St Peter's News

Learning & Teaching News

             

Excursions and Incursions

Teachers are always keen to engage our students in some active ways of learning and excursion or incursions frequently meet that need.  In the past two and a half weeks here is a snapshot of what our students have been experiencing:

  • VCE Unit 3 Business Management excursion to the Yakult factory in Dandenong.
  • VCE Unit 1 English Language excursion to the Learning Ladder Early Learning Centre in Cranbourne.
  • VCE Unit 3 Geography excursion around the local area and to Koo Wee Rup.
  • Years 10-12 Drama incursion.
  • Year 12 VCE (Vocational Major) incursion preparing for the $20 boss project.
  • Australian Science Competition incursion.
  • VCE Units 1 & 3 Dance incursion.
  • VET Sport & Recreation Years 1 & 2 excursion to do indoor rock climbing. 
  • Year 12 Edrolo training incursion to assist students in the use of this learning platform to improve their study skills, classroom practice and revision techniques.
  • Year 7 & 8 Gymnastics excursion to the Melbourne Acrobatic Gymnastics Academy in Cranbourne.
  • Year 7 & 8 Volleyball incursion.
  • VET Music Years 1 & 2 incursion.
  • Year 9 & 10 Basketball Tournament excursion to Nunawading Basketball Centre.
  • Year 10 Youth Ministry incursion to undertake a cooking project.
  • Year 10 Applied Learning excursion to the Old Melbourne Gaol.
  • Year 7 Library incursion for an author visit.
  • Year 11 VCE (Vocational Major) to the Media Collective at RMIT in the city.
  • Year 9 Music excursion to record their compositions.
  • Year 9 Thriving Minds excursion to Scotch College, Hawthorn.
  • Year 10 SIS Theatre sports excursion to St Francis Xavier College in Officer.
  • Year 11 Casey Mentor Breakfast for young women leaders at Bunjil Place, Narre Warren.

 

It makes for a seriously busy schedule but an enormously exciting one at that. I want to thank parents and guardians for being so prompt and efficient in responding to the Operoo requests.  The excursions and incursions are valuable learning experiences that often bring a subject alive and emphasise its relevance to the students.  It also gives our students an opportunity to experience something that they may not otherwise try.

 

Tutoring Program

A reminder that in addition to Study Smart that operates at both campuses after school from Monday to Thursday where students can receive assistance in completing homework, there are tutors specialising in VCE maths and science subjects on a Monday and Wednesday. These tutors are also available during periods 4 & 5 on Wednesday afternoons.  Please encourage your child to attend for some one-on-one assistance. They can book a place through their teacher or just turn up for the help required.

 

The General Achievement Test (GAT)

A reminder that the General Achievement Test is occurring on Thursday 15 June.  Students have been told that it is important for them to approach this test very seriously. The GAT is important because:

  1. The GAT allows a Derived Examination Score to be calculated for a student who misses an exam because of sickness for example.
  2. The GAT ensures that VCE Unit 3/4 end of year exams and school-based assessment (SACs) have been accurately and fairly assessed. Raw SAC scores and lower than expected examination scores can be adjusted based on a higher performance in the GAT.
  3. Some universities are using the GAT to help determine if they offer students a place if their ATAR is too low for normal entry.
  4. Student literacy and numeracy skills are assessed against new standards in reading, writing and numeracy introduced into Part A of the GAT. The GAT Statement of Results mailed to students indicates if the student has met the standard, not met the standard, or met the standard and demonstrated a level of excellence. Employers may seek evidence of students being at standard in literacy and numeracy.

Mid-Year Exams 

Years 10 and 11 mid-year exams began this week and Year 12 exams next week. Students have been sent their timetables. They are reminded that VET courses take priority over the mid-year exams and it is their obligation to organise an exam resit and ensure they attend the VET class.

                Year 10 Exams: Tuesday 30 May – Friday 2 June

                Year 11 Exams: Friday 2 June – Wednesday 7 June

                Year 12 Practice Exams: Monday 5 June - Thursday 8 June               

Study Tips:

  1. Create a Study timetable: plan your revision by creating a study timetable. Break down your subjects into topics and manageable chunks. Allocate time slots for each.
  2. Practice Active Learning: Summarise information in your own words, teach concepts to someone else, create flashcards and handwrite answers to practice questions.
  3. Use Visual Aids: Create diagrams, mind maps, flowcharts and tables to help learn complex concepts.
  4. Breaks and rewards: Take regular breaks – 45 minutes on, 15 minutes off. Reward yourself after completing a specific study goal.
  5. Practice Past Papers and correct them: this can give you an idea of the format and types of questions. Use the solutions to add to your existing knowledge and to help guide you to formulate correct responses. 

Mr David Hansen  Deputy Principal – Learning & Teaching