Br Steve Hogan fsc
Greetings, the College has held several significant events these past two weeks. There was the Open Day on Sunday 5th March with about 5,000 visitors in attendance. Many of the prospective parents emailed and commended the College for the wonderful experience and in particular the grounded, friendly nature of staff and students who were examples of our values. Values and a sense of community that they said were important to them and what they are looking for, for their children. Thank you to our parents who firstly formed such fine young men and women, and thank you to all staff and students who assisted on the day.
On Tuesday 7th March, the College held a special event for International Women’s Day. The College was fortunate to host and hear from Ms Yvonne Keane (AM). Ms Keane, who has founded several service organisations such as The Sanctuary – the Hills Women’s Shelter and Reimagine Australia, shared her experience and insights on social equity.
Winter Sports training is well underway. Has your son or daughter registered? Sport is a valuable way for our students to learn life skills that they may not learn through other avenues. Sport teaches students how to be humble (in winning) and dignified (in losing) as good sports men and women and how everything improves with practice, hard work and mental toughness. Striving for excellence in all we do, think and say as good people.
At Oakhill College, we strongly encourage all students to engage with the College through any form of co-curricular activities. Students get the opportunity to mix with a range of other young men and women that they ordinarily may not and learn lifelong habits and skills.
It is always interesting when I meet the alumni of the College; they all reminisce on their co-curricular experiences and the everlasting friendships these opportunities formed. These bonds and experiences build character and last a lifetime.
Year 12 Mid-Year Exams will start in two weeks’ time. Students have been given their timetables, and I ask for parent's support as we work to encourage all Year 12 students to ‘Strive for Excellence’, to work hard and achieve ones best. One simple way to do this is to ask them to set a goal based on their Year 11 exam results and to set a target of 5-10% more - 5-10% is attainable for all students, some students may wish to aim higher. Here are some simple handy hints for students preparing for tests or exams no matter what Year level.
- Have a regular routine and a study timetable and ensure to put in the extra time needed for swat and examination preparation. Preparation for examinations is like an investment and social personal time ought to be reduced to invest in a better test or exam outcome.
- Have a regular place (physical space).
- Create the mental space, that attitude and desire to achieve.
- Develop a set of swat notes that then become rote learning/memorisation notes of content, so you do not have to keep reading large amounts of text from the textbook right up until the exam – no time for that.
- Finally, practice, practice, practice. Without writing answers, one can assume one knows the material or how to structure a good answer, but doing it is harder than assuming it, and it is the only way you get to know what and if you know.
More suggestions can be found on www.studyskillshandbook.com [login: foroakhillonly password: 41results
Finally, a thought for Lent. During the 40 days of Lent, the Christian tradition focuses on areas for personal growth, improvement, and or renewal. This is encouraged through prayer, fasting and penance. Such acts are also to make us more consciously aware of and grateful for God’s indulgent mercy. We live within an incredulous, ineffable mercy of which we are mostly unaware.
Wishing you well.
Br Steve Hogan fsc
Principal
