NICS News Week 9, Term 2
16 June 2022
To better facilitate the transition to the Australian Curriculum, Norfolk Island Central School will be undergoing some internal timetable restructures for Semester 2. The restructure will best facilitate curriculum delivery from P-12 and support student learning.
Being a P-12 school, the restructure will also mean a consistent start time for all students: 8.50 am Monday to Friday. For primary students, this is 10 minutes earlier, and for secondary students this is a later start. The end of the day will remain at the current time of 2.50 pm.
Within the day from 8.50 – 2.50, classes will move to a model of 4 x 70 minute periods per day, with a 5 day timetable (currently 6 x 50 minute periods with a 10 day timetable).
Below is an outline of the day structure.
Some of the benefits for students are listed below:
- 5-day timetable (20 x 70min periods per week) streamlines timetable format for students
- 4 x 70 min periods strengthen the provisioning of the Queensland P-12 Curriculum and Reporting Framework (CARF) and will facilitate transition by refining operational factors that impact on curriculum delivery.
- 4 x 70 min periods will allow for a consistent whole school timetable across P-12 with the same start and finish times.
- Consistent start times will foster our P-12 context and provide opportunity for flexibility for teachers to teach and build links across P-12.
- 70 minutes allows for deeper learning to occur with 2 x 70 min periods in the morning during prime learning time. A “brain break”, or “fruit break”, will be planned for students when needed.
- Shorter afternoon session (70 mins opposed to 100mins), a positive for P-6 classes.
- Maximised learning time in class with reduced movement around the school for all students with one bell.
- Consistent routine with a smaller number of teachers per day for students.
- Reduced number of lessons/teachers per day reduces cognitive load on students (and teachers).
Information will be provided to students with the above example. New timetables will be distributed on Day 1 of Term 3, Monday 11 July.
Year 10 Senior Education & Training Plan (SET Plan) – Term 3
Students in Year 10 will shortly commence the process to develop their Senior Education and Training (SET) plan under Queensland Senior Secondary Schooling. The SET plan helps students structure their senior learning around their abilities, interests and ambitions. SET Plans are reviewed at various stages throughout Year 11 and 12 to make sure subjects and learning are right for individual students, and to ensure pathways are maintained to the courses and careers students want after Year 12.
Throughout the year at NICS, Year 10 students have been provided with opportunities to explore their options through a Career Education program.
SET Plan interviews involve a representative of the school, Year 10 Parents/Carer and the student. During these interviews, students will further develop their SET Plan and solidify their senior subject choices. Parents/caregivers will be requested to attend the interviews which will be held during Week 5 of Term 3, so that all parties can discuss and agree to the plan. It is also an opportunity for parents/caregivers and students to discuss future study and career paths. Information sessions for families will be held prior to the interviews during Week 2 of Term 3.
More information about SETP is available on the QCAA (Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority) website.
Visit QCAA SET Planning Information for parents and carers page.
A quick guide to the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
Planning your Senior Pathway
The new QCE system – A guide for parents of students
https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/downloads/senior/snr_new_qce_system_parent_guide.pdf
Border Force Visit
This week, primary students had a special visit from Border Force with the detection dog named “Hassa”. The students were presented with a series of roles that Border Force play and how the dog is trained and works. Thank you to Kelly, Mark and the Norfolk Island Border Force team for coordinating the visit.
Study Centre
Study Centre is open to students from Years 6-12 on Monday and Thursday afternoons from 3-4pm in the library. It is a free, teacher-facilitated service that can assist students to complete homework, classwork and assignments.
Coming Up
Week 10: Final Day of Term 2 - Friday 24 June. School returns - Monday 11 July.