Senior School Update

by Mr Nic Barca, Head of Senior School

The Countdown is On!

In Week 8, we celebrated our countdown to the official start of the preparation period to the VCE exams. Just 60 days to go!

Now is the time to start revision, create mind maps, lock in, prioritise study, begin working through Unit 3 & 4 practice exams, and gather feedback from teachers.

To mark the occasion, we treated all of our Year 12 students to doughnuts. I figured the extra energy and motivation would be much needed as they continue their hard work. We also have another sweet treat pencilled in for Week 10, so stay tuned!

Our Year 12 Prefects and the Senior School team also wrote motivational messages for our Year 12s, posting them on lockers and throughout the Common Room.

It was a small gesture to remind everyone that we are in this together, and that it is a time to support one another as we make the final push towards the finish line.

Student reflections:

Leigh

Being surprised with donuts at the start of recess was a really nice way to lift students’ moods during the stressful final weeks of SACs. It gave us a chance to take a break, enjoy a sweet treat and feel supported.

The notes of encouragement placed on all the Year 12 lockers by the prefect team were also a great reminder to stay positive and keep working hard. It was a fun surprise that left students smiling and made us feel as though our hard work hadn’t gone unnoticed.

This showed us that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference during stressful times.

Oscar

As Year 12 is coming to an end, the Prefects thought it would be a good idea to come into school early to stick Post-It Notes on all of the Year 12 lockers to encourage them to try their best with the little time of school we have left. The idea was fun and decorated the common room with words of encouragement for every student. Every Post-It Note had unique messages on them for all students such as “you’ve made it so far, don’t give up now!”.

All extra Post-It Notes got put up in the study area and when students finally started arriving at school it created a positive environment and an enjoyable morning for everyone. It allowed the prefects to work on a project together for one of the last times and we all enjoyed the idea of supporting our year level.

Ms Thompson, our Year 12 Coordinator, and I have now marked the conclusion of our STRIVE (High Achievers) and Mentoring Programs. Throughout the year, we delivered masterclasses, study and revision support sessions, individual mentoring meetings, and helped students systematically prepare through study planners and targeted goal setting.

We hope these programs have made a difference for all our students and equipped them with the skills needed for success.

Some final dates to note:

Year 12 classes conclude on Friday 16 October
Year 12 Family Breakfast on Friday 16 October at 8:30am. Please see Compass to secure your spot.
VCAA exams commence on Tuesday 27 October
Year 12 Valedictory on Friday 20 November at Caulfield Racecourse.

We encourage all students to make the most of the remaining time, stay focused, and lean on the support available as they prepare for the final stage of their VCE journey.