• Homework in focus
• Griffith University scholarship available
• Mathematics tutors
• Innovator students
• Intellectual performance and character
• P&C meeting outcomes

After the wonderful success and highs of You're the Voice our focus has now shifted to the academics of IB that lay ahead with submission and assessment blocks only two weeks away.

Unfortunately I had to address with some students this week the topic of homework and self management. All students were present for this; as the impact of students not coming to class prepared, with the work completed that will form the base for that day's lessons impacts negatively on those who have met their responsibility. This arises because the teacher then has to focus valuable learning time on chasing up students. The relationship no longer becomes one of shared partnership in learning but a push/pull relationship with others caught in the middle.

Given the effort students have gone through to join the academy it is very disappointing to me to find that commitments about work ethic and self management at interview have been forgotten. Clearly the IB program and the supporting programs we offer are designed to challenge and grow the individual and this has always been advocated up front. Students who are not prepared to face this reality and back this up with the required action possibly need to reconsider their pathway as they are not only letting themselves down but also the students with whom they share the academy.

On Wednesday I had a follow forum with year 10 and 11 students where I answered to the best of my ability their frank and honest questions. It also gave me the opportunity to get many perspectives on what myself and colleagues can do more of, less of and differently to make our part in the partnership better. Part of this is ensuring our practices in regard to homework are consistent and responsive. Homework is deliberately set on a weekly cycle centred on the single 50 minute lesson each class has in the week. Because there is only one 50 minute lesson per day per week (except Tuesday which has two) this assures that the spread of deadlines is even across the week. A weekly cycle also allows the student the flexibility to plan completion of set tasks around the many other commitments they have. They should avoid however leaving a week's homework to the night before as this allows them no chance of accessing assistance if they strike difficulties. Recognising difficulties and seeking assistance is a key component of developing self management. Whilst homework is about consolidating learning, practising skills and checking understanding, at QACI it is much more. It about developing the personal development and independent learner qualities such as reflection and self evaluation, perseverance, time management, responsibility, resource access and management and initiative which are so important in life beyond the "school setting".

For many students the Academy is the first time when their ability alone has not been enough to gain the A or B.  Like any realisation, adapting to the change and acting upon it takes some time however my message on Tuesday was that after two terms and two formal feedback reports that time is now overdue.  Over the past term I have shared and advocated with parents, and in particular, students a range of support programs for developing study skills and time management and continue to work with individuals and groups through success coaching on this topic.  It is clear that students who have adopted such processes are leading far more balanced and less stressful school lives. The sooner a student seeks advice or more importantly, implements, the sooner they will make progress.  Our current year 12 and 11 students are living proof.

Griffith University Scholarships available to QACI Year 12 

Griffith University offers one $3000 Academic Excellence scholarship to each partner school, of which QACI is one. Details can be accessed on www.griffith.edu.au/griffith-connect.

Interest needs to be expressed to Mr Jose by Friday 28 August in order for up to three students to be put forward

Mathematics Tutors

I am often approached by parents seeking additional support for their student in Mathematics.  Our partnership with QUT has allowed us to form contacts with the Education Faculty and as such access to third and final year mathematics course students who are in the position to tutor students. The Academy acts as a link placing parents in contact with such tutors.  If you are seeking a tutor please email me and I will forward you the contact details of tutors.  We only access tutors who have a blue card.  Any arrangements in regard to fees or location are then negotiated directly between the tutor and the parent.

Our Innovator Students work with our "Sisters from SMT"

Over the last week our team of students who have been working at the Living Lab at the State Library of Queensland have also been collaborating with a "hot seating" team from the Queensland Academy for Science, Maths and Technology.

Nic Marchesi, Ebony Harrison and Chris Doran have been working with the all girl crew of 10 students to develop an incentive gaming system that will inspire Queenslanders to self score their progress in the quest to be Healthy, Green, Fair, Smart and Strong.

As the project is starting to enter its concluding stages, the focus of the whole team has been to finalise a series of images to be used as personal profile identifiers on the new My Q2 portal - as well as complete series of three quite complex video animations that represent three of the Q2 Ambitions: Fair, Healthy and Green.

