It was fantastic to welcome the boys back to school this week for the start of Term 3. We began the Semester by providing the students with an opportunity to reflect upon their achievements throughout Semester One and develop clear goals for Semester Two. Our extensive Pastoral Program continues throughout Term 3, providing opportunities to work together in their Pastoral Classes, Year groups and in their Houses. This term as a school community we will celebrate NAIDOC week, RU OK day and the investiture of our new College leaders.

In Week 4 Year 7 (rescheduled from Term 1) and 9 students will have the opportunity to participate in respective camps as part of our Outdoor Education Program, which we know plays a pivotal role in building positive relationships and challenging the boys to grow and take risks in a safe and supportive environment.

We will continue our commitment to Cyber Education this term working closely with Optus who provide curriculum aligned workshops titled “Digital Thumbprint” designed to foster authentic, responsible and positive experiences online. Topics to be addressed include Cyber Security, Digital Identity, Cyber-bullying and Respectful relationships online, Digital Discernment and Digital Balance. Students in Years 7, 9 and 10 will also have the opportunity to hear from a representative from Legal Aid, in Year 7 the speaker will be addressing legal life skills and for Year 9 and10 the issue of consent.

We are currently in the process of selecting our Senior Student Leadership Team for 2022/2023. At this stage I wish to acknowledge all of the students who have nominated themselves as young men who enthusiastically seek the opportunity to lead the school in 2022/2023. I wish to acknowledge the time and thoughtfulness that has gone into each of these applications. We look forward to the process of learning more about their individual ideas in relation to student leadership in the coming weeks.

An invitation to provide Feedback

We are currently undertaking a review of Discipline levels and are seeking feedback from all key stakeholders in the community in this process, including staff, students and parents. A copy of the existing levels can be found in the Student Diary on page 28-30. If you would like to contribute to this process of review, providing feedback on the existing Levels System or proposing suggestions for inclusion in the revised Behavioural Management System we would be delighted to hear from you. The process for the provision of feedback involves a phone interview, which would be expected to take between 10 and 15 minutes. If you would like to contribute to this review please email me at jhughes@erc.nsw.edu.au with 3 suitable days and times for contact and I will be in touch. This is a great opportunity for you as parents to contribute to the development of a revised system that best meets the needs of the community.

Pivot Student Perception Survey

This year as part of our Professional Development Program staff had been offered the opportunity to engage in one of four pathways. This is a part of our ongoing commitment to improving teacher effectiveness. One of the pathways offered includes the use of the Pivot Perception Survey, a statistically reliable and valid survey that reflects the Australian Teaching Standards. The introduction of the Pivot Tool is closely aligned with our Annual Improvement Plan, which identifies our commitment to improving student voice in relation to their learning.

There is strong evidence to suggest that meaningful feedback provides value for the whole community. Most specifically it is expected to provide valuable insights for teachers which in turn will allow them to better meet the needs of their students. This initiative is part of our commitment to giving students a voice in relation to their learning. Research published by Pivot reports that when students have the opportunity to provide feedback and teachers respond to this accordingly the benefits are far reaching and include students:

• feel more connected
• work harder
• are more engaged
• set higher goals
• persevere more
• have more positive relationships with their teachers

The survey, consisting of 25 questions, will be administered in class time between July 25 and August 5 to nominated classes across the school by participating teachers. The survey will be completed anonymously and at no time will any data be collected that identifies a particular student. Results will be confidential to the individual teacher and are not related to any form of appraisal but rather are designed to affirm staff for those strategies considered to be effective by their students and provide direction for staff who continually seek improvement in the best interests of your sons. Teachers will have the opportunity to review their practice and implement strategies to improve their effectiveness which will be measured again with the second round of the Pivot survey early in Term 4.

Mrs Hughes
Director of Pastoral Care & Wellbeing