN

MR DEAN ROBINETT

Marcus.Allen@ servite.wa.edu.au

Brett.Dayman@ servite.wa.edu.au

Dean.Robinett@ servite.wa.edu.au

| 5

MRS ROSE MCAULIFFE

MRS JILL MELBOURNE

MR WAYNE WILKES

Rosemarie.McAuliffe@ servite.wa.edu.au

Jill.Melbourne@ servite.wa.edu.au

Wayne.Wilkes@ servite.wa.edu.au

6 |

IMPORTANT DATES

Term 1

3 February - 9 April 2020

For students in Year 7, 11 and 12 and all other new students 4 February - 9 April 2020

For students in Year 8, 9 and 10

Monday 3 February 2020 is the first day of the school year for Year 7 students and all new students to the College. Year 7, 11 and 12 students attend school for the full day, from 8.40am to 3.20pm. New Year 8, 9 and 10 students attend school from 8.40am until Recess (10.50am - 11.10am)

Term 2

29 April - 3 July 2020

Term 3

22 July - 25 September 2020

Term 4

13 October - 11 December 2020

2020 Public Holidays

1 January New Year’s Day

27 January Australia Day Holiday

2 March Labour Day

10 April Good Friday

13 April Easter Monday

25 April Anzac Day

27 April Anzac Day Holiday

1 June Western Australia Day

28 September Queen’s Birthday

25 December Christmas Day

26 December Boxing Day

28 December Box Day Holiday Year 7 Formation Camp 26 - 28 February 2020

WA Public Holidays

Dates correct at time of printing

| 7

COLLEGE CONTACTS

Key Contact

Student Absentee Student Reception College Reception ICT Helpdesk / Library Uniform Shop College Counsellor Enrolments Parents and Friends

9208 0999 0477 700 714 (Text Line) absent@servite.wa.edu.au 9208 0802 studentreception@servite.wa.edu.au 9208 0900 admin@servite.wa.edu.au 9208 0970 helpdesk@servite.wa.edu.au 9208 0946 uniform@servite.wa.edu.au Mr Steve Morrison 9208 0861 counsellor@servite.wa.edu.au enrolment@servite.wa.edu.au pandf@servite.wa.edu.au

Details

MEDICAL MANAGEMENT FORM

The parents/guardians of students with chronic conditions or medical concerns are required to provide the College with a Medical Management Plan, and any medication prescribed on those plans. Medical Management Plans can be collected from Main Reception or requested from: studentreception@servite.wa.edu.au

Please contact Student Reception should you wish to discuss your child’s Medical Management Plan, or for ongoing renewal of processes and procedures in this regard: Telephone: 9208 0802

8 |

Our College partners with an Australian company, Box of Books. a world leader in the provision of physical and digital education resources to support our students education for the 2020 school year. Through Box of Books, Servite delivers better student ergonomics through reduced schoolbag weight, helps to support the environment through cutting down less trees for physical books while also providing a leading platform for enhanced education resources for every student. Our students have access to enhanced texts and publisher resources through our seamlessly delivered and simple to use platforms that they will access using their school credentials.

2020 BOOKLIST

The Box of Books platform is available to students in both an on-line and off-line reader platform, ensuring access to their resources independent of location and on a variety of devices including tablets, phones and laptops. All our booklist resources are supplied via Box of Books. Using the Box of Books online store, families can easily order and arrange payment and delivery of both the physical and digital resources. Specific details will be sent to families directly with our 2020 booklist towards the end of 2019.

LOCKERS

All students are allocated a locker and a school issued lock. Your child’s locker is their responsibility and becomes their ‘go to’ area. It is important that they are organised and get into good habits early. Students must always have their lock on their locker and should never tell anyone their lock combination. All books and files should be clearly labelled with their name. Students must always lock away their valuables (phone, wallet, etc). Should your child have any trouble with their locker or lock, or should they need to purchase a replacement lock, they need to visit Student Reception to discuss this with their Head of Community

| 9

OUR UNIFORM

Regular Uniform Shop open hours are: During the Term:

Monday 8.00am - 1.30pm

Tuesday 1.00pm - 4.30pm

Wednesday 8.00am - 11.30am Special Opening Hours:

Special hours are in place over the school holiday periods and are advertised in the online iServi Newsletter. Please contact our Uniform Shop Manager, Mrs Michelle Di Lanzo to discuss any uniform queries by phone on 9208 0946 or via email to uniform@servite.wa.edu.au

