Third term’s a charm

The midway point of the year is fast approaching and we’re now hot on the heels of Term 3. As education professionals in general, and during report writing time in particular, it can feel like there’s never enough time to think ahead and plan for next term. No need to worry because we’ve got you covered: we’ve prepared a short list of what to watch for in Term 3, similar to our Term 2 cheat sheet. We sat down with Libby Kempton, former Maths and Science teacher for 13 years and Faculty Coordinator for 4 years, to get her insights:

• Last term for teaching Year 12 VCE/HSC subjects: This item is a big one for Term 3. While it doesn’t apply to all teachers, wrapping up teaching Year 12 subjects and beginning exam preparation is a major focus for all schools. Libby suggests that all content is finalised a couple of weeks before Term 3 ends so that exam practice can begin. This way, students go into the holidays with everything they need to know and can confidently begin revision. For more tips on how to prepare Year 12 students for exams, stay tuned for our comprehensive guide in the coming weeks.
• Booklisting decisions: A task that can often get overlooked – as it won’t be relevant until Term 1 next year – making an informed booklist decision early can alleviate a lot of stress down the road. Having been a Faculty Coordinator, Libby suggests that all teachers get involved with the decision-making process for their own subject. It’s important to obtain resources from the titles that are of interest, hold meetings and read over the material so that everyone can get a clear picture of what’s on offer. What’s more, planning for the following year can begin in Term 4 if the materials are ready. To view Jacaranda resources for 2017, please visit our website and watch for sample material that will become available in the coming weeks.
• Parent-teacher interviews: Libby’s advice is not to stress as much about these interviews since the more challenging batch (Term 2 interviews) are over and Term 3 should be more of a ‘review’ of what has happened since. Libby suggests looking at results from the past few months and comparing them with the goals and objectives set out in Term 2. This will help shape the interviews as more of a review exercise and reduce stress for teachers who would otherwise have to repeat the same process from Term 2.

There are, of course, many other events to look out for in Term 3, but these few are the critical ones to focus on. If you have any other suggestions for how to prepare, let us know in the comments below! We’re keen to hear where you spend the most time and effort.