MAGDALENE SHINES

More will be written about this (and photographs included) in the following newsletter, however, a huge congratulations goes to the staff and students involved in “Magdalene Shines” last night. Not only was there a high degree of talent and skill from our dancers, musicians, singers and performers on the evening, but there was also an enormous sense of goodwill and joy that was observable. A very large vote of thanks goes to our CAPA staff – Mr Mae, Mrs Stevens, Mrs Curtis and also to Miss Cupillari for her work with the MISA Dance Team. Thanks too goes to Mrs Colella for her work with the Year 12 Act and of course our Year 12s. Additionally, thanks goes to our staff involved in the staff act, to those who helped on accompaniment or those who helped backstage.

CREATING A QUALITY STUDY SPACE

At Magdalene, we speak often of the importance of completing homework, assessments and devising and revising study notes.

Yet at times we might neglect the actual study space available to our young people.

The College does not promote one ideal study space – especially when the size of families or the size of the family home/unit will dictate this so much. However, there are some common features which are extremely helpful if they can be accommodated.

A Common Study Area

Firstly, where possible, the College recommends a common study area for families. This allows for parents/carers to visibly notice whether study is occurring and also helps in determining the level of distraction that may or may not exist. This space might be a corner area or part of a family room. If this exists, minimising distractions is also important – and those students in their final year/s of their studies (while they may have headphones on) will appreciate this a great deal.

For students with a desk in their own room, this can be suitable for those students who are self-motivated, organised, need solitude (and no distraction) and/or have a high degree of independence. However, challenges can present if students are easily distracted by technology, social media and/or other possible disturbances; this would obviously need to be monitored carefully. Students can report they were sitting at their desk for hours – but this not necessarily mean that they completed effective study.

Comfortable and functional

The area which is set aside needs to have good light (overhead lighting or a powerful desk lamp) and it should allow students to be alert and focused. Students studying on beds is not ideal as this can advance tiredness -> a functional and/or ergonomic chair is much preferable.

Space to lay out books, folders and study notes can be very helpful, as is enough area for a laptop to sit comfortably along with an area to complete written work.

Limiting other distractions – TVs, noise, common thoroughfares etc… also needs consideration. And once again the College strongly recommends a curfew on technology use – ideally with no use one hour (at a minimum) before bedtime.

Resource-ready

Again, this is not possible in every home/unit, however, access to a printer and a suitable supply of stationery (pens, pencils, highlighters, paper and the like) is very useful.

If a bookcase or storage unit (a box, shelving or containers) can also be included, this will limit the amount of time it can take to move from activity to activity and helps to avoid procrastination.

Final Note – organisation

Our students are strongly encouraged to use their College diaries – to diarise the homework and/or assessment work that they currently have due. Do ask questions of children about their work, do sight their diary (encouraging them to use it more extensively if needed) AND, where possible, do use the Fridge as a place where Assessment Schedules can be displayed and checked off.

Mr Matthew McMahon

Principal