VCE News

Welcome to Term 3 – The Final Stretch!

We hope all of our VCE students have had the opportunity to recharge and are ready for what is an exciting and important stage of the year. With only one term of classes remaining, our Year 12 students are now entering the final phase of their VCE journey. It is remarkable to think that they are only a few months away from completing thirteen years of schooling.

As we move through this important term, consistent attendance and open communication will play a vital role in every student's success. Attending all classes ensures students do not miss valuable learning opportunities, assessment preparation and feedback from their teachers. If students are absent or experiencing challenges that may impact their learning, they are encouraged to communicate with their teachers as early as possible. Seeking support, asking questions and keeping teachers informed allows us to work together to ensure students remain on track and are well supported throughout the remainder of the year.

Over the term 2 break, a number of students were involved in extracurricular activities. Please read the article by Harry Forbes regarding his involvement in SpeedCubing. Australian National Championships. 

Term 3 is a crucial period for consolidating knowledge, refining exam techniques and building confidence. Students should continue to focus on maintaining consistent study habits, completing coursework to the best of their ability and seeking feedback from their teachers. Every lesson, SAC and revision session is an opportunity to strengthen understanding and prepare for the final examinations.

Students undertaking a Year 12 subject are strongly encouraged to attend the VCE Revision Lectures offered during the Term 3 holidays. These lectures provide valuable subject-specific revision, expert advice from experienced presenters and practical examination strategies that can make a significant difference to students' confidence and performance.

The first week of the Term 3 holidays will also see students sit their first set of practice examinations. These exams are an invaluable part of the preparation process, allowing students to experience authentic examination conditions, identify strengths and areas for improvement, and develop effective time management strategies well before the final VCAA examinations. Students are encouraged to approach these practise exams with a positive mindset, using the feedback they receive to guide their revision throughout the remainder of the year.

For our Year 11 students, Term 3 is also an important time to begin planning for next year. During their English classes, students will participate in the Year 12 course selection process, exploring subject pathways, prerequisite requirements and future study options. We encourage students to carefully consider their interests, strengths and post-school goals, and to seek advice from their teachers, careers staff and families before making their final subject selections.

As we begin this important term together, we encourage all students to maintain a healthy balance between study, extracurricular commitments and personal wellbeing. Looking after your physical and mental health, staying organised and asking for support when needed are just as important as your academic preparation.

We wish all of our VCE students every success throughout Term 3 and look forward to supporting them as they work towards achieving their personal best in the months ahead.

Product Design & Technology

Following on from our previous newsletter feature showcasing the Year 11 Product Design & Technologies Gadget Organiser Project, students have now successfully completed the manufacturing phase of their designs with WTA. After developing and refining their concepts using the Double Diamond Design Process and Autodesk Fusion, students produced functional prototypes that brought their ideas to life.

Throughout the manufacturing process, students applied practical workshop skills and problem-solving strategies to accurately produce their designs using a range of materials, tools and production techniques. Students continually reviewed and modified their work in response to challenges encountered during manufacture, demonstrating resilience and adaptability while working towards a quality outcome.

The completed Gadget Organisers showcase a diverse range of creative solutions tailored to users' needs, with students successfully integrating storage for mobile devices, charging accessories and everyday technology items. The final products reflect the significant growth students have made in design communication, manufacturing, project management and evaluation throughout the semester.

Meanwhile, our Year 12 Product Design & Technologies students have been working through the demanding requirements of Unit 3 and have produced an impressive array of design outcomes with BGA. Students investigated real-world opportunities and problems, conducted extensive research, analysed existing products and developed comprehensive design proposals to justify their chosen directions.

As part of their Unit 4 studies, students have now progressed into the development and testing stage of their Major Design Project. Using feedback from stakeholders and applying iterative design practices, students have manufactured and evaluated prototypes to test key aspects of functionality, aesthetics, ergonomics and sustainability. These prototypes provide valuable evidence to inform further refinement as students continue towards the production of their final products later this year.

The quality of work produced across both year levels highlights the creativity, technical skills and dedication of our students. We are proud of the commitment they have shown throughout the design process and look forward to sharing photographs of their finished Year 12 major projects in upcoming editions of the newsletter.

Using Study Hall

A reminder to all students that Study Hall is a valuable part of the school week and should be used purposefully. By this stage of the term, students should have developed a clear plan for how to make the most of this time, with a balanced approach to reviewing all of their subjects.

It can be tempting to prioritise content-heavy subjects; however, this often leads to other areas being overlooked. Consistent, smaller bursts of revision across all subjects are far more effective than focusing on just one or two.

We encourage students to plan their Study Hall time across the week, ensuring every subject is revisited regularly. Even dedicating 10–15 minutes to a specific skill, concept, or set of notes can make a significant difference, particularly when preparing for upcoming SACs.

Revision Lectures 

As the year progresses, a range of revision lectures will become available to support students in their VCE preparation. 

Looking ahead, additional free revision lectures will be offered at Federation University during the Term 3 holiday period. 

We strongly encourage students to take advantage of these opportunities to consolidate their understanding and build confidence ahead of exams.

Any students who are interested in the Revision Lectures, please speak to Lindy Gumpold.

After School Study

Beyond the ever-popular hot chips on Mondays and pizza on Thursdays, After School Study offers students valuable academic support in a relaxed and productive environment in the library.

• Tutors are available at all sessions to provide extra guidance.
• Teachers are particularly available during Thursday sessions for subject-specific assistance.

After School Study is an excellent opportunity for students to consolidate learning, seek clarification before SACs, and develop strong study habits — all within a supportive setting.

With only 30 teaching weeks available to our Year 12 students, time is precious. Strong attendance, effective use of Study Hall, and engagement in After School Study will make a significant difference as students move steadily toward their final VCE examinations. It has been a positive and focused start to 2026, and we look forward to seeing this momentum continue.

Lindy Gumpold

VCE Team Leader