Erina High School

A caring community committed to excellence

Telephone02 4367 7353

Emailerina-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Senior Study Sessions

Senior Study Program- 2021 Academic Enrichment Team

The Senior Studies objective is to create a structured Program that incorporates Evidence Based Teaching and Learning strategies to support and coach students to develop the study skills and habits needed to reach their full academic potential in their HSC year.

This program runs in the place of free periods during period 1, 2, 3 and 4. These periods are mandatory for student and will be tracked for attendance and truancy patterns. Particular focus is placed on building skills in effective goal setting, self-reflection and analysis (understanding yourself as a learner), organisation, resilience and motivation, which are needed to push the top achievers into academic excellence, and the lower middle achievers to a place of academic independence and self-driven improvement. A heavy emphasis on feedback will be essential to the success of the program; as it is vital students understand their specific weaknesses in order to continuously improve their academic performance. Welfare support is an integral aspect of the program, as students study habits, examination skills and stress levels are largely impacted by the burdens facing young people and placed on them by their lives outside of school.

Structure

This program is aimed at year 11 and year 12 students. Once student drop classes, they are timetable on to study periods when they have free periods during periods 1, 2, 3 and 4. These periods incorporate group workshops on developing learning styles and study skills, one on one coaching sessions for setting goals. Structured individual study time and welfare and stress management (“safe space sessions”)

Workshops cover study skills such as effective note taking, organisation, time management, productivity, procrastination, exam techniques, long response writing, decoding exam questions, dealing with pressure and strength and resilience. These workshops are tailored to the needs of each group and student suggestions/ requests will be used to drive the content. The workshops are run once a week in the early stages of the program, to ensure students have the skills they need to study effectively. Once student feels confident, these workshops are every few weeks, or directed by student need.

Structured individual study time is given to each student during the session in which workshops are not run. Students understand that this is time to be taken very seriously, and they come to the session with clear study goals, which they write down on their Study Goal/ Reflection’s sheet at the beginning of each week which they will reflect at the end of the week.

Coaching Sessions with each student in the group. These sessions are designed to check in with students on their HSC journey and ensure they are coping. Students are encouraged to bring a goal to these sessions to work through with the coordinator. This is also a time to check in with attendance, N awards and overall academic progress. The Individual study learning plans students create are also heavily reflected on throughout these sessions.

Furthermore, during these sessions verbal feedback is given in addition to the written feedback on students practice essays and writing, for those who have utilised the Draft, Edit and Feedback System. Students who do not have free periods, or who requires further coaching sessions can book in for this support before or after school, recess or lunch or in the Senior Studies Coordinators free time, by using the one on one book in sheet.

Safe Space Sessions are the time in which welfare, pressure, stress and mental health concerns are addressed. Referrals may be made to counsellors or phone calls home if there are concerns.

Key Pedagogical strategies implemented

Identification and understanding of personal learning style

Students needs to be able to understand themselves as learners so they are equipped to thrive in the challenging subjects of the HSC. Workshops are run early in the senior studies program, along with online tests, to understand and identify styles and techniques. Strategies are given on how students can use this knowledge to their advantage when learning and studying.

Development and ongoing use of individual learning plans

Students work closely with the Senior Studies Coordinator to create an individual Learning Plan, that incorporates their past results, develops effective short and long term goals and is guided by their Individual Learning Style, allowing them to develop an efficient and effective study plan, and to stick with it. Students fill out detailed self reflection survey regarding their past study habits, strengths, weaknesses, goals and pressure and this is used as a base for their learning plans.

Development of Study timetable

Students participate in workshops specifically designed to help them develop a realistic and effective study timetable and form the habits required to stick with it.

Implementation of Tailored Study skills workshops

Study skills workshops is an interactive environment will allow students to plan collaboratively and build skills and resilience for ongoing academic success. Workshops include organisation, time management, exam performance, reading/ writing techniques, exam questions deconstruction, stress management, memorisation, listening skills, effective note taking, mind mapping etc.

Structured Individual Study Session

With a solid understanding of their learning style, clear goals and a good foundation of study skills, students begin to use these sessions as time to participate in individual study. All students fill out a weekly Goal/ Reflection sheet beginning of each week and which gives them clear focus and time to reflect on how effective they were and the distractions they faced.

One on one consultation/ coaching sessions

One on one coaching sessions are run with every student on a fortnightly basis. These are scheduled within their Senior Study periods, or throughout recess, lunch before or after school or SS free periods. These sessions are used to develop short- and long-term goals, check in on academic progress, stress levers, talk through feedback on work or discuss any concerns or questions relevant to the HSC. They are also used as a way of ensuring students are aware of N awards, attendance concerns and year notifications.

Wellbeing workshops

Safe Space sessions are the time in which welfare, pressure, stress and mental health concerns are addressed. These sessions will include but not limited to anonymous contributions, writing therapy, team building, meditation, problem solving and group sharing/discussion. The worry wall and the tree of triumph may be utilized on the senior studies room as a tool to help them cope and know that they are not alone in this journey.

Develop a cohesive ICT platform for Senior studies program

Utilisaiton of Google Drive and Google classroom where students can access resources, their individual progress and learning plans and any other resources taught in workshops.

If you require further information please contact myself or Mrs Shaddock.

Regards,

Glenn Mallon