How to book a uniform fitting for a new incoming student:

Appointments for 2020 Year 7 students and all new students are available on dedicated dates for your convenience. New Student Uniform Fittings:

• 14, 21 & 28 November (2pm-6pm)

• 16 & 17 December (9am-3pm)

• 28 January (12pm – 6pm)

• 29 January (9am – 3pm)

• 30 January (12pm - 6pm)

• 31 January (9am - 3pm)

To book your appointment via Trybooking, please visit the following link https://www.trybooking.com/BGQSU

MOBILE PHONES

The College recognises that on occasion, mobile phones may be useful / necessary for students to bring to school for safety or communication reasons. The College encourages responsible and courteous use of mobile phones:

• All phones are to be secured in student lockers during the day

• Students are not permitted to use mobile phones during school time, unless permission is given by a teacher.

• Parents are requested to only contact students via mobile telephone at the conclusion of the school day. At any other time in case of emergency, parents may telephone Student Reception on 9208 0802

10 |

CAMPUS MAP

| 11

12 |

| 13

iPADS FOR STUDENTS IN YEAR 7, 2020

All Year 7 students will be issued with an iPad to enhance their learning at Servite College in 2020. iPads are to be collected from the Alexis Research Centre during one of the below sessions prior to the commencement of the 2020 school year. If you are unable to collect your iPad during these dates, please email helpdesk@servite.wa.edu.au

IMPORTANT: Students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when collecting their device as there will be a loan device agreement to be completed and signed by the parent/guardian and the student.

Wednesday 22 January 2020

Thursday 23 January 2020

Session One 8.30am to 10.30am

Session Two 2.30pm to 4.30pm

Session One 8.30am to 10.30am

Session Two 2.30pm to 4.30pm

14 |

DAILY PROCEDURE

What happens in Homeroom?

Homeroom is the first class of each day and takes 15 minutes. Homeroom is important as it is a time for students to meet with their Homeroom Teacher who will take attendance, check uniforms and read the daily notices.

Homeroom is an opportunity for students to build positive relationships and develop teamwork skills as students are involved in a range of activities including circles, brain breaks and games that not only build connections but activate the brain so that students are ‘learning ready’.

What do I do if my child will be absent from school?

If your child will be absent from school, please notify the College before 9.00am by sending a text to 0477 700 714; calling the Student Absentee Line on 9208 0999, or by emailing: studentreception@servite.wa.edu.au.

What do I do if my child will be late to school?

If your child will be late arriving at school for any reason, please notify the College by 9.00am by sending a text to 0477 700 714; calling the Student Absentee Line 9208 0999, or by emailing studentreception@servite.wa.edu.au. When your child arrives at school, they must sign in at Student Reception before going to their next class.

What do I do if my child needs to leave school early?

If your child needs to leave school early for any reason, please notify the College beforehand, by sending a text to 0477 700 714; calling Student Reception on 9208 0802, or by emailing: studentreception@servite.wa.edu.au

Kindly advise of the reason for early departure and if students need to be picked up by anyone other than their parent / guardian, the College will require notification of these details in advance.

This will allow your child to leave the classroom and meet you or the authorised person in Student Reception to be signed out.

What do I do if I need to visit the school grounds?

All visitors to the College must sign in at College Reception, where they will receive a Visitor’s Pass. When you are leaving, we ask that you please visit Reception again to sign out.

Leaving Materials at Student Reception for Students to collect?

Students occasionally forget materials they need for school and ask their parents to drop these off at the College for them. On such occasions, parents are permitted to leave the item at Student Reception, who will send an email to the student to advise. It is the student’s responsibility to collect the item from Student Reception, as it will not be delivered personally to the student.

| 15

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

8.45am Homeroom

8.55am Change bell

9.00am Period 1

9.55am Period 2

10.50am Recess

11.10am End of Recess Bell

11.15am Period 3

12.10pm Period 4

1.00pm Lunch

1.35pm End of Lunch bell

1.40pm Period 5

2.30pm Period 6

3.20pm Bus

Wednesday / 7 Session Day

8.45am Homeroom

8.55am Change bell

9.00am PCP/ Assembly

9.45am Period 1

10.30am Period 2

11.15am Recess

11.35am End of Recess Bell

11.40am Period 3

12.25pm Period 4

1.10pm Lunch

1.45pm End of Lunch bell

1.50pm Period 5

2.35pm Period 6

3.20pm Bus

TIMES OF THE DAY

16 |

TRANSITIONING INTO SERVITE

What happens on the first day?

