9-12 Community News

Term 2 has continued at a hectic pace with many activities undertaken and many more to look forward to. 

The last few weeks have seen our 9-12 students hit the sports fields in Cross Country, Soccer, Football and Netball.  

Camps also play a significant part of the Term 2 program: our 9/10 Outdoor Environment and Conservation class completed their canoe camp in Barmah and we have had a dedicated group of students attending the Justice Matters camp this week. Next week, the Year 9 cohort will be heading off to Camp Jungai, in the Rubicon Valley and, in Week 9, our Year 10s will be making their way to Melbourne and Bendigo to explore career pathways and tertiary study options on their Urban Experience/Careers camp. This camp will round out the careers focus for all 9-12 levels through the month of May. (Read more about this in the Careers Corner section of this newsletter edition.) 

The focus on career pathways is timely as we encourage students to look to their futures. An important event that is coming up in the next few weeks will be the Senior Pathway Information Evening on 3rd June. This information session is the beginning of the 2027 Subject Selection process, in which current Years 8, 9 and 10 students are asked to select their subject preferences for their 2027 studies. We encourage all Year 8, 9 and 10 students and families to attend this information session. 

As students in Years 9 and 10 have focussed on classwork, camps and careers, the students in Years 11 and 12 have had their eyes on their coursework and assessments. 

VCE UPDATE  

As we reach the mid-point of Term 2, we are also approaching the conclusion of Units 1 & 3, with students completing a range of assessments. We would like to encourage all VCE students to continue to set themselves goals and work steadily towards them. For Year 12 students, the completion of Unit 3 marks a significant milestone in the VCE journey, and students will soon be moving into the final phase of their studies with the commencement of Unit 4.  

Over the final weeks of Term 2, we will begin preparation for Units 2 & 4, which includes consolidating key Units 1 & 3 concepts, identifying areas for improvement and introducing the core content of the final unit. Students will be encouraged to engage in active revision and seek support where needed to ensure they enter Units 2 & 4 with confidence.

Your continued support at home is invaluable. Please encourage your child to maintain a regular study routine and make use of available resources, including revision sessions and teacher feedback.  

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your child’s progress, please do not hesitate to get in touch with subject teachers.  

GAT - Tuesday 16th June

A significant part of the VCE year is the General Achievement Test (GAT). Tuesday 16th June will see the Years 11 and 12 students undertake the GAT, an important examination in the overall VCE journey for our students. 

In preparation for the GAT, students will have the opportunity to complete a practice test in Week 7. 

The GAT is compulsory for all Years 11 and 12 students who are undertaking Unit 3/4 subjects and/or scored VET courses. 

There will be no VCE classes on the day of the GAT. 

We wish all our students the best of luck. 

Important information regarding the GAT Brochure 

Families are advised that the VCAA GAT Information Brochure is attached below. We strongly encourage both parents and students to read through the brochure carefully, as it contains important information about: 

• the purpose of the GAT 

• test structure and timing 

• approved materials and equipment 

• rules and procedures 

• special examination arrangements 

• student expectations on the day 

Students enrolled in a VCE Unit 3 and/or 4 subject received their individual GAT timetable and any approved special provision information on Friday 22nd May  during TA time. 

This was an important session for students to attend to ensure they are fully prepared and aware of their arrangements for the GAT on Tuesday 16th  June. 

If students were absent for this session, they should see Sharon Darling, VCE Coordinator, as soon as possible on their return to school. 

Years 9/10 Food Elective

Last week Years 9/10 students made pork sausage stroganoff tagliatelle as part of their current study on grains and the importance of carbohydrates as a macronutrient for growth and development.

Billy and Regan did a great job of their presentation and plating. 

We have attached the recipe for you to try at home. 

Year 12 Biology

Year 12 Biology students investigating how different sugars affect the rate of respiration in yeast.

Unit 3 Outdoor Environmental Studies 

This semester the Unit 3 OES students have been studying the Barmah National Park. We visited the Nathalia Heritage Centre where we focused on the different relationships that people had with the Barmah National Park. We enjoyed seeing the beautiful artwork on the floor of the heritage centre and took lots of notes for our logbooks. 

We had a visit to the Dharnya centre where we walked and talked on Country with Yorta Yorta guides. We learnt about the history of Yorta Yorta people and the deep spiritual connection they had and still have with Barmah National Park. The guide showed us how to make fire by rubbing sticks, throw a hunting stick and what bush tucker we could eat. Some of us found the pepper plant very spicy.  

The last part of learning and exploring the Barmah National Park was a three day canoe down the Murray River. We started at the Gulf camping ground and paddled 60Km through the Barmah National Park observing the flora and fauna. It was a very cold few days, but we enjoyed chats, games, hot chocolates and marshmallow by the fire each evening. We also enjoyed our pie from the Nathalia Bakery at the end and a hot shower. We are now back in class putting all our learnings together with theory ready for our assessment.