ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL'S 

PATHWAYS

Hi Everyone, 

As we head into Term 3, we approach an important time in the school year where students begin to explore their subject selection options for 2023 and make their subject choices. The school offers the following important opportunities:

2023 Years 10-12 Pathways Evening: 21st July 6:30-8pm Performing Arts Building and Red Building

6:30pm – 6:50pm: Year 10 Information Session: Performing Arts Building

7:00pm- 7:30pm: VCE/VCE Vocational Major Information Session: Performing Arts Building 

6:30pm-8pm: Subject Expo: Red Building featuring all subject areas and programs, the Academy, Geelong Industry Trade Training Centre, Head Start Initiative, Victoria Group Training, Multi Skills Training, Basketball College Pathways, Deakin University, Deakin College, Federation University and G-Force

• Students and families will have the opportunity to see presentations about the course content of Year 10 as well as VCE, including the new VCE Vocational Major (Replacing VCAL)
• Subject areas will be available to discuss subjects and choices
• We encourage all families to attend 
• Every student will receive a copy of our 2023 Curriculum Handbook in Term 3 during classtime
• In the meantime, the 2023 Curriculum Handbook is available on our website

Whilst the focus during this night is on Years 10-12, all interested parent/carers and students are welcome to attend

Other important Pathways dates: 

Year 12 2023 Course Counselling: Tuesday 26th July  9am – 4:30pm

On this day we encourage all students and parents/carers to make an appointment with our specialised career and subject counsellors, to assist in planning their educational program for 2023. 

• Appointments are made via compass through the ‘book student teacher conferences’ link. These appointments are open and can now be booked
• Regular classes for Year 11 will not occur during this day and students will only be required for their appointment

Year 11 2023 Course Counselling: Thursday 28th July  9am – 4:30pm

On this day we encourage all students and parents/carers to make an appointment with our specialised career and subject counsellors, to assist in planning their educational program for 2023. 

• Appointments are made via compass through the ‘book student teacher conferences’ link. These appointments are open and can now be booked
• Regular classes for Year 10  will not occur during this day and students will only be required for their appointment

Year 10 2023 Course Counselling: Tuesday 2nd August  9am – 4:30pm

On this day we encourage all students and parents/carers to make an appointment with our specialised career and subject counsellors, to assist in planning their educational program for 2023. 

• Appointments are made via compass through the ‘book student teacher conferences’ link. These appointments are open and can now be booked
• Regular classes for Year 9 will not occur during this day and students will only be required for their appointment

Finalised subject selections will be due August 12 

We look forward to helping to guide you with these important choices for 2023

Regards,

Warwick Lamb 

Assistant Principal 

SCHOOL WIDE POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR SUPPORT

Welcome back to Semester 2!

Our work during semester 1 in School Wide Positive Behaviour is to continue with a weekly focus. Each week staff will revise and target and specific behaviour across the college through mentor meetings, classes and in the yard. We invite you to check Compass regularly for ‘green’ chronicle entries which will recognise students for their work in the focus area.

Following is the weekly focus for the coming weeks so that you are also able to work on this focus at home and in the community.

GAT TEST 2022

From 2023 we will be transitioning the VCE and VCAL to a new integrated senior secondary certificate. As part of the reform of the VCE and VCAL system, Victorian senior secondary students will this year have their literacy and numeracy skills measured against new standards in a reformed GAT.

The new standards will indicate whether students have demonstrated the literacy and numeracy skills typically expected of someone completing their secondary schooling – giving another indication of their readiness to move onto further education, training or employment

The 2022 GAT will be held on Wednesday 7 September. The slightly later test date provides the time required to ensure the revised GAT is valid and reliable, and for teachers and students to understand the changes – with the test expected to return to its traditional June date from 2023.

The reformed GAT follows a comprehensive review conducted by the VCAA. It will see Victoria join other jurisdictions who already incorporate literacy and numeracy standards as part of their senior secondary reporting. The GAT will provide specific information on each student's key skills for life beyond school.

The GAT will be split into two sections

• Section A will assess literacy and numeracy skills
• Section B will assess skills in mathematics, science, technology, the arts and humanities, with an increased focus on critical and creative thinking skills

All student enrolled in one or more VCE or scored VCE VET Unit 3-4 sequence will be required to sit Sections A and B. Senior VCAL students will be required to sit only section A.

GAT results will continue to be used to check that VCE external assessments and school based assessment have been accurately and fairly assessed. If a student does well in the GAT, they are likely to do well in other assessments. 

No special study will be required. Past study of subjects like English, Mathematics, Science and History prepares students for the GAT by building their general knowledge and skills in writing, numeracy and reasoning.

Students will be able to show their GAT statement of results to employers, which will indicate whether they have met the literacy and numeracy standards.