Learning and Teaching at MFGSC

LEARNING & TEACHING @ MFGSC: NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2022

SCHOOL REVIEW 2023

We will be participating in a formal School Review over 4 days in Term 2 of 2023.

All schools must participate in a school review every 4 years
Currently, the school review:
- provides assurance of ongoing compliance with the minimum requirements for school registration
- informs the development of the school's 4 year School Strategic Plan (SSP)

At the time of review, the Department also undertakes a review of school performance to inform the directions of the school’s 4 year SSP (a legislative requirement for all schools). The aim is to create a self-sustaining cycle of continuous improvement, where schools are supported to improve student outcomes.

The Department’s review model is currently aligned with the Framework for Improving Student Outcomes (FISO).

CURRICULUM REVIEW 2023

In preparation for the School Review we are currently undertaking a Curriculum Review with a group of staff who include school leaders, Learning Area Leaders, the Principals and some teaching staff who have volunteered to participate.

The Curriculum Review Team is composed of the Principal, Assistant Principals, Leader of Curriculum, Learning Area Leaders, Time-tabler and staff volunteers. This team will take findings to School Council for feedback.

The role of the members of the Curriculum Review Team is to:

Objectively examine our current curriculum
LA Leaders to be looking with their LA in mind
All members of the team need to keep the best interests of our students at heart
Examine the current curriculum in light of past curriculum decisions and the implications of the new EBA

The purpose of the review is to:

Objectively examine at our current curriculum and where we’ve come from
Identify future challenges and opportunities  
Review our learning programs and the time allocation given to each subject/learning area in line with DET and VRQA requirements
To ensure our structure will support the 3 year roll out of new VGSA 2022 and the implications associated with this
To ensure our structure will support introduction of the Victorian Pathway Certificate (VPC) and the VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM – previously called VCAL)
Think creatively and innovatively about the direction of the College’s curriculum
Develop a 5-10 year Curriculum Strategy and make recommendations to School Council and finally to the Executive Team.

EARLY COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM (ECP)

On Thursday 24th November we have our Early Commencement Program Changeover Day. There will be no formal classes and no students will be required at school on this day. On this day we move from the 2022 timetable to the 2023 timetable and our teachers plan for the start of our Early Commencement Program (ECP).

On Monday 28th November we start the Early Commencement Program. All students in Years 7-11 will commence their 2023 learning program and timetable.

The students will be in their 2023 classes with their 2023 teachers (as best as we can ensure, except for newly appointed teachers or returning staff who don’t start until January 2023). For the students moving into Years 11 and 12, their ECP ends on Friday 2nd December. The ECP ends for the students moving into Years 8, 9 and 10 on Friday 9th December. This is followed by one of the Activities Days for all students currently in Years 7, 8 and 9 on Monday 12th December.

The reasons for having an ECP include:

to improve learning outcomes for VCE students and go beyond an ‘introduction’ to VCE
provide engaging, purposeful and meaningful learning programs and transition for Middle Years students until the end of the school year
to provide a learning program that addresses the ‘wind-down’ usually associated with the end of the school year
to help our students adjust to changes to their programs and classes and Summer holidays with a positive mindset about the 2023 school year.

The ECP gives every student an opportunity to make a smooth transition into the next level of learning and helps our students adjust to any changes for 2023 including new classes and new subjects. Our ECP includes the completion of at least one main assessment task which gives each student an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding, knowledge and skills developed during the ECP – the focus for each class is below. The feedback we collected from the students in 2015 to 2021 about their ECP experiences has been very positive and students generally feel it was a worthwhile and beneficial program.

CURRICULUM & SUBJECT UPDATES FOR 2023

Year 9 Languages (must do one of the following, Indonesian, French Language or French Culture)
Year 10 addition of a new ‘Permaculture’ elective
the introduction of a new VCE Unit 1 English study – English Language
the reintroduction of VCE Units 3 & 4 Revolutions which will replace VCE Units 3-4 Australian History
VCAL is replaced at Year 11 with a new VCE pathway called VCE Vocational Major (VCE VM)
Senior VCAL (Year 12) to stay the same for 2023.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC – END OF YEAR CONCERTS

Our instrumental students and staff showcased a wonderful array of talent at our end of year concerts at Platform Arts in November. Many thanks to our talented vocalists and musicians who performed bravely on the night and showcased their talents and growth during the year.

A big thanks to Mr John Kingma – Leader of Instrumental Music – for his energy and support of our students and also to his talented Music team:

Mr Ted O’Neil – classroom music and guitar teacher; Young Hearts Director
Ms Matilda Hassall – Vocal teacher / choir leader
Mr Eamon McNelis – Brass teacher
Mr Greg Rowan – Drums/percussion teacher
Mr Steve Hobbs – Guitar teacher
Ms Harper Dawson – Woodwind teacher

Damien Toussaint

Assistant Principal, Learning and Teaching