Dean of Senior Years

Term 3 is a very busy term for our Senior students as they review and reflect on their first Semester results to make informed decisions about their next steps in their Senior school journey.

Year 10 students have met with their SET plan mentors to discuss future pathway aspirations and preferences for Year 11. Thank you to all parents and students for your involvement in this important process. Students are now working to grow their exposure and understanding of their preparatory subjects in Year 10 to allow them to build a foundation of success in the Senior phase in Years 11 and 12. 

Students in Year 11 have now completed Unit 1 for all subjects and are working to achieve their best in Unit 2, to secure their QCE point for each subject studied. All Year 11 Unit 1 results have been reviewed and meetings conducted with students and their parents, as needed, to complete a progress review and discuss any concerns. We will continue to monitor the progress of each student closely as we move through Units 2, 3 and 4. 

Term 4 will see Year 11 students start Unit 3 work in General subjects completing summative Internal Assessments. A reminder that Units 3 and 4 are paired. This means that once students complete three internal items (school-based tasks) and one External exam, they will have secured a mark out of 100. Where students meet the boundary for a pass (this is determined by the QCAA), they bank two QCE points. Of great importance at this stage in the Senior phase, is for students to reflect on feedback offered for Formative Assessment tasks in Year 11 and put into action recommendations for next steps with the strategies provided. Students enrolled in Certificate III, IV or Diploma courses on RANK pathways continue to work at meeting competencies. 

Students in Year 12 have completed Unit 4 internal assessments in all General subjects and have finalised certificate courses. There are some assessments remaining in Applied subjects. On the 15th of August, Year 12 students will receive their Senior School Report for internal assessment results across Units 3 and 4. 

Year 12 students are busily preparing for their External Assessments. To support students with their External Assessments, the College simulates Mock Examinations so that students have an experience of producing responses in the mode and timeframe of the EA. Student grades in the Mock Examinations will count in the determination of College Subject awards at the end of the year, but otherwise they are formative. Students should prioritise ongoing revision, making sure they are familiar with the mode and conditions of each of their EAs.

Students have received information relating to their Mock Block exams and External Examinations. Parents and students should note that the Mock Block runs from Thursday 28 August until Wednesday 10 September. During this time, students in Year 12 are asked to attend for their examinations, and for scheduled Master Classes or tutorials timetabled during the block period. The Master Classes are intended to provide opportunities for learning for students without a heavy assessment load, at more convenient times and to support students whose external assessments are weighted more heavily. Students may work from home outside of their scheduled examinations, master classes, or tutorials.

Year 12 students are currently meeting with Ms Cowburn for their QTAC meetings in the Futures Hub. Students will receive their updated ATAR indication at this time. Parents and students are advised that this is an indication only. The indication is likely to fluctuate if assumptions about scaling are inaccurate. Fluctuation is also likely if EA results do not match IA results. Beyond this, students in applied subjects and some Certificate courses are finalising assessment. As this term comes to a close, Year 12 students will receive their Mock exam results and feedback which can be used to inform their areas for focus in the lead up to external exams. 

Academic Mentoring and Support Schedule

As many students are working towards completing assessment, it is timely to reinforce the amazing supports on offer here at the College via our Academic Mentors at Senior Study from Monday to Thursday.  It has been wonderful to see students requesting feedback on the work they have been doing at home and in classes at Senior Study. When students understand the importance of seeking and responding to feedback, they learn that growth is possible.

As we move into the peak of the assessment cycle, an important reminder of the Academic Policies and Procedures should students require an extension or miss a scheduled exam. This information is located in the Policies and Procedures tile on MyMtA along with the ‘Extension Application Form’. Please note that in the senior phase (Years 10-12) students are required to provide medical documentation to support applications for extensions and absence from exams due to illness. 

With less than 100 school days left for our Year 12 students, I would like to take the opportunity to wish them well as they prepare for their final assessments and external exams. I look forward to seeing all students working to improve their results to meet their goals this term.