Actual GAT Date: Wednesday 14 June 2017

On Wednesday 14 June, all students of VCE Unit 3 and 4 subjects at the College will complete a compulsory General Achievement Test (GAT). The GAT is a 3-hour exam and will occur on June14 between 10.00 am – 1.15 pm. Students who achieve high results on the GAT tend to achieve higher ATAR scores.

External invigilators in the College Hall and Runnals House will run the examination.

The exam will run for 3 hours after which students will be free to leave the College.

9.30 am Students required to attend the GAT Examination arrive at College Hall to check their seat number.

9:45 am Students commence entering the Hall / Crate

10.00 am Reading Time Commences

10:15am Writing Time Commences

1:15 pm Writing time concludes

Purpose of the GAT

The GAT is a test of general knowledge and skills in written communication, mathematics, science and technology, humanities, the arts and social sciences taken by all Victorian students prior to completing their VCE. It consists of two writing tests and 70 multiple choice questions on science, technology, mathematics and humanities. The first writing test is usually an informative piece based on information given, while the second is an opinionative piece to be based on statements provided. At the end of the year students receive a statement of marks showing their numerical score for each section of the GAT (Writing, Arts/Humanities and Science/Maths).

The GAT is an essential part of the VCE assessment procedure. It plays an important role in checking that a school's assessments and examinations have been accurately assessed.

The VCAA will use GAT results to:

review school assessments of School-assessed Tasks
perform the process of statistical moderation of School-assessed Coursework
check the accuracy of student scores in examinations
calculate a Derived Exam Score if it is required.

During the lead up to the GAT students will be undertaking a practice written task (as outlined above) as well as additional practice in multiple choice questions during home group. The College has instituted this program to support students in achieving the highest possible ATAR result. I am sure that all parents will support the College to ensure that all students are in attendance on this day so that we can work with each and every Year 12 student to provide them with greater opportunities for their future.

Jamie Mason

Director of Pathways Engagement

2017 Year - Mid - Year Exams

18 May 2017

INFORMATION TO PARENTS, TEACHERS AND STUDENTS

The 2017 Year 11 mid-year examinations will be held from Thursday 8 through to Friday 16 June.

Final lessons for Semester 1 for Year 11 students will conclude on Wednesday 7 June.

Please find enclosed a copy of the Year 11 June Examination Timetable. Students are encouraged to highlight their examination sessions and place this timetable in a prominent place at home.

Exams will be conducted in three time slots each day: Please check the exam timetable to ensure you know when your exams are to be held.

NOTE that the GAT examination is on Wednesday 14 June (10:00am – 1:15pm). All students undertaking a Unit 3-4 subject must do the GAT examination. Year 11 students will do the GAT in Runnalls House and Year 12 students will do the GAT in the College Hall.

Students and parents need to review the attached copy of the exam timetable to work out the days and times that they are required for attendance. Please observe the following expectations for exam conduct and procedure.

Examination Procedures & Rules

Year 11 Examination period: THURSDAY 8 JUNE– FRIDAY 16 JUNE 2017,
Examination Venues: College Hall & Runnalls House.
All Examinations are compulsory.
If you are sick on the day of an examination your Cluster Coordinator must be called.

(Medical Certificate must be supplied). Examination will be rescheduled by College Organiser (Sabrina Giannetti). Please speak to someone …DO NOT LEAVE A MESSAGE.

Check windows of the College Hall or Runnalls House for class examination location and seat number for each examination.

This will be different for each examination. All students should know their examination location and seat number before they enter the examination room.

Full College Uniform must be worn.
Students must have their Student Identification card with them for entry to each examination. This is to be placed face up on the table.
Students should arrive at the College at least 1/ 2 an hour before the examination scheduled start time.
Students should be ready to enter the examination room at least 15 minutes before the examination start time.

Year 12 Exams

Note that students undertaking ACU Health and ACU Sports Science will have their exam on Friday 9 June. Students doing these exams are not expected to attend classes on the morning of 9 June.

All students doing 3-4 ENGLISH and 3-4 ENGLISH LANGUAGE will have a trial exam on Thursday 15 June. Students undertaking 3-4 Literature will have a trial exam on Friday 16 June.

Year 11 Students enrolled in a Unit 3-4 Subject

All students enrolled in a 3-4 unit must attend their classes during exam week (Thursday 8 June and Friday 9 June) unless the scheduled class clashes with a Year 11 exam.

VET CLASSES – note that VET classes will run as normal during exam week.

What can I bring into the Examination room?

Pens, pencils, erasers, rulers in a plastic pocket.
Bottled water – clear unlabelled bottle.
Material as instructed by your class teacher.
(Any additional material, will be a breach of examination rules)

What I cannot bring into the Examination room!

Mobile phones.
Ipods or any other electronic equipment.
Smart Watches (eg Apple Watch)
White-out.
Additional Material that could result in a breach of examination rules.

Once inside the Examination room.

There is to be absolutely NO talking once the examination room has been entered.
Students are not allowed to leave the room until the end of the examination.
NO toilet breaks during examinations.
Students must not talk at the end of the examination whilst papers are being collected.

Completing the Examination.

All papers must be completed to the best of your ability. Refer to Examination Policy.
All Examinations:
- 10 minutes reading time.
- 1 hour & 30 minutes writing time
-2 hours writing time (English)
- 3 hours writing time GAT
No writing during reading time.

