Wantirna College Newsletter

Senior School

Year 11 & 12

Key Dates:

Term 3

Fri 20 Sep: Last Day Yr 12 VM classes

Fri 20 Sep: VTAC SEASS/Scholarship guaranteed review apps due

Mon 30 Sep: VTAC Timely apps due

 

Term 4

Note: Applications for CHES Year 10 electives will be open for high-achieving Year 9 students through the CHES website early in Term 4. 

 

Mon 7 & Tue 8 Oct: Yr 12 VM Presentations

Tue 8 Oct: Primary School Day (Yr 12)

Wed 9 Oct: Yr 12 Study Day

Fri 11 Oct: VTAC SEAS/Scholarship apps due

Thu 24 Oct: Last Day VCE Classes

Fri 25 Oct: Year 12 Celebration Day

Tue 29 Oct: VCAA Written Exams begin

Wed 13 - 20 Nov: Year 11 Exams 

Thu 21 - 28 Nov: Year 11-12 Step Up

Wed 27 Nov: Year 12 Valedictory

Fri 29 Nov: Year 11 into 12 A. Review Conf.

Fri 29 Nov: Last Day for Year 11 students

Thu 12 Dec: VCE/ATAR Results released

Sat 14 Dec: VTAC change of pref close

 

Early Release Requests for Unscored VCE Students

Approved unscored students who are not sitting end of year examinations may request to finish the academic school year earlier than Thu 24 October (which is the last day of Year 12 for VCE timetabled classes) if it is deemed, they have:

· Demonstrated all learning outcomes and achieved a satisfactory result for Unit 4 across all enrolled subjects, and

· Met attendance requirements (90%) for all enrolled subjects as per VCE policy.

 

The earliest date that students will be approved to be released/exempted from classes is Thu 10 October. Therefore, unscored VCE students are expected to attend classes for the remainder of Term 3, as well as the first two days of Term 4. Unscored students requesting to be exempt will need to collect and complete an ‘Early Release Form’ which will be ready for collection at the end of Term 3, Week 10. Further details regarding the conditions of early release will be specified on the form.

 

Year 12 VCE Prep for Exams: Term 3 School Holidays  

Week 1 Holidays: 

Knox Schools Exam Preparation Sessions  Year 12 scored VCE English students will have the opportunity to hear from the 'English Lab' to help prepare them for their end of year English examination. This will take place from 11am-12.30am. The presenter is a former English teacher and English VCAA examiner who will give students insightful advice on how to approach and succeed when completing the English Exam. Students are strongly encouraged to attend this session. 

This year, Government Secondary Schools within the Knox region are once again proudly offering an extensive VCE Exam Preparation Program for students, at no cost. This program will be conducted during the upcoming September holiday break from Tue 24 Sep to Thu 26 Sep.

 

The venue for these sessions will be the Knox Community Arts Centre, 790 Mountain Hwy, Bayswater. Full details of the program dates and session times can be found on Compass and Teams.

 

This is a fantastic opportunity for students from across the Knox Government Secondary Schools to hear from experienced subject exam assessors in many of the more popular VCE studies from across the network of Knox Secondary Schools. Students attending sessions will receive excellent advice and guidance as well as resources in the form of notes, revision materials and practice exam questions provided by the presenters. 

 

Students who wish to attend the subject sessions catered for in the program will need to access TryBooking to book a place in each of the subject sessions that they are planning to attend. They will need to click on each day of the program and then select the relevant subject sessions. 

 

A link to TryBooking has been provided to students on Compass and Teams.

 

Week 2 Holidays: Formal Practice Exams 

When: Week 2 of the holidays 30/9 - 2/10

Where: Senior Centre inc F1, F2, F3, F4

What: All Unit 3 and 4 scored VCE students are expected to formally sit and attend a practice exam for each of their Unit 3 and 4 subjects.  Please note: 

  • Mainstream English & EAL Practice Exam will be on Wednesday 18th September from 12-3.15PM (Week 10). Information will be posted to students given in the MS Teams English Channel. 
  • General Maths, Specialist Maths and Methods will aim to run Part A in class time. 
  • Foundation Maths will be held in class time. 
  • Music will be held in class time. 

