Do Not Fear

WHY DO EXAMS?

Say the word “exams” and some people quake in their boots, others embrace the opportunity. So why does “the system” put such an emphasis on this type of assessment? Exams allow students to demonstrate their breadth of knowledge across a particular subject and their ability to apply this knowledge to relatable questioning. This is more difficult to achieve with other forms of assessment. Students also demonstrate their ability to retrieve and apply knowledge on the spot, which is a skill necessary in many professions, and of course in the VCE examinations. Regardless of the debate around exams, it is something that all students who complete their VCE will need to confront and master. 

The last two and a half years of pandemic lockdowns have restricted our ability and desire to run an exam process for our junior students. This year we are starting to build the skills necessary to ensure students feel familiar, more comfortable and less stressed at the concept of examinations. During the week commencing November 14th, all students in years 7 to 11 will sit some form of internally assessed examination at the end of semester two and of course, our year 12 students will sit the VCE external examinations.

At junior campus, these will run as follows:

Year 7 – exams in English and Maths in their usual class time and classroom with their classroom teacher. There is a classroom schedule for these exams. 

Year 8 – exams in English and Maths in the Hall following an examination schedule and a more formal process.

When not sitting examinations, year 7 & 8 will continue with their usual classes each day. 

Year 9 – exams in  English, Maths and Science in the Hall following an examination schedule  and a formal process.

All students in years 7 to 11 will also undertake our annual PAT testing throughout the exam week. This testing helps us further assess student growth, gaps in student learning and any need to review curriculum and assessment practices. PAT testing times and days for each year level will appear on the students timetable. 

Students in year 9 need only attend their examination and PAT testing times on Monday November 14th, Tuesday November 15th , Wednesday November 16th. No other classes will run for year 9 over these 3 days. As Thursday November 17th is the last day on the Bluff Road Campus for year 9, there will be is a farewell assembly, followed by an opportunity to choose a treat from an icecream truck. Year 9 will be dismissed by lunch time on this day. 

Friday November 18th is a pupil free day for all students in years 7 to 11, except for year 10 who are sitting their AGAT.

The examination schedule will be sent via Compass before the end of this term. 

In preparation for this reintroduction of examinations, we have been running some study skills sessions to assist students with planning their study time, how to study for examinations and the difference between homework and reviewing notes. 

Years 8 & 9 have been given some exam preparation strategies to practice and year 7 have commenced looking at how to apply a Growth Mindset to build resilience. All year levels have developed a Study Planner and we hope that you as a family have had the opportunity to look at your young persons individual Study Plan and how we can work together to achieve these study goals. We will be looking at more study strategies next term, as we move closer to the examination week.

NAPLAN

As you would have seen in the media, the publishing of the NAPLAN results has been delayed due to the impact of the pandemic on the number of late tests being sat across the State. As soon as results become available, we will be sending these out to families. More information will be sent to you via Compass, as soon as we hear from VCAA, which is the assessing authority.

GIRLS STUDY CLUB

Thankyou to Prue Slingsby and Laura Hulley who have worked with some of our students to form a girls study club after school on a Monday afternoon. This is open to all students who would like to join in and study in groups, make new like minded friends, share ideas and hear from our wellbeing team regarding self care. If you would like to join in, just turnup in S9 after school on a Monday.

See you all in term four!

Vivienne McElwee

Campus Principal