For Years 7, 11 and 12 students, the first day is a full day from 8.40am to 3.20pm. For Year 8, 9 and 10 students, the first day is from 8.40am to Recess (10.40am-11.10am). All students are to wear their College Summer Uniform. Students will not need all of their books, but basic stationery is required. New students will begin their first day by meeting in the College Auditorium, then spend the rest of the morning with their Homeroom Teacher and Student Leaders where they will be given timetables, Student Diaries, locks and allocated lockers etc. All students are allocated a Year 11 Buddy who assists them in their transition to the College.

After recess, Year 7, 11 and 12 students will follow a modified timetable to allow students to meet their subject teachers and to begin to find their way around the school.

Are parents involved in the first day?

Pop Up Coffee Bar 8.00am Monday 3 February 2020

Yes! From 8.00am on Monday 3 February, all parents of newly commencing students are warmly invited to our Pop Up Coffee Bar at St Juliana Square.

| 17

COMMUNITY DOMAIN

What is the Pastoral Care system at Servite?

Pastoral care at Servite is based on a deep respect for the dignity and uniqueness of the individual person as we are all made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Our program is based on positive psychology research promoting a proactive approach to student wellbeing, the valuing safe communities curriculum whilst embedding the principals of the Berry Street Education model. At Servite, all students and staff belong to one of six Priories – Annunziata, Senario, San Clemente, Saint Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows and Saint Anthony. Each Priory contains seven Homerooms. The Pastoral Care system at Servite is vertical, which means that Homerooms are made up of students from all year levels. Your child will have regular opportunities to interact with students from a variety of year groups. Students remain in the same Homeroom, with the same Homeroom Teacher, throughout their time at the College. To enhance student wellbeing our Pastoral Care Programs are delivered in Year Groups. In 2020 Pastoral Care will be on Wednesday morning and will address issues relevant to the particular age group. Students wear their Priory Uniforms.

What is the role of the Homeroom Teacher?

The Homeroom Teacher has the most important role in our Priory system. The Homeroom Teacher is responsible for creating a safe and happy environment where each student is personally known and valued and feels an integral part of the College. The Homeroom Teacher is a mentor for each student and is responsible for taking attendance, checking uniforms, reading the daily notices, checking Student Diaries, processing student reports and assisting students with their studies. The Homeroom Teacher is your first point of call for any questions or concerns regarding your child.

What is the role of the Head of Community?

Each Priory is guided by a Head of Community (HOC) responsible for the overall wellbeing of the students, and support of the Homeroom Teachers within that Priory. They have the role of liaising with parents, Homeroom Teachers and Heads of Learning Areas in tracking student progress and resolving pastoral issues. Heads of Community are responsible for organising Priory activities, year level activities and whole school events, as well as the selection of Student Leaders who will work with them to ensure the smooth running of their Priory.

18 |

During the registration process you might be asked to provide your child’s StudentID. This is located on their SmartRider as the Student Number. To register, go to www.flexischools.com.au For assistance, please call 1300 361 769 or contact help@flexischools.com.au or as your first point of contact. Your Child’s ID number has been associated with the other email and will need to be moved to your new email address. Any further issues, please contact helpdesk@servite.wa.edu.au

When can my child use the Café?

The Cafe opens every day for breakfast before school, Recess and Lunch. Students may not visit the Cafe at any other times.

SERVITE CAFE

Servite Café Cashless Card Payment Option – Flexischools

For the convenience of the Servite community, the College offers an alternative payment method for purchases at the Servite Café – Flexischools. Please note that the Servite Café does still accept cash payments. The Flexischools cashless card system links a student’s existing StudentID/SmartRider card to a pre-loaded account, giving students the ability to make purchases without cash. Flexischools will send you a confirmation email with instructions to setup your account. If you do not wish to use the Flexischools system, do not set up an account. The Flexischools system allows you to limit the daily spend per child and includes an automatic top-up option so they never go without access to funds. Students will be able to use the barcode on their Student ID/SmartRider cards to access to make purchases. Please note that the funds you add to the SmartRider for TransPerth or Horizons West are separate to the funds you add to the Flexischools system.

| 19

TRAVELLING TO SCHOOL

What time does my child need to arrive at school every day?

All students must arrive at school by 8.40am, ready to begin Homeroom at 8.45am. Students are expected to have been to their lockers and to be organised for their first two periods by the time they arrive at Homeroom.

