Welcome back to the 2024 academic year and a warm welcome to all our new students and families. May I introduce the Siena College Senior Learning Leaders for 2024:
If a parent has any concerns about curriculum related matters, please contact the subject teacher as required by leaving a voicemail message or an email, details are available on the Siena Central Parent Zone. If the matter needs to be escalated, please contact the relevant Head of Learning or Head of House.
Our 2023 VCE Acknowledgement Assembly will be held on Friday, 16 February.
The Year 12 Learning Conversations provide an opportunity for students to share with a senior member of staff regarding their strategies, academic and personal goals that may assist in their learning, and finally to develop a 2023 Action Plan with a focus on improvement. Year 12 students have received the relevant documents to enable reflection on their Year 11 achievements, in preparation of their learning conversation. The focus is on the way in which students can maximise their learning opportunities in 2024. Individual Learning Conversations will be held during Enrichment lessons.
Year 12 students require an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) for entry into many undergraduate programs in Australia. All Year 12 students will also participate in a Careers conversation with Head of Careers, Clare Timmins or Careers Practitioner, Maree Hodgson, which will include an ATAR estimation based on their Year 11 Semester 2 examination results.
Year 7 to 12 students will complete a self reflection in each subject prior to the Learning Conferences. The reflection will be completed via Siena Central, and parents will have access to subject reflections. Further details will be provided when available.
Year 7 to 12 Student Learning Conferences will be held online on Thursday, 14 March, 1.30pm to 7.30pm and Wednesday, 20 March, 1.30pm to 7.30pm. Further details will be published on Siena Central soon.
The Student Learning Conferences are an important opportunity to develop a working and supportive relationship between subject teachers, parents and students. It is essential that the student attends the Conferences so that students can share their learning experience and participate in the conversation about subject expectations. Parents and guardians will be able to download a copy of their daughter’s Interim Report prior to the Conferences.
This week, all families received a Learning and Teaching communication via Siena Central, outlining the submission of work procedures, accessing assessment task feedback and absence during the term. We ask for your support in acquainting yourself with the information.
The Siena College Learning Framework and Lesson Framework provide an excellent foundation for strong learning opportunities for our students.
Our Learning Framework incorporates four necessary elements with the learner at the centre, to ensure that every student can experience growth in their learning. Our Lesson Framework provides a shared understanding of the lesson structure, enabling students to effectively engage in their learning.
All classes have commenced by determining classroom expectations. These expectations are on the subject class page and provide an excellent opportunity for students and parents to revisit.
As part of providing a safe and collaborative learning environment, students are paired with a ‘Positive Learning Partner’ (PLP). This ensures all students engage in an environment that offers support and trust while develop skills of collaboration and respect for others.
Study is an integral aspect of the Dominican faith tradition. Home learning enables students to embed their classroom learning and identify areas for further growth. It also provides an opportunity for students to play an active role in reinforcing their understanding, and for parents to work in partnership with students and teachers to positively influence their education.
Given the diverse nature of subjects, home learning requirements vary. Part of the learning process for students involves discernment and time management as they plan home learning. Subject teachers consider the suggested total guidelines and their professional judgement in determining the home learning for their individual subject. The following is a guide on the amount of time that students should spend on home learning:
In becoming independent learners, students are encouraged to:
Parents, as the primary educators of their children are encouraged to:
A successful learning space should:
The Year 7 Home Learning Guidelines assist our Year 7 Students in transitioning and settling into secondary school. Home learning will commence for Year 7 students on Monday, 19 February 2024.
To assist Year 7 Students with assessment requirements, a Year 7 Academic Calendar will be published and made accessible to all students and parents in the coming weeks via Siena Central. The Academic Calendar will provide an outline of the week, indicate when Unit Assessments are due and whether tasks are to be completed in class or at home.
Siena Central provides the opportunity for both students and parents to access subject class pages with direct access to daily classroom learning and home learning tasks. The ‘Subject Overview’ is accessed via the Course Page and outlines all unit topics and key assessment dates. This is a useful tool in assisting students to develop strong organisation skills.
Assessment Task Feedback is also communicated via Siena Central. Parents will receive an email alert when feedback has been uploaded. Please see the Parent User Guide available on Siena Central.
If you have any difficulties accessing the Parent Zone, please contact IT Help at ithelp@siena.vic.edu.au or 9835 0200.
