Term 1, in review

As Term 1 draws to a close, my first at Nowra Anglican College, there are many exciting events and activities that have punctuated our busy term. We have enjoyed Open Day, Meet the Teacher evening, Grandparents’ Day, UoW Discovery Day for Year 12, special Leadership events, Primary and Secondary swimming carnivals and a range of other representative sporting events, and Camps for Year 3, 4 and 7. If I were to ask students a highlight from the past term, it is likely that they would list one of these special activities. As we conclude the term, we will be enjoying our special Easter services, Secondary Cross Country and a Stage 3 Celebration of Learning.

Such events are a special time for our school community, as they represent a break from routine, provide extra time with friends and time for family and friends to visit the school.

As I reflect on these wonderful opportunities, I remember that what matters most in a school is the day-to-day habits and routines that support quality learning. Each lesson, each day, teachers consider how they can engage students so they can understand new ideas, develop essential skills and reinforce approaches to learning. It has been a pleasure to visit classrooms and to meet with students and staff, to celebrate regular classroom learning. Sometimes these lessons may not stand out as highlights or memorable experiences, but daily lessons are about building the knowledge, competencies and attitudes that our young people need to do the best they can academically and be equipped for life beyond school.

Recently, for example, I was speaking to some primary students about a Science experiment they were undertaking. Each student could clearly explain to me the scientific concepts they were exploring through their experiment and how they navigated the design process. They had learned important lessons about heat transfer while also learning about perseverance, revising and collaboration.

As a Year 7 Mathematics class prepared for a topic test, they were revising each of the topics from the previous units while also applying meta-learning, as they were encouraged to identify where they needed some extra consolidation of learning. They were learning important lessons in monitoring and managing their own learning that they will continue to strengthen throughout their Senior School journey.

Many of our Year 12 students have been receiving results for their first tasks in their HSC courses. Some have been encouraged by their results. Others have had to grapple with important feedback from their teachers to identify pathways and strategies for further growth and improvement. They continue to apply these same lessons as they near the end of their schooling journey.

As you read through the magazine, can I encourage families to delight in the highlights of a busy term and recognise the underlying rhythm of quality learning that is the foundation of our learning pathways through the College, from Kindergarten to Year 12.

I wish all our families a safe and refreshing Easter break and pray that it will be a time to reflect on the precious gift that we have through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. For those who call Jesus Lord, we know that we have the promise of life eternal in His glorious presence.

Mrs Jodie Bennett
Principal

‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only
Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have
eternal life.’ John 3:16