Why? 

  • To provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate knowledge and skills through retrieval practice to determine what they know and don’t know. This specific feedback will help guide revision and study in the lead up to exams. It will reinforce learning and fill knowledge gaps. 
  • To replicate the format and experience for sitting exams in a timed and formal setting. 
  • To provide more time for teachers to spend on quality instruction and feedback, rather than sitting exams during class time. 
  • Knowing what to expect on an exam, and being well prepared, will boost confidence and help alleviate negative thoughts and feelings. 
  • Retrieval practice (completing practice exams) is one of the most effective study techniques based on educational research. 

Expectations: 

Unit 3 and 4 scored VCE students, including Early Start VCE students, will sit practice exams in a formal and timed setting over two sessions on Monday 30th September – Wednesday 2nd October. 

 

Scored VCE students are expected sit and attend a practice exam for each of their subjects over the three days. 

 

Students must obtain consent on Compass and complete the sign-up form to indicate their registration for each practice exam. The sign-up form can be found here (must sign in with Wantirna email): 

https://forms.office.com/r/xCMugVxkSL  

 

•Students have the option to complete exams in other sessions outside what is outlined on the practice exam timetable. For example, if students know Physics and Chemistry are scheduled on at the same time in session 1, students are welcome to do one of these exams in another session on the same or different day. 

 

This must be arranged with Senior School prior to the holidays by indicating this on the sign-up form by writing the subject name in 'other' on the day / session they want to sit the exam. 

  • All practice exams will be timed in the same timeframe as external examinations. 
  • Students must arrive 20mins before each exam session time in neat casual attire. 
  • Students required to bring photo ID 
  • Students are required to bring all appropriate materials e.g., writing implements, calculator etc to each exam, as specified by VCAA: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/vce-assessment/past-examinations/Pages/ExaminationMaterialsIndex.aspx  
  • All students are required to follow exam rules, protocols and processes, as per the VCAA requirements. 
  • Teachers will provide feedback to each completed exam and/or unpack this exam with students in class during Term 4 scheduled classes. This will be the focus of term 4 classes and therefore it is crucial that students attend practice exams in week 2 of the holidays. 

 

Important Examination Information: 

1. VCAA examination rules can be accessed here: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/vce-assessment/Pages/ExaminationRules.aspx  

2. Further information for each subject, including exam specifications, past exams and external assessment reports can be accessed here: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/vce-assessment/past-examinations/Pages/Index.aspx  

 

3. VCE Examination Materials Index: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/vce-assessment/past-examinations/Pages/ExaminationMaterialsIndex.aspx  

 

Timetable

 

Year 12 Study Day

Wednesday 9 October (Term 4, Week 1) is a Curriculum Day for studnets. However, this day will also be dedicated to Year 12 study. 

 

Scored Year 12 VCE students are welcome to attend this Year 12 study day, in preparation for VCAA exams. Attending school on this day is not compulsory, but is strongly encouraged, particularly to attend the English Lab presentation. 

 

Students will have allocated time to study in the Pathway Hub from 8.45-10.30am. Students may use this time to work in study groups. Morning tea will be provided for students from 10.30am-11am.  Students are also welcome to continue studying independently or in groups in the Pathway Hub after the English presentation. 

English Lab Presentation

Year 12 scored VCE English students will have the opportunity to hear from the 'English Lab' to help prepare them for their end of year English examination. This will take place from 11AM-12.30PM. The presenter is a former English teacher and English VCAA examiner who will give students insightful advice on how to approach and succeed when completing the English Exam. Students are strongly encouraged to attend this session. 

 

 

David Black

Assistant Principal