On Wednesday evening around 100 Year 7 students, along with their parents, attended an interactive webinar focussed on the study skills essential for high school. Dr Matthew Hill, Director of The Barker Institute, drew on research and Barker-specific expertise to present hard-hitting facts about the way that the brain works and how to maximise study success despite our busy lives.

The session, hosted by James Denton (Head of Middle School) and Kath Driver (Dean of Year 7), covered six talking points, each of which included time for parents and students to discuss how the information impacted them along with their decisions, planning and actions. The purpose was to bring parents and students together, that they may be on the same page and pursue study success as a team, using the best available information as a guide.

Talking points included:

  • Location, location, location
  • Scheduling for success (a blank Homework Planner Dr Hill used is available for download below)
  • The why and how of using a diary
  • Different types of study
  • Maximising memory (and how learning continues in your sleep!)
  • Momentum: Show up and start!

Dr Matthew Hill

Dr Matthew Hill is the Director of The Barker Institute with a focus on professional learning, research, and innovation in the school.  He teaches Physics and the new Science Extension course at the School which introduces students to scientific academic research. Matthew's doctorate reflects his passion for science education focussing on Representational Fluency amongst physics students at school and university. He has published in leadership, education, and science journals and been involved in course development and teaching at The University of Sydney and The University of Western Sydney. He has also completed a Graduate Diploma in Divinity at Ridley College in Melbourne.