Where can I drop off and pick up my child?

The drop off and pick up zone is located in the car park on the eastern end of the College, and can be accessed via Morgans Street, as indicated on this map. The car parks on the College side of Cape Street are bus zones before and after school, so pick and set down is not available in these areas during these times.

Does the College have bus services?

Yes. The College offers two private bus routes, run by Horizons West The routes can be accessed on the College website at the following link:

https://www.servite.wa.edu.au/contact/

Students travelling on the above routes, tag on and tag off the bus with their SmartRider card. Parents prepay online with a minimum of $20, into an account linked to the students’ SmartRider card. Money deposited for the Horizons West Bus cannot be used for Transperth buses or the College Cafe. Each account is separate.

Any student in the College who intends to use either one of these private buses must be registered. To do this, the student must bring his/her SmartRider card to the College Library to have the card scanned and added to our register.

You will also now have the opportunity to download an App and see in real time the location of the Bus.

Which Transperth services are available?

Transperth train services are accessible at Glendalough and Stirling train stations, and a list of Transperth bus services accessible to Servite students is available at the following link:

https://www.servite.wa.edu.au/contact/

Please use the Transperth Journey Planner for detailed information on times and routes. Returning buses depart from the bus stops at the front of the school along Cape Street.

SmartRider?

A SmartRider is the electronic ticketing system available to everyone who uses Transperth trains, buses or ferries.

Servite College has negotiated with the Public Transport Authority to issue SmartRider cards (free for initial card).

The information released to the PTA is a student photo, student name, date of birth, address and student number.

The PTA must comply with the privacy requirements for the public sector and will only be issuing the information provided by the College for the issuance of a Student SmartRider concession card.

SmartRider cards are arranged by the College and issued within the first few weeks of school to all Year 7 students. If the card is lost, a new card can be ordered through Student Reception upon payment of $5.00.

Should you have any queries, please contact Servite College Student Reception or the Transperth lnfoline on 13 62 13.

Can my child ride to school?

Yes. Bike racks are available on the College Campus. It is the responsibility of your child to ensure that their bike is secured with a chain or lock, as the College cannot take responsibility for damaged or stolen bikes. Helmets must be worn by students travelling to and from the College.

20 |

LEARNING DOMAIN

Servite College is a dynamic community. As we learn, we acquire and develop memories and behaviors, including skills, knowledge, understanding, values and wisdom. Learning is the goal of education and the product of experience. Learning is a process.

Servite has adopted an inquiry approach to holistic learning that deepens understanding and builds on knowledge through local and global contexts.

At Servite we

• Develop skills in thinking and other key approaches to learning

• Design learning opportunities where all students can experience success – personalised learning

• Use various approaches to learning and contemporary tools that support the creation, use and transference of knowledge

• Reflect and evaluate to promote a critical awareness of one’s own learning

• Articulate high expectations that when implemented will lead to optimum student outcomes

• Plan for purposeful teaching

• Target professional learning for teachers that focuses on developing the core attributes and capacities of an effective teacher

Servite delivers an integrated curriculum, challenging the creativity, initiative and ability of each student.

Our curriculum is attentive to the current and future needs of the individual in this century and how each student best learns. We encourage all to work to the best of their ability, by aiming to provide authentic, relevant and dynamic learning opportunities that are formed around an intercultural awareness, holistic learning and effective means of communication.

Students are shown that learning takes place at school and at home in partnership with teachers, their families and themselves. Servite develops partnerships with the wider community to enable the sharing of resources and facilitate community based learning and growth.

| 21

When our students come to us in Year 7, bright eyed and excited about the beginning of their learning journey at Servite, we tap into our students natural curiousity. We are conscious of providing a transition to secondary school that encourages each individual to discover their own personal learning trajectory. We want our students to experience a range of subjects so that they can see what they are good at, identify their areas for growth and develop interests they are passionate about.

Core subjects• English• Health and Physical Education• Humanities• Maths• Religious Education

• Science

Elective subjects

• Technologies (Robotics, Coding, Textiles, Food and Woodwork)

• Performing Arts (Dance, Drama)• The Arts (Media, Art, Music)

• Languages (Indonesian and Italian)

We want our Year 7 students to build their capacity for research skills, time management, study strategies and working collaboratively and independently as this skill set is important right throughout their secondary schooling. We encourage our students to learn from their successes and their failures as we see this as a first attempt in learning. It is, after all, in failing that we truly learn, it is also in failure that we learn persistence and develop a growth mindset that forces us to grow and learn.

