News

To ensure a smooth transition as we begin 2023, here are some strategies to ensure your daughter experiences a successful start to the year.

For a lot of Year 7 families, it will be hard to believe that in a week’s time their much anticipated secondary school journey will start at Strathcona. It is likely now that your daughters are beginning to prepare for their first day on Tuesday 31 January with a sense of excitement, anticipation and trepidation. Starting secondary school is a
significant transition point in your daughter’s life, but also yours as her parents and carers. I often get asked about how our Year 7s can best succeed in their first term at Strathcona. Below are some tips I’d like to share in answer to this important question.

In the Herald Sun, Carolyn Joubran, Head of English shared some valuable insights and tips into how students can tackle the VCE English exam.

Ahead of today’s VCE English exam, Amber Sowden, Dean of Students spoke on 3AW Breakfast Radio and shared some valuable advice to students on how to deal with the nerves of the exam and some tips on heading into a 3-hour exam of this kind. Listen to the full interview below.

In July, the English Department launched a Micro Writing Competition for students in Years 7 – 12 as part of the Literature Festival. The students were invited to write on a topic or theme of their choice, and the challenge was to use just 300 words to tell the story. There were lots of great entries, but the winner was decided as Kate Henry, Year 11 with the story Chrysanthemums. Read the story below.

For many teachers, who are now in their eleventh term of delivering education in the face of a pandemic, ‘normal’ still feels far away. And with COVID-19 cases refusing to abate, despite the warmer weather, disruption continues to impact our school halls, sports fields, classrooms, and staff rooms. In an article in The Age over the weekend, Principal Marise McConaghy explored the question, How sick is too sick? Read the full article below.

Building STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) skills in school-age children, goes far beyond teaching science and mathematical concepts in the classroom. STEM education prepares children to move into any industry by equipping them with valuable skills that support future success – including problem solving, analytical thinking, creativity, continued curiosity, and the ability to work independently. In an article for the Parents Website, Rebecca Kerr, Head of Science shares how we can encourage STEM skills at home. Read more below.