What do I do if I have a clash of Examinations?

All exam clashes must be reported to the College Organiser.
An alternative examination time will then be arranged.

During the Examination Period

There will be normal buses in the morning and afternoon.
Students are only required at school for the scheduled examinations.
There will be a limited canteen in operation throughout the examination period.

Students may use the Learning Common or Study Hall for study between examinations.

What can parents do to support their child during examinations?

Ensure your child;

Has an exam timetable at home.
Arrives to school at least 20 mins before their exam.
Is in full school uniform.
Is rested and has eaten a healthy breakfast.
Has the correct equipment for each exam, calculator, pens etc

Semester 2 classes will commence on Monday 19 June. For the majority of students this will mean that exam feedback will be delivered on either the Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday of this week. Some students will not receive exam feedback due to the fact that they have ceased to study a particular subject. In this instance students are advised to meet with their Semester 1 teacher to be given feedback.

Yours sincerely,

Jamie Mason

Director of Learning

Course Change Procedure

Year 11 SEMESTER 1 TO SEMESTER 2

STEP 1: Week 6 Date: Monday 22 May – Friday 26 May

Student to collect Application form for Course Change from Home Group Teacher or Cluster Coordinators at recess and lunchtime only.

Consultation with student regarding completing the application form, the reasons for the change and the fact that change may not be possible due to timetable and class number constraints.

Also note that in order to accommodate subject change requests, it may be necessary to change other classes and teachers.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT STUDENTS UNDERSTAND THIS.

STEP 2: Cluster Coordinator discusses Course change with student and notes down the reason for the change. Cluster Coordinator and student complete grid for current Semester Two Course

Two new Unit preferences to be listed on form.

Recommendation (H/ M/L) given by Cluster Coordinator and comment stated on form.

STEP 3: Student completes the form and includes:

Subjects OUT

Subjects IN – Requires approval from LAC

Parents and Careers Counselor (where appropriate) to sign.

Note that parent needs to sign off on any levies that may result from a change in subject.

Parent / Guardian signature required to acknowledge new costs and approval of proposed Course change. Course levy to be paid together with the application form.

STEP 4: Week 7 Monday 29 May – Friday 2 June.

Student to submit completed form to Front Office with levy payment if required.

STEP 5: Week 8 & 9 Monday June 5 – Friday 16 June (exam week)

Director of Learning to make change on timetable if possible.

Email student via CRC email with confirmation of change or reason for non change.

STEP 6: Week 10 – Monday 18 June – Semester 2 commences. New timetable is posted on SIMON.

One on One Appointments

The careers team are continuing to work through one on one appointments with all Year 12 students. We are currently meeting with the Dunlop students with students in Truganini and Winton Clusters to follow. All Year 12 VCE students have been allocated an appointment time. If students are unable to make their appointments it is important that they email Josie on albj@crcsydenham to arrange an alternative meeting time.

Changes to entry requirements for Victorian undergraduate education degrees: For the 2018 intake, the following selection criteria may be required for undergraduate education courses:

Achieve a minimum ATAR of 65: Some universities will require a higher ATAR.
Complete the CASPer test: this is an online video-based situational judgment test. The test is designed to measure ethics, empathy and communication (selected universities will require this), https://takecasper.com
Achieve prerequisites: meet the requirements for prerequisite subjects.

Please speak to a member of the careers team or contact the universities you will be applying to for specific information.

Interested in studying business? Did you know that some universities offer a year of industry experience as part of their undergraduate business degrees? The following are three examples:

Victoria University – at least 40 weeks of paid industry experience through the Cooperative Education program (competitive entry), http://bit.ly/2oWTNp7
Swinburne University: a guaranteed year of paid industry experience through the Bachelor of Business (Professional) degree, http://bit.ly/2pwwEM0
RMIT: a guaranteed year of industry experience through the Applied program for Marketing, Economics and Finance, Information Systems, International Business, and Logistics and Supply Chain Management, http://bit.ly/2aHKMgR

Bachelor of Commerce at Victoria University: The course prepares graduates for work in a variety of finance-related areas. The curriculum has a ‘job-ready’ focus and is aligned with the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK). Students can undertake a professional major in either International Business or Applied Finance. There are 8 minors to choose from. The course gives students the opportunity to take part in:

A study tour that blends formal study with experiential learning through overseas travel in Asia or Europe
Industry placement
Workplace-based projects with authentic case-based scenarios
A mentoring program.
http://bit.ly/2quCiO2

Early Achievers Program at Australian Catholic University (ACU): This is an early entry program that takes into account factors other than just your ATAR for admission into courses. Factors include evidence of community service, leadership, and school participation etc. If you are accepted into the program, you will be guaranteed entry into the degree of your choice with a minimum ATAR, providing you meet prerequisites. The following are the minimum ATARs for the 2018 intake

70: Law and all dual Law degrees
70: Physiotherapy (subject to change)
65: Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, and Paramedicine.
58.5: all other degrees.

Applications are now open and close Monday 17 July, http://bit.ly/2kPLY2t

Applying for the Diploma of Nursing in 2018? Students may be required to register for and pass the VETASSESS aptitude test as part of the selection process when applying for the Diploma at several TAFE Institutes. For the 2018 intake, students will need to consult directly with the TAFE they would like to apply to, to find out how to complete the test. The paper-based test can no longer be booked via the VETESSESS Australia website.

June and July Career Events 2017

Arts Week