VCE Coordinator
Ms. Simone McLaughlin
VCE news – End of Term Two 2026
It has been an extremely busy time for our VCE students in both Year 11 and 12, with Retreat, exams, assessments and the GAT all happening over the last week. In what has been a long term, students are currently dealing with stress, illness and deadlines and everyone is definitely on the countdown to the holidays.
Retreat Day 2 Monday 15th June
Year 12 students had the opportunity to participate in a second (follow up) Retreat Day on Monday 16th June with myself and Mrs Shannon. Students were invited to reflect on their year so far, with the focus being on ‘Growth’ and ways to finish the year well. We shared a lunch of roast pork and lamb rolls, then the students came together to reflect on their school years and experiences, looking at the highlights of their time at St Mary’s and sharing positive observations of their peers in different ways, including writing their affirmations for each person in the year level. Overall, it was a really lovely experience and a privilege to share this special day with them.
GAT – General Achievement Test
On Tuesday 16th June, 52 Years 12 and 11 students sat the GAT (General Achievement Test), the statewide test which all students enrolled in any Unit 3 and 4 subject in Victoria must complete. The GAT covers areas such as Numeracy and Literacy, Science, Humanities and General Knowledge. Our students were excellent and managed the expectations of a serious exam very well. It is especially great practice for anyone who will be sitting the end of year exams, as students were expected to follow the VCAA guidelines for exam practices, including what materials they were allowed to bring in and time constraints on top of the actual completion of the two papers.
La Trobe University Bendigo excursion
Finally, 23 Year 12 students made their way to the La Trobe campus in Bendigo on Wednesday 17th June where we were taken on a tour of the campus and accommodation available next year and our students were given their hoodies for participating in the Regional Pathways program. Students were able to see the types of accommodation on offer and were taken through a great presentation about applying for university, scholarships and the like. We are very grateful to Steph, Mia and the team (including past Yr 12 student Xavier Sinkeler) who looked after us on the day.
Reminders: Unit 3&4 Practice Exams – September Holidays (Monday 21st – Friday 25th September).
Students who are completing any Unit 3&4 VCE subjects will be expected to attend the practice examinations, which will be held at the school in the first week of the September holidays. This will also involve the Year 11 students who are enrolled in Unit 3&4 General Maths or Psychology. Families are asked to please avoid planning any holidays away in that first week.
A timetable will be released at a later date, but please note the first exam will be English on Friday 18th September (final day of school). As it is a 3 hour &15 minute exam, there will be no other scheduled Yr 12 VCE classes on this day and students may leave following the completion of this exam.
End of Year 12 activities - Save the Dates!
As we draw closer to the end of the year with Year 12’s, please note some of the following dates for your family calendar. More information about all of these events will be sent to families in the coming months:
Monday 19th October – Final official day of classes. Year 12 Family - Mass and Graduation Presentation evening followed by light supper.
Tuesday 20th October – Final morning with Year 12 students. Breakfast as a cohort (parents welcome) Dress up and Parade, farewell.
Wednesday 21st October SWOTVAC – Week of study in preparation for the exams.
Exams begin: Tuesday 27th October to begin the exam period.
Final exam for our students will be Monday 17th November (Product Design and Technology students)
Thursday 19th November – Formal Graduation Dinner at Flowerdale Estate. Ticket sales will commence in Term Three via Try Booking. Parents and students only as tickets are limited.
Parents - Just a reminder that Yr 11 or 12 students who miss any assessments (OATs or SACs) due to illness must provide a Medical Certificate or Statutory Declaration to ensure they are able to complete this at a later date.
Also, any student who is currently driving themselves to and from school is expected to please complete and return a Driving Contract. There are currently a few of these that need to be returned to the office. Contracts can be collected from the VCE Coordinator’s office.
Ms. Simone McLaughlin
VCE Coordinator