I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the tremendous effort of our PAC teaching and support staff throughout Term 3. It has been inspiring to witness the collaboration between staff and students in advancing learning across thousands of individual lessons. While our college offers a wide array of opportunities for learning outside the classroom, it is the learning that happens in our 53 minute periods, six times a day that is the core of what we are focused on at PAC. Our passionate staff are dedicated to preparing and delivering engaging lessons that equip our young people with the skills and knowledge to better understand the world around them. If you have the opportunity, please reach out to our teaching staff to share your appreciation—whether in person or via email. They truly value hearing from families and students who have benefited from their hard work.

The end of term has seen another Year 12 cohort graduate for the College. 6600 is the approximate number of periods a student who entered high school in Year 7 and graduated on Wednesday has attended. It is through these thousands of periods that our students turn from children into young men and women. The graduation service and subsequent Valedictory dinner enabled our wider school community and Year 12 students to celebrate the years of learning, friendship, shared experiences and create lasting bonds. Congratulations to the Class of 2024 for all that you have achieved during your time at the college. We will be praying for you as you step away from life at school and into a myriad of different pathways.

Looking ahead to Term 4, our Years 7-10 students will be facing examinations. This offers them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learnt across the course of the year. It is important that both parents and students put examinations into perspective: exams are no more or less important than other forms of assessment. They offer students, parents and staff a snapshot of learning at a specific point in time. For many students, exam preparation can be challenging (it should be, learning is often hard).  Andre Fuller is an educational Psychologist that has prepared an excellent fact sheet for students who are looking to be most effective in their preparation. Worth reading as the examination period approaches 

https://andrewfuller.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/how-to-increase-your-marks.pdf

I hope that everyone has a safe renewing break, and that our students return ready to learn. Term 4 commences Monday 14 October and will start with an assembly in the gym for Secondary students.

God Speed