VCE Sub-School
The finish line is in sight and there is no doubt there will be a mix of excitement and nerves as we approach the final exams.
Unit 3 & 4 Practice Exams
During the first two weeks of Term 4 students will complete Practice Exams for each of their subjects. During practice exam periods, regular classes will be cancelled. The schedule has been developed to approximate the VCAA Exam period and ensure a balance between class time, revision time and practice exams. The first Monday will be the biggest day with most students completing multiple exams. While this will be challenging, it’s an opportunity to build our resilience and set high expectations for what we can achieve. It’s an excellent opportunity to check our revision progress and identify growth areas to focus on during the final weeks.
Schedule
The Practice Exam schedule has been posted to Compass and will also appear on each student’s Compass schedule. There are very few exam clashes but if an exam needs to be re-scheduled, a Google Form has also been posted to Compass. Note that any exam with a listening component should be attended and not re-scheduled.
Process
Each practice exam will have 5 minutes of reading time, with the exception of the English exams (15 minutes) followed by the same writing time as the subject’s VCAA exam. All Practice exams will be run under VCAA rules. This means you should not bring any materials that are not permitted (such as mobile phones, opaque pencil cases or water bottles). Please arrive at your practice exam location at least 10 minutes prior to your start time and bring your student ID.
Year 11 students
Year 11 students studying a Unit 3 & 4 subject will be expected to attend their respective subject’s trial exam. If you are missing a class for a practice exam, please communicate this information to your relevant Year 11 classroom teacher in advance.
Exam Preparation Seminars
Examination Preparation Seminars will be held from Monday 21st October to Thursday 24th October. Each Unit 3 & 4 subject will host a single session on Monday (as per the usual timetable) and a double session in larger cohort groups across the remainder of the week – the schedule for these double sessions has been posted to Compass.
Exam Preparation Seminars are designed to provide focused and targeted examination preparation as students intensify their work toward the final VCE examinations. Students will have the opportunity to collaborate with peers and teachers on subject specific revision and examination strategies and resources. All students are expected to attend, and a roll will be recorded. Students need to bring a pen and charged device, along with any other materials flagged by your classroom teacher.
Year 11 students who are completing a Unit 3 & 4 study are expected to attend their relevant seminars. Please communicate any Unit 2 absence due to Exam preparation seminars to your classroom teacher in advance.
Offsite Exam Preparation
In the days between the Exam Preparation Seminars and official exams, note that teachers are still very available to help students prepare. Be sure to stay in contact and to reach out if there any questions or concerns. The same can be said for your Senior Sub-school Coordinator – the team are here to support you every step of the way.
VCAA Examinations
While the language oral examination and the various performance examinations are taking place throughout October, as well as the Extended Investigation externally-assessed oral presentation, the 2024 VCAA Examinations will begin with the English and EAL exam on Tuesday 29th October. Each Year 12 student - and any Year 11 student completing a Year 12 subject – will receive their own individual exam timetable at the beginning of Term 4 but the complete timetable can be found on the VCAA website – it is also posted on Compass. Be sure to check the starting time of each examination with the aim to arrive at least 30 minutes earlier.
Final Year 12 Assembly and 2024 Graduation and Valedictory Evening
This year, we will be having a Final Year 12 Assembly in Sharman Hall on Monday 21st October. The Final Assembly gives students a chance to come together as an entire cohort and celebrate not just 2024 but to reflect on their time at school. The Assembly, attended by students and staff, promises to be a lot of fun and an excellent way to conclude the official final school day!
The Graduation and Valedictory Evening will be held a Moonee Valley Racecourse on Wednesday November 20th beginning at 7pm. On the night, ALL students will be presented with their graduation certificate, there will be a number of guest speakers and guest presenters and a number of awards will be presented throughout the evening. The evening is open to all students and their families to attend.
More information about these exciting events will be released at the beginning of Term 4.
Josh Madden
Head of VCE Sub-School