I want to start by thanking everyone for what has been a really successful and busy term. When you stop and reflect on what has been achieved, it has been huge. From swimming and athletics, to public speaking, outdoor education camps, Year 7 aquatics and a range of local excursions, our students have had the opportunity to engage in so many different experiences.
What has stood out most is the number of students and staff who have said yes, put their hand up and had a go at something new. That mindset of having a go and no opt out has been a real strength of this term and something we want to continue to build on.
Next week we have our Student Learning Conversations also known as Parent Teacher Interviews. As a school our vision is Success for All and that success comes not only from the efforts of students but from the support around them. Teachers, parents and families all play a critical role in this. I strongly encourage all families to attend. If you are unable to make a time, please reach out to your child’s teacher as these conversations are an important part of supporting learning.
At BRSC we believe in individualised learning. This means providing students with opportunities to have agency and choice within their learning so they can go deeper and build real understanding. I have said this before and will continue to say it, grades do not define success. They are a measure against a specific standard at a point in time. Real success is a student’s ability to engage in the learning journey, to try, to struggle, to problem solve and to create meaningful evidence of their learning.
As parents, one of the most powerful ways you can support this is through the conversations you have at home. Rather than focusing only on what your child knows, ask about how they are learning. What strategies did they use, what did they find challenging, what would they do differently next time. These types of conversations open the door for deeper thinking and move beyond the usual “I don’t know” or “nothing”.
A key part of this is the development of capabilities. These are the skills and dispositions that support students to be lifelong learners. Unlike traditional measures of schooling where answers are right or wrong and you simply move on once complete, the real world requires ongoing thinking, adapting and problem solving. These are the capabilities we are intentionally building in our students.
Finally, I would like to provide some clarity around the old library carpark. This is not a kiss and drop area. With the library now relocated, this space will be repurposed in the future, however in the short term it will support our Kookaburra Café. This is an internal school initiative designed to build life skills for students, not just barista skills but personal and social capabilities that support them in all aspects of life.
The carpark will operate as a one way space with 15 minute parking available for those accessing the café or uniform shop. Due to the limited size, we ask that families and community members respect these conditions. Please also note this is a school managed space, not a council carpark.
Thank you again for your ongoing support this term. We look forward to finishing the term strongly and continuing to build on the great work happening across the school.