One of the most important educational outcomes for the team has been how they manage their pitches and progress to the client – officers from the Department of Premier and the Cabinet.  Over the past few weeks, these students have had to report their progress every 48 hours, gaining feedback and re-direction. This has been an incredible process – as in any real-time learning situation, this balance between creativity and logistics is always delicate and above all, needs to be flexible. Once the project is completed we will share their story of the MYQ2 Innovator team with you.  For updates on the project visit the Current Projects and Initiatives section of our website.

Kathy Mackey
Deputy Principal: Partnerships and Student Development  

Gerric Courses for Parents come to Brisbane

The GERRIC Parent Course is to be held at QASMT on 17^th – 18^th October. The Early Bird Rate has been extended to 11^th September.  This is the first time the course has been held outside Sydney and we are keen to let as many parents as possible know about it.  Contact 1800626824 or http://gerric.arts.unsw.edu.au

Intellectual and Performance Character

For thousands of years, emphasis has been placed upon the role of character, ethics, values and virtues.  The ancient Greeks believed that virtue meant human excellence. Philosophers, theologians, educators and psychologists since that time have explored beliefs and behaviours as they contribute towards purpose, achievement, healthy relationships and personal wellbeing. 

Ron Richart at Harvard University has investigated Intellectual Character.  His work has identified specific dispositions that constitute Intellectual Character. Individuals who are open-minded, curious, metacognitive (think about their thinking), strategic, sceptical, seek truth and understanding and think before acting have the qualities associated with Intellectual Character.

Thomas Lickona, the author of “Educating for Character” and co-author with Matthew Davidson, of “Smart and Good High Schools”, have together identified specific values and qualities that make up Performance Character. In approaching a task, those with Performance Character hold values such as: curiosity, a love of learning, goal-setting, initiative, preparation for the task at hand and organisation.  Work is characterised by the values of creativity, effort, commitment to the best of which we are capable, determination, diligence, perseverance, self-discipline, delayed gratification, wise time-management and a focus on achieving mastery.  The ability to internalize high standards, assess one’s work against these standards, revise the process to improve the quality of work and take responsibility for one’s own learning contribute to Performance Character as well as the quality of the work produced.

Students are sometimes expected to improve their performance without understanding how to do this.  We can help students to understand the specific values and behaviours that contribute to the development of Performance Values and Character. To help students take responsibility for their own learning and development, students can use the values of Performance Character listed above as a guide for understanding their existing character strengths and then identify specific areas that still need to be developed. 

Students might consider these values, dispositions and behaviours as indicators of their ability to practice organisational skills, take risks and accept challenges, listen attentively, stay on task and evaluate their own learning.  By focusing on specific values and behavioural goals for the future, students can build lifelong character strengths to help them achieve. Lickona and Davidson have highlighted that Performance Character plays a critical role in students’ academic achievement, promotes academic excellence, enables us to achieve our highest potential and builds skills for “productive, fulfilling lives”.

© Michele Juratowitch

P&C Meeting Outcome notes

The August P&C meeting was held on Wednesday night with the following items discussed or endorsed.

• International Language study tours for year 12 students in 2010 were endorsed for Spanish, French and Mandarin.
• Participation of current year 10 students in the Global Challenge to Malaysia was endorsed.
• The textbook and resource hire scheme fee for 2010 was set at $275, the first increase since the foundation of the Academy.
• The uniform policy, as it exists, was endorsed for 2010
• The P&C voluntary contribution will remain at $50 for 2010.

Hard Copy Communication this Week

Important dates – The month ahead

All students have real time access to the Academy calendar via iCal.

22/08 – Round 3 entry testing day

29/08 – Classroom music showcase

30/08 – Bridge to Brisbane

1&2 /09 – QCS test – Nominated year 12 students

2 /09 – Year 12 Parent Information evening – Final exam preparation and support program

5 /09 – Young Scholars workshops at QACI

7/09 – Year 10/11 Submission week - normal timetable suspended

7/09 – Year 12 commence Internal assessment focus and language orals

9/09 – Creative Generations Excellence Awards in Visual Arts & Design (QACI Gallery)

12/09 – Language Tour to China departs

14/09 – Year 10/11 Exam block commences

16/09 – P&C meeting 7.00pm

18/09 – Year 10 Writing Festival excursion

18/09 – P&C social at QACI 5.30pm to 8.30pm

5 /10 – Term 4 commences (no students free day)