This week our Year 10 students have been involved in the analysis and discussion of their results from natural Ability Testing. The quote below from the famous Greek philosopher Aristotle is pertinent for our students as they engage in this process of developing self-awareness.

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom” – Aristotle

Self-Awareness and a clear understanding of Strengths & Weaknesses is an important part of the high school experience. Major future decisions are made as early as ear 10 as students choose the critical subjects for Years 11 and 12 which can have a significant bearing on their choices for university courses or other post school decisions. This sets in motion a series of decisions which can have lifetime impacts both good and bad. Knowledge of Self Awareness, Strengths & Weaknesses, Values, Interests, Abilities and Personality are all part of the career guidance pathway which really begins to take root in the final years of high school. (Great for starting university students as well)(Natural Ability Testing Webpage, 2018)

Thanks to Mrs Evans for her work in overseeing the testing program and the parent information evening that has occurred this week. I hope that our Year 10 students have appreciated the insights that this kind of testing assists them to develop. It should help them make targeted decisions regarding Year 11 subject selection and pathways beyond school. This testing program adds to the opportunities that our students have in planning for their futures.

The Habit of Mind for this week is creating, imagining and innovating.

All human beings have the capacity to generate novel, clever, or ingenious products, solutions, and techniques—if that capacity is developed (Sternberg, 2006). Creative human beings try to conceive solutions to problems differently, examining alternative possibilities from many angles. They tend to project themselves into different roles using analogies, starting with a vision and working backward, and imagining they are the object being considered. Creative people take risks and frequently push the boundaries of their perceived limits (Perkins, 1991). They are intrinsically rather than extrinsically motivated, working on the task because of the aesthetic challenge rather than the material rewards.

Creative people are open to criticism. They hold up their products for others to judge, and they seek feedback in an ever-increasing effort to refine their technique. They are uneasy with the status quo. They constantly strive for greater fluency, elaboration, novelty, parsimony, simplicity, craftsmanship, perfection, beauty, harmony, and balance.

Students, however, often are heard saying "I can't draw," "I was never very good at art," "I can't sing a note," or "I'm not creative." Some people believe creative humans are just born that way and that genes and chromosomes are the determinants of creativity.

This habit is particularly important for modern students in the era of the knowledge economy and our governments focus upon STEM and innovation.

Last Saturday night some intrepid staff and students participated in Relay For Life at the Alstonville Showgrounds. I congratulate all those students and staff on their efforts in walking to raise money for the Cancer Council. Relay For Life is a wonderful community event and the generosity of spirit demonstrated by all those involved was most gratifying to see. At present we have raised over $1300 and with Thursday night’s Secondary Social profits being added we should make our initial fundraising target of $2000.

After Chapel this week students from 9.1 and Mrs Campbell, the Stage 5 Coordinator, visited St Andrew’s nursing home in Ballina as part of our community outreach program. Thank you to Mrs Campbell for organising this visit and to the students for their willingness to participate and serve others. The willingness to serve others and volunteer is a wonderful opportunity to develop the ability to put yourself second. It takes courage and commitment in this age of entitlement to put yourself second so well done to these students.

It is only week 2 of the term and the next few weeks promise to be very busy with NAPLAN almost upon us. Best of luck to our students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 as they undertake this testing using the online platform.

UPCOMING EVENTS