In the spotlight

By Mrs Alyssa Maier, Acting Dean of Senior Studies and IBDP Coordinator

The beginning of Term 3 provides an important opportunity to connect with students at key transition points in their schooling. Year 6 students preparing to move into the Secondary School and Year 10 students looking ahead to Senior School, each meet with a senior staff member to discuss their learning styles, interests and aspirations.

For our incoming Year 7 students and their families, these conversations help to ease the transition to College life. While many students arrive with a mix of excitement and nerves, they are overwhelmingly enthusiastic about the wide range of learning, co-curricular and service opportunities that await them.

Our Year 10 students meet individually with staff to explore their subject choices and career goals. They are encouraged to select subjects that reflect both their strengths and interests, ensuring they are best placed to achieve success in their senior studies. Choosing subjects that students enjoy and excel in provides the strongest foundation for outstanding results at the end of Year 12.

This year, information evenings for both current Year 11 families and the parents of the Class of 2027 were very well attended. These sessions offered valuable insights into the BSSS system and ways parents can best support their child’s journey.

Working closely with Year 11 and 12 students remains a privilege for our staff, as we guide them in their subject selections and support them academically and pastorally to achieve their personal best.

Our BSSS Tertiary students are preparing for the AST that will take place on 26 and 27 August, following extensive practise with past papers, workshops and targeted feedback to refine their skills in short response, multiple choice and writing tasks. Parents can support their children by encouraging discussions across a wide range of topics, helping to broaden the general knowledge that underpins success in these assessments.

Meanwhile, our International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) cohort has been finalising their internal assessments, having worked closely with their teachers to research and analyse a variety of interesting topics. They are now entering the final phase of learning and assessment and will soon commence their mock examinations on 27 August, leading into their final exams in late October and November.

As our Year 12 students enter their final semester, we wish them every success. This is a short but significant semester and maintaining high standards across all areas of College life will ensure the best possible outcomes for all.