DEPUTY PRINCIPAL LEARNING AND TEACHING

VO AND SENIOR PATHWAYS INFORMATION EVENING

On Tuesday July 26, we held our VO and Senior Pathways Information Evening for students who will be in Years 9 to 12 in 2023. There were presentations on Vertical Organisation – Years 9 and 10 (two sessions) and the VCE/VCE Vocational Major. The evening involved most staff and ran from 7:30pm to 9:00pm. (Many staff contributed extra time on top of this.)

Thank you to everyone who was involved in this evening. It was great to be able to hold this event face-to-face. Personal interaction with parents and students is an invaluable opportunity to engage the students with their families in the important process of subject selection and highlight the extensive range of subjects and opportunities we offer our students. The evening was well attended and received by our college community. 

For the first time, we ran the Snow Camp Information Evening concurrently with the VO and Senior Pathways Information Evening. This was implemented to reduce the number of nights parents needed to attend school information sessions.

SUBJECT SELECTION - CRITICAL DATE AUGUST 12

Students in Years 8, 9, 10 and 11 are currently selecting subjects they wish to undertake as part of Vertical Organisation – Years 9/10, or VCE/VCE Vocational Major - Years 11/12 in 2023. It is important, but not always an easy process. Students should take the time to familiarise themselves with the various subjects offered. 

We are using 'Web Preferences', an online subject selection platform we have used for the last few years. A video explanation is available on our college website for those unfamiliar with this process. 

On Friday July 22, I presented to the Year 8 students to start their subject selection process. Students received their access codes and passwords to enable them to select their subjects online via Web Preferences. Year 9, 10 and 11 students received their access codes and passwords on Monday July 25, via their Homeroom rolls.

Subject selection booklets are available on the college website, along with instructional videos including explanations on What is VO?, Accessing Web Preferences, and how to undertake the task of Selecting Subjects.

It is important for parents to involve themselves in this process. I encourage parents/caregivers to talk to their child about what they want to do, why they want to do it, and how best to achieve their goals.  

During this time, Homeroom teachers will also work with students from their homerooms to ensure that students fully understand the process and support them as they undertake these important selections. 

Students must have completed their subject selections on Friday August 12, by 4:00pm.  We use the data from their preferences to create the timetable for next year. If students have not completed their selections by this date, their choices will not be considered when creating the timetable. Ultimately, this could mean they cannot undertake the subjects they were hoping to in 2023. It is in their best interest to complete their selections on time. 

GAT (GENERAL ACHIEVEMENT TEST) - WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 7

All students currently enrolled in a Year 12 subject (including any Year 11 students undertaking a Year 12 subject) will be required to undertake the GAT on Wednesday September 7.

There have been significant changes this year in that there will be two tests (rather than one), and Year 12 students (including VCAL students) will also need to sit the GAT. As a result, there will be no classes for Year 11 and 12 students on this day.

TERM 3 HOLIDAYS – YEAR 12 PRACTICE EXAM CYCLE

We know one of the most effective ways to improve student results in VCE is for students to complete and receive feedback on as many practice exams as possible. Therefore, we are running a formal Year 12 practice exam cycle during the first three days of the Term 3 holidays.

These will be run just like the actual Year 12 exams. We will employ invigilators to supervise the exams, and the exact conditions as those for the VCAA exams will apply to this exam cycle. Students will be given an exam timetable and expected to be in full college uniform.

Given this new program, we understand that there may be families who have already made plans for that week. However, we are hopeful that the vast majority of students studying Year 12 subjects will be able to make the most of this opportunity and consequently improve their VCE results. Full practice exam schedule details can be found within the document attached below.

SNOW CAMP

We are very excited to prepare for the Year 11 Snow Camp, which will occur in Week 8 of Term 3. Year 11 students and their families attended an information session for the Year 11 Snow Camp on Tuesday July 26, and are eager to be heading to Australia’s biggest and premier snow destination, Perisher. 

Perisher Ski Resort is Australia’s most popular ski area and the largest in the southern hemisphere. Perisher is located in Kosciuszko National Park. The resort spans seven peaks and is home to more than 1,245 skiable hectares. It also has 47 lifts and 113 runs.

This year, we are staying much closer to the snow resort at Wilsons Valley, which is 1400 metres above sea level. This will make the commute to the resort each day much shorter, which will mean more skiing and boarding time.

COURAGE TO CARE PROGRAM

Recently students in Years 9 and 10 were fortunate to have the “Courage to Care” regional outreach program at the college after previous attempts during COVID-19. 

Courage to Care’s workshops and volunteers educate children and adults about the dangers of racism, prejudice and bullying while examining how these intersect with bystander behaviour.

This innovative program uses the backdrop of the Holocaust to initiate discussions on how to counter discrimination and increase awareness of an individual’s power to make a difference. Live and recorded testimonies from survivors’ lived experiences lend meaningful weight to the presentations and activities.

Participants left empowered with newfound knowledge and practical tools to help them take positive action in their own lives and communities.

I want to thank our Humanities team, in particular Mrs Amanda Morrison, Mrs Michelle Winderlich and Mrs Andrea Chamberlain, for their work in getting the program to St Joseph’s College and for their detailed organisation of the two days.

Students and teachers alike really enjoyed this workshop and learned so much. Being brave and having the courage to work for justice can seem challenging, but Courage to Care has given our young people insight into what they can do to become ‘Courageous Upstanders’.

Mr Greg Kluske

Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching