Academic Enrichment
The Saunders Program
The main purpose of the Saunders Program at Loreto Normanhurst is to provide students of high academic potential with an opportunity to work with peers of similar intellectual ability on a regular basis, to help them understand and use their ability in positive ways and to challenge them with ideas and activities not possible within the regular mixed ability classroom. The program, for students in Years 7 and 8, provides a rich, varied and relevant set of enrichment experiences. It is taught by Learning Enrichment staff.
The name of the program comes from Maureen Saunders IBVM. Sr Maureen was Principal of Loreto Normanhurst from 1976—1981. Records show she was a gifted musician, artist, and teacher of French, Mathematics and Literature. As a principal she was a wise leader who encouraged the development of each student so that they could achieve their full potential both at school and then in their tertiary studies, as they chose their careers. Sr Maureen Saunders died in 1996.
Future Problem Solving
Future Problem Solving “equips today’s young people with both the vision and skills needed to anticipate, comprehend and solve problems of today and to build better tomorrows”. (Hack 1991)
Other aspects of the program are: Community Problem Solving which looks at real problems of today; and Scenario Writing, where students write a short story set at least twenty years into the future.
Winners in all sections are invited to represent Australia at the FPS International Conference in America.
University Short Courses
Senior students are offered the opportunity to study a course at either Macquarie University or The University of Sydney in Year 11. Students spend time either after school or in their holidays attending the sessions and completing assignments. The universities give the students credit for work done towards a later degree.
Academic Support
This is offered to students through a number of programs. In Years 7 and Year 8 the emphasis is on general literacy skills; in Year 9 and Year 10 students are able to drop one of their elective subjects and work instead in a small group to receive help with general assignments; In Year 11 they receive support through the Fundamentals of English course and in Year 12 Senior Study Skills, is tailored to suit individual needs. In-class Mathematics support is offered to students in Years 8, 9 and 10 and a teachers’ aide is available to help in Integrated Learning classes.
Homework Help
The promotion of independent learning, good study practices, and availability of expert help with homework are important elements of academic pastoral care at Loreto Normanhurst. All students have access to a wide range of digital and text based resources. In addition all students have access to independent homework help through a dedicated team of teachers who are available most mornings and afternoons ot work with individual students. This assistance may take the form of organizational assistance, proof reading an assignment, assistance in identifying appropriate sources, or in the management of several tasks over a longer time period.
Additionally boarding school students have dedicated teachers who provide assistance in small groups when students are in study periods of an evening. These teachers provide assistance in Mathematics and Science as well as English and humanities based subjects.
