News &
Events

Feedback is one of the most powerful influences on learning achievement. Effective feedback leads to positive changes in teaching and learning practices and significant improvements in student outcomes.

The feedback provided through semester reports and the Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences held throughout the final week of term for VCE students, are an opportunity for teachers to share with their parents the progress their son or daughter is making in each of their subjects. Our aim is to also provide such feedback with a focus on how students can further apply themselves to improve their learning.

As we end the Pentecost Term, I encourage all our students to reflect on the year so far and to be proud of their individual achievements. I also encourage all our students to take on the advice from their teachers, and use the feedback received to establish the strategies that will allow them to improve their learning and to achieve success in all their subjects.

On behalf of the College, I would also like to thank you for your support as we continue to work in partnership in supporting your child to shine in all that they do at Thomas Carr College.

Semester One Examinations
Semester One examinations concluded on Friday 16 June, and it has been very pleasing to see how our students have approached their semester examinations. For our senior students in Years 10 and 11, these have been an important step in setting the expectations and preparing them for the rigours of future VCE and other related examinations.

Students will receive feedback from their teachers following these examinations with additional feedback placed on SIMON for parents to view. This aim of this feedback is to identify areas of achievement as well as areas for future improvement to support students with their learning.

If you have any questions about the semester examinations for Years 10 or 11 students, please contact Mrs. Daniela Bombardieri-Szabo (Head of Learning and Teaching – Senior School).

Any questions related to the assessment and reporting arrangements for Years 7 to 9 students can be directed to Mr. Stephen Manitta (Head of Learning and Teaching – Middle School).

Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences (VCE Units 3/4)
Thank you to all the parents who took the time to meet with their son or daughter’s subject teachers during the Parent-Teacher-Student (PTS) Conferences. These were held for all students in Years 11 and 12 who are studying a VCE Unit 3/4 subject, and I hope these conversations were valuable in providing feedback for these students as they enter the final stages of their VCE subjects.

Due to the nature of these interviews, we acknowledge that not all parents may have had the opportunity to book an interview with all their child’s teachers. This also extends to cases where your child’s subject teachers may not have been available. If for any reason you were unable to book an interview during these set times, please contact your child’s teacher to make alternative arrangements and to schedule an online conversation at a mutually suitable time.

For any other questions related to your child’s overall progress, please contact your child’s Pastoral and Learning Mentor (PaLM), or House Leader (Years 10 to 12).

To discuss any major concerns that you may have with your child’s overall progress in completing their VCE subjects, please contact Mrs. Daniela Bombardieri-Szabo (Head of Learning and teaching – Senior School). For matters related to their wellbeing, please contact Mr. Tony Muller (Director of Students – Senior School).

Semester One Reports
Semester One Reports will be available for parents to access via PAM on Friday 23 June (3.00pm). Parents will receive a SMS and a notification via Operoo with the details in how to access your child’s report.

If there are any difficulties in accessing these reports, please contact the College.

Semester Two Timetables
Student timetables will be updated to reflect their Semester Two classes during the school holidays. All students are reminded to check their timetable on SIMON prior to the start of next term and begin to plan for their Semester Two classes.

If students have any questions related to their Semester Two timetable, they are asked to please contact their Pastoral and Learning Mentor (PaLM).

Staffing
We thank all staff members for the contribution they have made to the College and for the positive impact they have had in teaching our students during this time. We wish the very best to those who are moving to new schools next term. At the start of next term, we will formally announce any new staff member to the College and inform individual classes of their new subject teachers.

2024 Subject Selection
In Term Three, students will begin working through the subject selection process in preparation for 2024.

We ask that you please note the following key dates:

 Tuesday 18 July – Learning Pathways Expo (Senior School)
 Thursday 10 August – Subject Selection Interviews (Years 9 and 10 students)

Further information outlining the subject selection process and the details of these events will be made available at the start of Term Three.

In the meantime, students may wish to access the current 2023 Subject Handbooks available on the College website under Learning and Teaching. The 2024 Subject Handbooks will be available next semester.

Students are also encouraged to see their subject teacher or Pastoral and Learning Mentor (PaLM) with any questions and to begin discussing possible subjects and future pathways for 2024.

Mr. Andrew Bryson
Deputy Principal – Staff and Learning Operations