Teaching and Learning

MR STEWART PEACOCK, HEAD OF TEACHING AND LEARNING

In 2020 we embarked on several firsts; the first time that students across Years 10–12 completed their study under the new QCE system, and the first time since 1972 that a large proportion of Queensland Year 12 students sat subject-based external assessments. Yet the most significant ‘first’ was the global pandemic.

Perhaps one of the most perplexing characteristics of the COVID-19 pandemic is that it presented us with a challenge with no fixed end point. At the time of writing we still have no idea how long this might last. We learnt that online learning places increased demands on students to become more independent learners, but therein lies the opportunity to develop resilience. They say that conflict breeds innovation, that adversity creates change. So, while ‘Learning from Holme’ produced some inspirational moments, some irritating moments, some fun moments and some frustrating moments, like many teachers, parents and students across the world we experienced new possibilities to do things differently and with greater flexibility, resulting in potential benefits. Staying united and learning together, regardless of opinions on the degree of how positive versus negative potential outcomes are, one can argue that throughout 2020 we were all able to see how truly adaptable life can be.

The Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) is now the ‘main game’. For our girls, achieving their best results in their subjects and courses is the key to maximising their ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank). Yet, balancing their studies with nonacademic pursuits, for most, remains in context.

The single biggest change in the new QCE system is the way students are now assessed in General subjects. Three school-based assessments and an external assessment means fewer assessments overall — an emphasis on quality over quantity. Thankfully, in response to the pandemic, the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) reduced the number of internal assessments for Queensland Year 12s by one, to alleviate the pressure on students.

Fairholme College received very positive feedback from the QCAA with regards to our Endorsement and subsequent Confirmation submissions for 2020. Under the new system, Queensland schools are required to develop internal assessments according to the parameters outlined in the syllabus. These assessment items are then submitted to the QCAA for endorsement before they are used in the classroom. This process ensures that all assessments provide sufficient opportunities for students to demonstrate syllabus requirements and to build teachers’ capacity to develop high-quality assessments. Confirmation, on the other hand, is the annual quality assurance process for ensuring the comparability of student results for summative internal

assessments in General and General (Extension) subjects. For each subject, several randomly selected assessment items are submitted to the QCCA for confirmation. Confirmation is not about marking or remarking students’ work. It is a quality-assurance process that is focused on checking the accuracy and consistency of the judgments made by teachers, to ensure comparability of student results across Queensland. A significant proportion of our teachers are trained and active QCAA Endorsers, Confirmers and Markers; a crucial component for an informed understanding of the workings of the new QCE system.

As one would appreciate, scheduling the 17 days of external assessments across all Queensland schools is a complex logistical exercise involving around 53,000 students sitting 46 General subject external assessments in over 13,000 different subject combinations. In preparation for this event, our Senior Teachers devised a planned sequence at the start of Term 4 for an intensive three-week period to prepare our students thoroughly for the External Examinations, with particular focus on Mock Examination results and feedback as the best methods for exam preparation.

The new approach to assessment also led to changes in the way senior schooling was organised, in order to provide occasions for our Year 12 students to celebrate important final occasions together as a cohort. In a year of major disruptions to normal school life, providing an opportunity for the College community to acknowledge the contributions of our Seniors throughout their years of schooling was perhaps more important than ever before. Events such as Presenting Fairholme and Valedictory celebrations retained the time-honoured traditions that are so important to our College.

In the Middle School, Fairholme continued to build on the sequential programs of study established and fostered in the Junior School. A learning approach is taken to ensure that students are working at levels which are challenging, yet within reach. The principles underlying the best in Middle Schooling suggest that offering students a choice of subjects and allowing them to negotiate areas of interest within a subject – for example, Mathematics – encourages better engagement in learning and a greater degree of understanding of the topic. As such, with the constant review of Elective subjects, in 2021 Fairholme has introduced Agricultural Science as an elective offering in Year 9, whilst interest in Business, Languages and The Arts continues to grow. Our teachers in the Middle School will continue to develop a dynamic curriculum that makes us wish we were at school again.

The Learning Pathways Centre, developed to ensure that all students are offered an opportunity to undertake an exciting and authentic career plan that suits their individual strengths and dreams, has seen the number of students studying Vocational Education and Training (VET) Programs increase yet again. The Year 10 Specialist Elective program is a significant and integral part of the of the Fairholme curriculum; one only has to only drop into the Health Hub on any given Tuesday or look up from our oval to marvel at the skill of our drone pilots, to feel the excitement and enthusiasm and witness ‘real-life learning’ in action.

The academic reputation of the College goes from strength to strength, with our students continuing to achieve outstanding results each year. The Class of 2020 distinguished themselves by achieving outstanding QCE results and subsequent ATARs. Their individual commitment to high academic standards, demonstrated through diligence and perseverance, is noteworthy and has set a fine benchmark for their peers.

After the necessity to switch to online learning in late March, our Year 12s rase to the challenge magnificently. They were superbly supported by our exceptional teaching staff; we are proud that their combined efforts were so well rewarded.

We stand by the wonderful QCAA and ATAR results as accurate assessments of each student’s potential achievement.

I would like to thank the students of Fairholme College, particularly our Year 12 students, for being a delight to work with in 2020. I would also like to thank the parents for being so supportive, particularly of our curriculum directions and choices. Finally, I would like to thank our magnificent staff who are always flexible, creative and committed, and who maintain a wonderful sense of humour which makes Fairholme a happy place to be.