Senior Years Update

We are entering the exciting yet busy end to many Unit 3 and 4 subjects in the coming weeks. This time of year, is always challenging for VCE students as they manage the competing demands of multiple assessment tasks, revising old content and preparing for their upcoming practice examinations. For the Year 12 students this time will include managing all their VCE subjects, for our Year 11 students it includes navigating their first Unit 4 subject and ensuring they balance the demands of this with their other Unit 2 subjects.

To support our students during this time we have implemented several strategies throughout wellbeing and in our daily activities.

With thanks to SPA, we will be providing extra study snacks and coffee in SILC during this time. This is to help students refuel and take a break when required.
With thanks to Ms. Park, we have provided students with the opportunity to engage in a Puppy Yoga session. Ms. Park is also providing the continued use of Lucy, our Wellbeing Dog and a valued member of our senior years program. Lucy will be joining us for more days and will have an extra presence in SILC during this period.
With thanks to Ms. Whelan, we are offering a lunchtime study skills session that outlines extra study support and planning tips for the final few weeks of term, and into the holidays.
Students are also encouraged to make a time with myself or their mentor to review their sleep and study schedules.
We have our tutor program operating in SILC 4-6pm Monday-Thursday. This is staffed with past students who can help students prepare for their final SAC tasks.
Students are encouraged to ensure they take time out during recess and lunchtimes to enjoy the sunshine outside of SILC. There are extra puzzles and games that have been placed in the common area that students can enjoy together.

What can parents and friends do to support?

Have a conversation with your daughter about how you can help to support them during this time. What might be helpful? What will help them feel supported?
Recognise and empathise with their position.
Highlight this is a temporary state and that this current moment of increasing demands will pass.
Encourage them to take regular breaks during study and ensure these are productive (getting fresh air, stepping away from screens, connecting with other friends and family). Block in time with them to go for a walk etc.
Encourage them to eat healthy well-balanced meals and ensure they are well hydrated. Insist they come out of their room or study space for this!
Encourage them to maintain a healthy sleep schedule. Many students will be tempted to study later into the evenings at this time. Remind them of the important restorative need for adequate sleep.
Remind students to be realistic about expectations and time they are spending studying. Ensure they understand the need for balance and breaks.
We have noticed that students are logging and tracking their study schedules with apps on their phone. While this is helpful for creating a schedule, seeing the time others are spending studying can become problematic. Please be mindful of your daughter’s use of these kind of apps and suggest it is removed if you believe it is becoming a concern.
Refocus their thoughts on things they can control. During this time students can often feel there are too many things. They can become overwhelmed and feel out of control. Help them to recognise small steps they can make to regaining control of the situation. Direct them to things they can control.
Ensure they are studying in a set area and even help set this area up as a special space for them. This should be at a desk and ideally it should be outside of the bedroom where possible. This will help students with maintaining their sleep schedules. If the study area is inside the bedroom, ensure students are not studying on their beds.

Rebecca Wright

Senior Years Coordinator