We see our Year 7 students as natural inquirers, seeking answers and knowledge as we foster their curiosity in a dynamic learning environment that meets their personal needs. How much homework should my child be doing?

We focus on study techniques in Term 1 as this is an important skill that our students need to master. In Term 2 homework will be introduced with students taught how to create a study/homework timetable. There are lots of good tips about study habits on page 26. What should I do if my child has difficulty with a subject?

If your child has difficulty with a subject, contact the subject teacher via email. All staff email addresses follow the same format:

firstname.surname@servite.wa.edu.au

Alternatively, please call College Reception on 9208 0900

22 |

PARENT COMMUNICATION

Who do I contact if I have any questions?

If you have concerns regarding your child at any stage of their schooling, it is best to inform the school so that we are able to support where possible. Whether the concern relates to your child’s academic progress, behaviour or emotional well-being, there are different people whom you can approach at the school. If the concern is related to your child’s academic progress in a particular subject, you may discuss your concerns with the Subject Teacher. Other people who you can discuss your concerns with are your child’s Homeroom Teacher, Head of Community, Deputy Principal and Vice Principal. Servite also has a College Counsellor who is able to offer support in a number of areas.

There are three main people you should contact, depending on your question:

• Your child’s Homeroom Teacher – questions relating to Pastoral Care

• Your child’s Subject Teacher – questions relating to the child’s subjects

• College Reception – administrative questions

What is the best way to contact a teacher?

Email is the easiest way to contact your child’s teachers. All Servite staff email addresses follow the same format: firstname.surname@servite.wa.edu.au

Alternatively, please call College Reception on 9208 0900

| 23

Liturgy and Retreats

Our community celebrates its faith through various liturgies and participation in retreats. These events are rich opportunities for all our students to come together and reflect, share and celebrate who we are as a catholic community. Throughout the year opportunities also exist for our students families to join us in these celebrations.

MINISTRY DOMAIN

A Faith Community

At Servite, students from a variety of cultures and religions are united in a common journey of formation as young adults. Our students and families place a strong importance on core values and a holistic education as the foundation for personal growth. As a community we integrate faith, life and culture throughout our daily life. We seek to embrace opportunities for personal and social transformation in all our students as they learn to respond to our Servite calling to serve others and make a positive impact on the world.

Christian Service Learning

Christian Service Learning forms part of our school curriculum. It is an educational activity that contributes to the development of our students as just, compassionate and courageous young people. All our students participate in a variety of activities each year.

Our Christian Service Learning program goes beyond giving, encouraging our students to encountering others, learn about the dignity and needs of others and about God reaching out to and through each person.

Details of our Christian Service Learning program are available at: https://arc.servite.wa.edu.au/christian-service-learning

24 |

EXAMPLE TIMETABLE

The following outlines an example timetable. It is to give you an idea of what your child’s timetable will look like when they start at Servite. Students will receive their own timetable on the first day. It will look similar to this: but will be personalised with their own teachers, rooms and subjects.

Co-curricular activities offered?

We offer a wide range of academic, sporting, creative and spiritual co-curricular activities. Programs include inter-school sports, our music program, drama and dance productions, a range of national and international trips, and social events for year groups such as the River Cruise, Dinner Dance and Ball.

How can my child get involved?

Once the school year begins, sign-ups for various co-curricular activities will be advertised in the daily notices. It will typically involve attending a meeting during Break time to receive information, ask any questions and sign up.

Alternatively, students can contact the staff member in charge of the extra-curricular activity for more information

What is NAS and how can my child get involved?

The Northern Associated Schools (NAS) inter-school sports competition is organised by the Associated Catholic Colleges (ACC). Through NAS, Servite College competes with 4 other schools in our district – Newman College, John XXIII College, Sacred Heart College and Chisholm College. The competition is only for Term 1 and Term 2, with different year levels competing on different days of the week. Your child can get involved in NAS by attending the trials which are held early in each term.

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

| 25

TRANSITION TIPS FOR STUDENTS

TRANSITION TIPS FOR PARENTS

The first day of Secondary School is a very exciting time for Year 7 students and equally exciting for older students joining from other schools. The following tips should help to make your first day, week, term and year at Servite go smoothly.

