Learning and Teaching 

Year 9 and 10 Exams

Year 9 and 10 take place next week in core subjects. We recently wrote to families (and each student in a separate email) providing details of the exams and the timetable, however more importantly we spoke of the perspective from which we should view them. They are both an assessment and a learning for our boys at this stage, and it is crucial that we take such an approach.

Subject-based exams commence at Year 9. They are an effective and efficient way of assessing students that provide a snapshot of their learning over the term. Like all assessments, they are very good in some regards, and have particular shortcomings in others. Nevertheless, they are viewed in a positive light here at the College.

In another regard, and particularly at Years 9 and 10, they are a valuable learning opportunity. The VCE relies heavily on exams in order to determine study scores in subjects, and in this regard any student wanting to have a scored VCE subject (including VET) need to be adept at completing exams. At Years 9 and 10, the students still have time to consciously develop their ability to do exams. Guiding the boys in this regard must be gradual and targeted. 

The three key areas for our boys to focus on in this round of exams are;

1. Wellbeing- Students should eat well and get good quality sleep in order to perform their best. Additional to this is seeking support if they feel overwhelmed or overly stressed.
2. Study- Developing strong skills in note-taking, summarising, rehearsal, and memorisation, for example
3. Exam Technique- Understanding how to use reading time, as well as allocating adequate time to particular parts of the exam, is vital. The importance of planning this time so that exams can be read over at the end is worth developing.

The focus from the teachers for this round of exams is exam technique, whereby students will be given very explicit instruction on how best to utilise time and plan for the exam. This focus will change throughout exam periods, ensuring that students have a clear understanding of how to perform best when exam time comes around. 

We also invite parents and carers to be a part of this conversation and learning. There is not one way to learn; being exposed to a variety of approaches, particularly around approaches to thinking and remembering, is valuable as it allows each individual to find a way that works for them.

Parent-Student-Teacher Interviews

Earlier in the term we undertook our first round of parent-student-teacher interviews. These were conducted over three separate days (or parts thereof) and were well received by most families. Nevertheless, we continually look to gather reliable feedback and look to make adjustments that best support learning. As a result, should you wish to provide any feedback, the link is below;

https://forms.gle/26MT6AN6qwEYp7VGA

As a means of supporting the learning of each and every student here at the College, we highly value the relationship between the family and school. In that regard, feedback is vital. Thank you for the ongoing investment in time and energy in support of your son/charge; we look forward to continuing to work closely with you.

Brenden Mair

Deputy Principal

Teaching and Learning