With change, some students may come home feeling frustrated or overwhelmed by their classwork and homework. To support students’ emotional responses to learning, here are some valuable insights.

Educational researcher James Anderson explores the concept of "Learnership"—a mindset focused on helping learners get the most out of their learning experiences.

It's common for children to come home and say, "This is stupid" "I'm never going to use this" or "I just don’t get it". As parents/carers, our instinct is to quickly reassure them. However, Anderson suggests that while acknowledging their feelings is important, we can also help reframe their mindset by saying:

We need to focus on teaching students to recognise and accept the uncomfortable feeling of being challenged. The key difference between students who push into the learning zone, compared to those who stay in the comfort zone, is having learner agency. Learner agency is taking initiative in the face of challenge. If learning is easy, we are really just staying busy. If it's hard, we are getting better. Why choose busy when you can get better?

Our school has worked hard to develop Behaviours for Learning, ensuring a calm and structured environment for students. Now it's time to also consider the Behaviours of Learning—helping students understand that real progress comes through facing challenges, persistence, and deliberate practice.

Mrs Kate Geary & Mrs Karen A Hart
Directors of Learning

Friday 7 March

Coastal Swimming - Bluewater Colac

Wednesday 26 March

Greater Western Swimming - Horsham

Tuesday 1 April

House Athletics Sports - Trinity College

Date: Wednesday 19 March 2025

Time: 3:40pm - 6:00pm

Bookings open on PAM: Friday 7 March 3:30pm

Helpful information:

SLC's will offer feedback on student achievements, areas for improvement and strategies to ensure they remain on track with their studies. Open communication between students, parents, and teachers plays a crucial role in academic success and we strongly encourage all families to take part in these discussions.

By working in partnership, we can ensure that each student is supported in their learning journey, helping them manage their workload, refine their study habits and prepare for their upcoming assessments with confidence.

For all other enquiries or if you require assistance booking your conversations, please contact College Reception on 5233 9200.

Mrs Karen A Hart
Director or Learning Years 10-12

So, why teach self-regulation? “Regulation is something everyone continually works on whether we are aware of it or not. We all encounter trying circumstances that can test our limits. If we can recognise when we are becoming less regulated, we are able to do something about it to manage our feelings and get ourselves to a healthy place. This comes more naturally for some, but for others it is a skill that needs more attention and practice. This is the goal of The Zones of Regulation.” (The Zones of Regulation)

The Green Zone describes a calm and alert state. We may be feeling happy, focused, content, peaceful or calm in the Green Zone. The nervous system feels safe, organised, and connected in the Green Zone, helping us be primed to learn. However, we can learn in other Zones too.

When in the Green Zone we regulate by using tools and supports that keep us moving forward comfortably, helping us feel ready to go! In the Green Zone, we might regulate by choosing to eat a healthy snack, exercise, take a break, or pause for a mindful moment. These restorative actions help us proactively care for ourselves so we can move forward with ease.

5 Parenting Tips for Raising Resilient, Self-Reliant Kids - Tameka Montgomery

“How do you raise kids to step outside of their comfort zones and unlock their inner potential? It all starts with helping them develop a resilient mindset. Mother and business owner Tameka Montgomery makes the case for cultivating an entrepreneurial outlook at an early age -- and offers five strategies for emboldening young minds to embrace opportunities and solve their own problems, no matter the path they choose.”

5 Parenting Tips for Raising Resilient, Self-Reliant Kids - Tameka Montgomery | Trinity College - Colac

Trinity College Colac Wellbeing: Nurturing Minds, Supporting Growth

Overcoming those squeaks and wrong notes is all part of the journey for young musicians – it teaches persistence, the kind of perseverance that helps them keep going when things aren’t perfect. And, when they do get it right, the sense of achievement is priceless! Sure, your young musician won’t be a concert-grade performer in a week, but with regular practice and support, they’ll definitely keep improving. Remember, not every student learns at the same pace and that's totally okay. Patience from both the student and their listeners is key.

At home practice is as important as a music lesson, if not more. It is where the consolidation happens and the muscle memory for notes and music reading is developed. Even short sessions of 5-10 minutes can make a world of difference. I understand that it’s not always easy to find time—especially with after-school schedules being so packed—but if your child can squeeze in just a few practice slots here and there, you’ll be amazed at the progress they’ll make.

As a young musician, I would practice while my Mum peeled the veggies for dinner or while Dad did the dishes. My parents would provide feedback on what went well and what could be improved. I always felt supported in my music learning and that had a huge impact on me. Over time my versions of “Hot Cross Buns” became songs they knew and loved and soon enough, I was playing higher-level classical music that my parents knew just as well as I did by the time I sat for my exams. If the weather was favourable, I would practice outside and even my neighbours became part of my music journey. Years later, they would tell me stories about listening to my pieces develop and the hours I spent learning scales.

Whether your young musician is just starting out or at VCE level, please help them on their practice journey and be a part of it with them where you can. The Jubilee Centre is available in break time each day for students to practice. After all, learning music is as much about the process as it is about the performance!

Mrs Kelly Kerr
Music Programs Coordinator & Concert Band Coordinator