Learning Area Update
14 February
Reaching the end of Week 3, we are reminded of the quick pace of school life here at Damascus. Already it feels like we’ve befriended our new colleagues in the English department, and it has been thrilling to hear such positive feedback from students and staff about the wonderful new members of the English team. We officially welcome Jess Simon; Tegan Heinrich-Morrison; Steven East; Andrea Hadley; Mikhaila Picone; Alan Ng; Rachael Thompson; Jazz Beaumont and Geraldine Ewing to our 2024 team. Some of these staff have already worked with us in 2023, making a strong impression. All of these staff bring energy, vibrancy and a fresh perspective on how we can enliven our English curriculum.
Because it is a short term, I want to take the opportunity to remind parents and students of the essential need to cultivate good habits of organisation and time-management in English. We need parents’ support to ensure English folders are stocked with looseleaf, textbooks are being used for home study, diaries are being checked regularly and students are asking for help with early practise writing pieces. As supportive parents, it’s a fabulous idea to read the set texts to your own offer insights and ensure students can ask for assistance when they need it. I remind students to consult the College Diary to see our recommendations around the duration of home study at each Year Level.
This year, we will offer English Enrichment classes for a select group of students in Years 7, 8 and 9. We aim to have the program up and running in the not-too-distant future to address the learning needs of everyone in English. And, for the first time, we have book-listed Education Perfect which is a very useful tool for revision and consolidation of core language skills. Please encourage students to ask their teacher for guidance on how to log in to Education Perfect. Finally, it’s worth noting that our first Year 12 English Enrichment classes started this week with a healthy turn out. Please come along, if interested: 8am Wednesdays in 4309.
We are full of optimism about the year to come.