First Lunch Break

We’re back to our usual expectations this term. First break rules are not up for negotiation. We expect only homework, research or reading at first break.  Students playing games, hanging out or making noise will not be welcome.

Anzac Day Display

A huge thankyou to the RSL for lending us their military memorabilia displays for the week,  so we could commemorate our most popular national day.

Farewell Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Read his BBC Obituary. We have some of his titles in Fiction, including the 1982 nobel prize winner’s most famous novel, “One Hundred Years of Solitude”, acclaimed by many to be one of the greatest novels of the Twentieth Century.

Study or Explict Learning?

We’ve renamed  our study tips tab in our information portal to debunk some of our long-held beliefs about studying.  For eons we’ve believed  that we’ll remember what we learn by re-reading, making notes, highlighting etc.  More recent research suggests that we learn best by interacting with the material via “desirable difficulty”.  This is best achieved in a study group, being quizzed or quizzing someone else etc.  By struggling to search memories for the answer, the difficulty can create lasting learning.  That’s why the difficulty is called desirable – because knowledge acquired in this manner lasts the test of time.

To summarize: Study in small chunks every week – do not cram right before a test  – Test or Quiz yourself using a quiz generator   –  Online Quiz Creator  –  Register for Class Marker – Socrative

Form a Study Group to discuss the work and quiz each other verbally  – Today’s Meet  – Backchat on twitter or another forum tool. Discuss information during the lesson or afterwards in forums to be interacting with the information and with others. Try using technology to help you:  Padlet – Today’s Meet – Chatzy – Socrative

Book Week Shortlist

The Children’s Book Week shortlist has been announced. …And the Older Reader’s Novels are: