Teaching and Learning

Flying Start

Monday 25 November 25 to Friday 5 December 

For Flying Start, our students in Years 7 to 11 move into Years 8 to 12, spending two weeks in their 2025 classes and, in most cases, getting to know their teacher as well. 

This is a time of formal classes with normal expectations for our students around uniform, attendance, punctuality and application.

Students will be given in-class learning activities as well as home learning during this time; we look forward to a productive end to the school year and a smooth commencement to 2025.

Should any student be unable to attend, families are to notify the College via PAM as the official channel. 

Home Learning

As the semester draws to a close, students in Years 9 to 11 are facing exams in a structured and formal manner. In addition, Years 7 and 8 also face assessments that will make determinations regarding what they have learned in past two terms. 

There is often a theme to how students respond at these times; most find them somewhat stressful as they feel the pressure to perform and manage their time. Others draw comfort from the fact they have invested time and energy into their learning and feel well prepared. It would also be remiss to not highlight those students who want to do well, however don’t know how and may think it is simply too hard. The implication is that improvement is beyond them. That is, no matter what they do they cannot get better.

As a College, we hold deeply the belief that all students can learn and improve. 

We recognise that students vary across this spectrum, however remain committed to developing positive habits that serve the students well beyond their time at St Bede's. Home Learning - homework, study or the like - is a crucial element of learning that both reinforces prior learning and develops a habit that serves individuals well. Students will often indicate that they ‘do what they need to’ at home. That is, they complete their tasks set by the teacher. Home Learning, however, is more than that. 

Applying a task approach to learning ignores the simple fact that learning never stops. Tasks can be completed, whilst learning is infinite. As a College, we encourage students to apply a time approach. That is, giving time over to learn at home and then filling that time. In the current climate, this may involve creating flash cards and revising, continually reflecting on what one knows or, more importantly, what they need to learn to improve. Other ways to effectively fill time set aside for learning include reading a novel, creating mnemonics to help remember key knowledge and accessing past exam papers or assessment tasks and completing relevant questions for rehearsal.

By taking control of learning and preparing well in advance, students will be better prepared for exams and assessments when the time comes. Similarly, they take ownership and know themselves as learners; what is the best way for me to learn what I need to learn so that I can experience success. For it is beyond St Bede’s College that we equip our students, giving them the tools to flourish in whatever their chosen pursuit might be.

Exam Periods

Year 11 VCE Exams

• Friday 8 November to Wednesday 20 November - Exams, no classes running.

Year 10 Exams

• Elective Subject Exams - Monday 11 November and Tuesday 12 November (Year 10 classes still running)
• Core Subject Exams - Thursday 14 November to Tuesday 19 November (No classes running)

Year 9 Exams

• Thursday 14 November to Tuesday 19 November (Classes run as normal around exams)

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Teaching and Learning Department at the College.

Brenden Mair

Deputy Principal - Teaching and Learning