Senior School

Senior Boost (optional)

When: 3:15pm-4:30pm, every Thursday afternoon 

Where: Senior Centre and Pathways Hub 

Who: For all Senior School students (non VCE students also welcome) 

A great opportunity for senior students to work in study groups and to complete additional work whilst getting valuable feedback from the many VCE teachers who are there weekly offering extra support. 

Learning Recovery (required)

The purpose of Learning Recovery is to provide VCE and VM students an opportunity to catch up on required work / learning and to get additional support from teachers and members of the sub school team regarding their learning. 

When: 3:10pm - 3:50pm, every Thursday afternoon  

Where: Senior Centre 

Who: Learning Recovery is for students who have not submitted ongoing and significant amounts of homework and/or classwork.  

Teachers in the first instance will implement strategies to support students in work completion and maintain high expectations around learning during and after classes. Teachers will provide appropriate interventions before any student is booked in for Learning Recovery. 

If students are still behind in classwork and/or homework after teacher interventions and is deemed significant and ongoing, then teachers will consider student for a Learning Recovery session. 

Explore (required)

We would like to express the importance of your child's attendance at the Explore program each Wednesday during period 3 or at an alternate time if a VET student. Explore is compulsory for all students across Years 9 – 12.  

Explore is designed to allow students to 'explore' who they are, who they can be, how to be their best and how to confidently navigate a lifetime of careers. Students engage in a combination of Study Skills, Career Education and Wellbeing and Respectful Relationship programs. 

In addition, we use this time to distribute important information regarding:

• Teacher and student conferencing
• Subject Selection
• VTAC
• VCE and exam information

Importance of Time Management

Research has confirmed that secondary school students who regularly complete their homework have higher achievement than those who do not. Parents/carers have a crucial role in helping their child manage homework. This does not necessarily mean helping their child do the homework. It is important for parents/carers to set routines and provide encouragement for homework completion. 

Senior School students are expected to complete home study to complete class tasks, revise work, prepare for assessments and exams, and extend their learning.  

Research findings indicate a significant relationship of time-management skills, reading, and note-taking skills with academic achievement. Students with higher academic achievement use a wide range of study skills (skills students will learn throughout Explore) as compared to students with lower academic achievement. These study skills form the foundation for students to self-regulate and manage their learning away from the classroom. The first step is for students to effectively find and use the time available at home to prepare, review and consolidate their learning. 

Why is time management so important? 

It increases productivity: if students can manage their time effectively, it adds to their productivity levels and helps avoid procrastination 

It keeps work and learning organised: the best way to manage time is to create and follow a flexible study planner for each day of the week (all students from years 9 – 12 have created a study planner in Explore). Students are encouraged to have copies up in their locker, at home and on their laptop. 

Positive impact on your health: good time management efforts reflect on your health. When students manage time effectively, they do not have to stay up late to finish tasks, as such they will get a longer and better night's sleep. Consequently, reducing stress and anxiety. Sleep is essential for the brain and the body to recharge itself for the day ahead. 

They can spend more time for the things they love! 

It helps in stress reduction: Not completing study and/or not consolidating your learning at home on a regular basis can cause you to become overwhelmed and stressed. Sticking to a study schedule and studying in small chunks more regularly will not only help deeper learning but help reduce the stress and anxiety of having to cram. 

Tips for Effective Time management: 

• Create a daily timetable or schedule with all the tasks to be done (make a priority list) 
• Start the day early 
• Divide tasks up if required 
• Take short breaks between study / doing task (25min blocks) 
• Do not procrastinate! Put the phone away. 
• Work on one task at a time instead of multitasking 
• Get enough sleep 
• Do tasks with full focus (find an effective study area) 
• Keep away all distractions (like TV and mobile phone) when studying. 

Creating an Effective Study Space

Is my study place available to me whenever I need it? 

A study place does one little good if one cannot use it when one need it. If your child is using a study place that must be shared with others for any reason, work out a schedule. 

Is my study place free from interruptions? 

It is important to have uninterrupted study time. Students should consider hanging a DO NOT DISTURB sign on the door or turn off your mobile phone. 

Is my study place free from distractions? 

Research shows that most students study best in a quiet environment. However, if a student finds that playing a stereo or TV improves your mood, they should keep the volume low. 

Does my study place contain all the study materials I need? 

Be sure a study place includes reference sources and supplies such as pens and pencils, paper, ruler, calculator, and whatever else one might need. If your child uses a computer for schoolwork, it should be in the study place. 

Does my study place contain a large enough desk or table? 

While working on an assignment or studying for a test, students should use a desk or table that is large enough to hold everything they need. Allow enough room for writing and try to avoid clutter. 

Does my study place have enough storage space? 

Students need enough room to store study materials. Be sure students have enough storage space to allow them to keep their desktop or other work surface clear of unnecessary materials that can get in the way. 

Does my study place have a comfortable chair? 

A chair that is not comfortable can cause discomfort or pain that will interfere with studying. A chair that is too comfortable might make someone sleepy. Select a chair in which one can sit for long periods while maintaining attention. 

Does my study place have enough light? 

The important thing is that one can clearly see what they need to see without any strain or discomfort. 

Does my study place have a comfortable temperature? 

If a study place is too warm, your child might become sleepy. If it is too cold, their thinking may slow down and become unclear. Select a temperature at which their mind and body function best. 

Tim Pearson, David Black 

& Darren Hoogkamer 

Senior School Leaders