• Get organised and make sure that you have everything ready that you need to start school

• Make sure that you know how you are getting to school and work out what time you need to wake up so that you are ready in time

• If you are not sure of something, make sure you ask someone. You may talk to your parents, teachers, friends or your Head of Community

• Remember, on the first day you are not expected to know how everything works or where to find everything - the other newsly commencing students are probably unsure as well

• Catch up with friends who you know are going to Servite College over the Christmas holidays if possible and talk to them about going to high school

• You could also organise to go to school with a friend on the first day so you can help each other find your way around

• Most importantly, have fun!

Moving to a new school can be challenging for some students. While it is an exciting time, it can also be a time that is filled with a variety of emotions including anxiety, fear and uncertainty. The following tips are for you to help your child transition to Secondary School:

• Get excited with your child. Talk about how great school will be – what he/she will learn and the new friends he/she will make. Your child will generate an excited and enthusiastic energy if you do.

• Let your child go shopping with you for his/her new school items eg. Stationery

• Organise for your child to see some friends who will also be going, or are already students at Servite College, just before the beginning of the school year. This will give him/her a chance to talk to his/her peers about moving to Servite. Getting in touch with friends just before the beginning of school can make it easier on the first day.

• If your child is catching public transport to school for the first time, go through the timetables and have a practice run in the holidays. It is better to make the mistakes in the holidays than on the first day of school.

• Encourage your child to get organised early and begin talking about goals

• Ensure your child is a part of all organisation - don’t just do it all for them, as then they will have more understanding of the requirements.

• Remember that you may feel worried or anxious about your child moving to a new school. It is important that you do not relay this feeling to your child as he/she will sense your worry and it could make it more difficult for him/her to settle.

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

26 |

STUDY HABITS

We want students to be able to “move” all things learnt in a day from short term memory to long term memory. Along with reading notes over and over, students can also use flash cards and/or teach a member of their family what they have learned during the day. Teaching someone is often the best way of remembering information. It is important that children get lots of sleep because it is while sleeping that the information gets embedded in their long term memory.

In moving from Primary to Secondary school, there is a considerable difference in the expectations placed upon students to independently manage homework and study. Homework refers to work set by the teacher, including assignments, assessment tasks and completion of class work, which extends and enriches learning. Study is the work initiated by students themselves to revise materials already completed which helps consolidate understanding, prepare for assessments and broaden learning. Study is a skill that for many students needs to be taught and not something that they would probably not have had much practice with in primary school. The expectations for your child when he/she is in Year Seven will be different to what he/she is used to at Primary School. When your child is in Year 7, they will be expected to do a certain amount of homework throughout the week. The information regarding a study timetable, study environment, Student Diary and time management outlined previously contribute to effective study habits. The role of the parent is to help the child to set up a study timetable and then help him/her to stick to it. Younger students are not necessarily internally motivated by the drive to succeed but rather external motivators such as not getting a detention or getting to go on the computer after completing homework. As a parent, you may need to provide rewards for your child when they stick to a study timetable. The following information outlines further tips for improving study habits including how to take notes in class and then how you can remember what you learn for tests. If you combine these tips with an effective study timetable and regular use of the Student Diary, you will be more organised and better able to study effectively.

Memory

Note Taking

We use what is known as the Cornell note taking method. Students learn how to take notes in all subjects. This is an important skill to master as it shows that students are understanding what they are learning and notes are what they will use for revision for tests and projects.

Every afternoon/evening during the school week, students should set aside a thirty minute block to read over all notes from the day. We know that doing this helps students remember 80% of the information learned. If left for one week that decreases to 50% and a month 30%.

| 27

GETTING ORGANISED

The beginning of the school year is a good time to start practicing some good organisational skills. If students start the year off organised, it is much easier to maintain momentum. Using their Student Diary is the key to remaining organised. In addition to this, it is important for your child to organise their time with a study timetable.

Some tips are listed to help your child design a study timetable, create a good study environment, use their Student Diary effectively and manage their time well.

One of the most effective ways to get organised is to use a study timetable. The following are some tips to make your timetable more effective:

• Include times for sport, chores, meals, study/homework

• Use different colours for different activities

• Put the timetable somewhere you can always see it

• You may need a new planner each week as activities change

• Cross off the ‘to do’ items as you complete them

• Use your Student Diary to write down homework and assignments

Study Timetable

Ensure that your environment is conducive to study. Keep the following in mind:

• Try to have your own space for study

• Keep it neat and tidy

• Organise your books and worksheets

• Either have one file for every subject and use file dividers or have a separate file for every subject

• Use colour coding so you can find books in your locker easily

Environment

28 |

servite.wa.edu.au