In writing this short blog, my encouragement to students and families is to establish in your home and life, a culture of “deep reading”. In today’s world, it is so easy to slip into a world of digital information and social media that specialise in short grabs of information, as we click from page to page and screen to screen. It is a current culture that is a recipe for quick, shallow reading. On the other hand, entering into the world of a substantial book facilitates “deep reading”. Deep reading, the immersion of one’s self in a complex narrative story, will develop empathy, critical thinking, inferential thinking and an exploration of personal identity amongst a diversity of ethics and values.
Over the years, educational research has emphasised that time spent reading books—in other words, reading practice—has an exaggerated “pay-off” with regards to overall academic achievement. Indeed, time spent reading is a more accurate predictor of academic progress than either socioeconomic status or ethnicity. Studies show that students who reported reading more pages daily in school and for homework had higher average scale scores than students who reported reading fewer pages daily.
Developing the skill of deep reading will require purpose and practise. Practice is generally recognized as an essential component of any learning process and emphasizing the role of practice and hard work (rather than fixed intelligence) in academic accomplishment should be a primary goal. Purposeful, practiced reading builds vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, writing, and higher-order thinking skills. This in turn, builds motivation and increases performance.
It is for these reasons that we continue to promote Accelerated Reader as an essential component in our lower school curriculum. In this programme, students are presented with a structured framework that encourages “deep reading” and holds them accountable for setting a goal with regard to their reading accomplishments and progress. Teaching staff report increased skills of analysis, interpretation and analysis in student work samples.
So, lets follow the literary research. Perhaps, as the holidays approach, encourage your child to visit the school library, approach their friendly librarian for some guidance and embark further, on the journey of ‘deep reading” with a selection of holiday reading material. Encouragement today, to establish a daily habit of reading habit, will provide a lifetime of benefits.
Stephen Meagher (Deputy Head of Secondary)
YEAR 12 RETREAT
The Year 12’s took part in their Retreat last week at the Swan Valley Adventure Centre. Students participated in a variety of activities which included canoeing, the flying fox, disc golf and a variety of group challenges. There were a variety of presentations (including some alumni) and time for reflection on their school journey. The Retreat culminated in the students taking part in an ‘Amazing Race’ through the city and Leederville before heading back to school.
Mark Batten (Dean of Makaria)
YEAR 9 ART GALLERY EXCURSION
The Year 9 Art students were taken to the Perth CBD today on a half day excursion. The first half of the trip was spent at Van Gogh Alive – the Vincent Van Gogh experience. Students could put themselves into Van Gogh’s most iconic artworks, from his bedroom in St Remy, to the twinkling lights of Starry Night.
The experience features over 20 large screens that takes you on a journey of the artist’s works. From his darker more unknown early Dutch works to his vast collection of self-portraits, to the vast and open landscapes of the south of France.
We then travelled to the Art Gallery of WA, where we viewed the 2022 Pulse Perspectives, as well as the current contemporary indigenous exhibitions.
A wonderful visual adventure! Year 10s will be going on Monday 20 June but will also part take in a workshop at the gallery.
Lesley Nation (HOLA – The Arts)
P.A.R.T.Y PROGRAM
On Wednesday 8 June a group of 20 Year 10 students attended The P.A.R.T.Y (Prevent Alcohol and Risk-related Trauma in Youth) Program at Royal Perth Hospital (R.P.H). The ultimate goal of the P.A.R.T.Y Program is to reduce the number of youth who suffer traumatic injury because of poor choices with regards to taking risks. The P.A.R.T.Y Program seeks to increase knowledge and change attitudes and behaviours. It aims to promote injury prevention through reality education, enabling youth to recognise risk and make informed choices about certain activities and behaviours.
The students spent a full day following what happens to an injury survivor at R.P.H. During the day the students met the people that care for them. Doctors, Nurses and Physiotherapists described the painful journey of a trauma patient. The students were also taken though the Intensive Care Unit and to view the helipad. They learnt about head and spinal injuries and had hands-on experience with some of the equipment used in trauma care and rehabilitation. The students also got to meet to 2 injury survivors who spoke about the choices and events that led to their injury and what their lives are like now.
Parts of the day were very confronting and the students managed this with maturity and respect and hopefully took away some very important life lessons.
Katie Farmer (Nurse)
Stephanie Ransom (Teacher – Health & PE)
SCIENCE
In Science the Year 8’s have been learning about the cardiovascular system. In their journey of discovery the students dissected and examined sheep heart’s.
Elizabeth Kirby (HOLA – Science)
ACC CROSS COUNTRY
On Thursday 2 June approximately 60 students represented the school at the ACC Cross Country carnival. Mr Dwyer sent the entire team the following message.
Congratulations on your effort yesterday. It was awesome to see all of you representing the school in the pursuit of a common goal, to make qualification for the final standings ladder. I am very happy to announce that we did it!!!! It is an amazing achievement that less than a third of the competing schools were able to achieve. It is even more incredible when you take into consideration the size of our school and the amount of you who were asked to compete outside of your age group. To see all of you showing the determination to not give up and the smiles on your faces after it was all done was a treat. I am very proud to announce that of the 77 schools competing yesterday we finished in 24th position. A truly remarkable result.
