VCE Term 3 Seminar Days
Specialist Mathematics Units 1 & 2
Specialist Mathematics Units 1 & 2 students experienced a varied day of collaborative problem-solving and mathematical reasoning. After arriving and mingling with their peers, students worked through mixed mathematical questions in groups, followed by a dedicated session focused on reasoning. The day also included using technology to explore parametric equations and a session focused on the general use of CAS technology. The activities were concluded with short student led trivia challenge, which tested how much everyone really knew about their teachers!
Specialist Mathematics Units 3 & 4
Specialist Mathematics Units 3 & 4 students began their seminar day with collaborative vectors group work and peer review. This provided an opportunity for students to compare approaches, discuss mathematical reasoning and receive feedback from their teachers. During the midday session, students participated in “Meet the Assessor, Be the Assessor”, an activity centered on examining work through an assessor’s perspective as well as sharing CAS tips and tricks. In the afternoon, students classified a collection of mathematical statements as “always true, sometimes true, never true” to engage in deeper reasoning across the vectors topic before turning their attention to pseudocode. Together, these sessions encouraged students to justify conclusions, examine the validity of mathematical statements and engage with important areas of the Specialist Mathematics course.
Algorithmics Units 3 & 4
VCE Algorithmics students reviewed advanced algorithm paradigms such as Dynamic Programming, Backtracking and Divide and Conquer as a means of improving algorithmic efficiency. They collaborated to solve real-life problems using these techniques and gained a better understanding of them in the process. Students also undertook an assessment which asked them to determine the time complexity of various algorithms and make recommendations therein. The day was wrapped up with a guest speaker, Caelan Anderson, Chief Technical Officer at Tolemy.bio who joined us from Barcelona. Caelan talked to students about his journey through school to launching a successful start-up and how what he is currently working with in a practical sense relates to what they are learning in the subject. Students appreciated being able to see how the skills and content they are learning are applicable in the real world.
English Language Units 1 & 2
English Language Units 1 & 2 students began their seminar day by exploring the development of the English language through a History of English timeline activity. This gave students an opportunity to review how English has evolved and changed over time as a result of inventions and incursions. The middle session focused on essay planning, allowing students to develop strategies for organising ideas and constructing effective written responses. Both Sessions 1 and 2 were designed to support students to prepare for their upcoming SAC.
In the afternoon, students took part in an enrichment masterclass with Dr Madeleine Clews from the University of Western Australia. This focused on 'Historical Sociolinguistics in Australian English', providing students with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of English Language.
English Language Units 3 & 4
For English Language Units 3 & 4 students, the seminar day provided valuable support for both assessment preparation and the application of linguistic evidence. Students began by reviewing feedback from their Unit 4 Outcome 1 SAC, helping them reflect on their work and identify areas for further development.
Students then attended the Englishes in Australia Forum in the auditorium. Following the forum, they worked on using linguistic evidence from the session, giving them an immediate opportunity to apply ideas from the discussion to their VCE English Language studies.
Extended Investigations Units 3 & 4
Extended Investigation students came together to begin the process of preparing their final Written Report - the culmination of the 8 months of research that is worth 35% of their study score. The day began with an inspirational lecture from our special guest and occasional Mentor, Dr Jaai Parasnis, from Monash University's Department of Economics, who spoke on how to maintain an individual voice within the formalities of academic writing. After that, all students worked on their own academic papers receiving immediate feedback and refining their skills by the hour. As the day concluded, it was apparent that each and everyone had some tangible evidence that their reports had sprung into life. With three weeks of the course remaining after this day, the time spent laying the foundations for future success would have been invaluable.
