Year 11: rising to the challenge

It has been a busy time for our Year 11 students with many of them supporting our wonderful House Performing Arts Captains Jazi H, Liv S, Meg M and Eliza H, in their preparations for this highly anticipated event. It has been a very challenging task for the girls to prepare for this event with ever-changing conditions. These students have demonstrated exceptional leadership and the support offered by the whole cohort is to be commended. We look forward to seeing the final product at some stage in the near future. 

Winter Appeal

The Year 11 students will be planning and carrying out a Winter Appeal with a focus on homelessness. Their aim is to educate and provide opportunities for action for the Shelford community and beyond. The students have been evenly split into seven working groups with a different focus. Their activities include a clothing drive, food drive, winter coat collection, sleeping bag fundraising drive and a raffle. The planning and preparation have included raising awareness of the issues facing the homeless and provides them with a wonderful opportunity for them to give back to their community. We encourage the Shelford community to support them in their efforts.

Pathway planning

At this stage in their schooling, Year 11 students do need to start thinking about their pathways post school. Most universities and colleges are currently running virtual Open Days and they provide a great opportunity for students to learn more about the institutions themselves but also different courses available for them to study. VTAC applications open in August for Year 12 students so it is important our Year 11 students take time to clarify their interests and then research course options available to them. Most of them have completed a Careers Interview where different options have been discussed. This provides a good first step in their planning. They are welcome to make further appointments when they feel they may need support.

The value of small study groups

Peer-engaged study is often an important component of tertiary study. At a time when social interaction is difficult, small study groups offer a great opportunity for students to interact socially and also learn skills in working in online study groups. It gives students the chance to approach study in a different way. I would encourage our Year 11 to consider this as an option. They can set up study groups on MS Teams or Zoom, perhaps have dinner and a laugh together and then get stuck into their study. It provides a social outlet but also wonderful rewards in terms of learning.

Cath Freney

Year 11 Coordinator