Learning Pedagogy and Innovation

Welcome back to Term 2. I hope the break provided an opportunity for rest and renewal, and that students have returned ready to engage with their learning.

This term, our teaching and learning focus is on the consistent use of Learning Intentions and Success Criteria to strengthen student understanding and achievement. The aim is for each lesson to begin with a clearly articulated Learning Intention, outlining the purpose and goal of the learning. This will be supported by co-constructed Success Criteria, developed with students to make explicit what high-quality work looks like and how to achieve it.

Establishing clear goals enables students to understand both what they are learning and the steps required for success. When combined with effective differentiation, goal setting ensures that each student is working towards targets that are appropriately challenging and aligned with their current level of understanding. Research supports this approach, with Marzano (2007) emphasising that clear goals are essential for developing self-regulated learners, and Locke and Latham (2002) noting that students are more likely to persist when goals are specific and attainable.

Term 2 is a busy and productive period for learning across the College, with a range of enriching opportunities planned for our students. These include excursions and incursions such as Gippsland Tech School, Top Arts, Top Designs, VM Coffee Fundamentals, and Live4Life, all of which provide valuable real-world connections to classroom learning.

Key dates and events for the term include:

• Year 7, 9, 11 Elevate Program: 6 May
• Year 10 Work Experience: 1 June – 5 June
• Year 11 Exams: 5 June – 12 June
• Year 10 Exams: 12 June – 17 June
• VCE GAT: 16 June
• Year 9 Morrisby Profiling: 18 June

We look forward to a rewarding and successful term ahead.

General Achievement Test (GAT)

The GAT is an important part of the VCE assessment process and is completed by all students studying a Unit 3 and 4 VCE or scored VET subject.

The GAT is an external assessment conducted by VCAA at our school -  at the same time and date in all Victorian schools. It cannot be postponed, delayed our caught up on another day. The first exam (Section A) begins at 9:00am focuses on literacy and numeracy skills, while the second exam (Section B) begins at 1:15pm and assesses general knowledge, including science, humanities and the arts. Students need to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time of their GAT exams.

There will be a break between these exams where students can participate in games/activities ran by VCE staff and share in a free BBQ lunch.

Who needs to sit the GAT?

All students enrolled in any Unit 3 and 4 subjects must complete the GAT. This includes:

• Year 12 students completing their VCE or VCE VM studies 
• Year 11 students undertaking a Unit 3/4 subject 
• All students in the VCE Vocational Major (VM) need to take GAT Exam 1. If they are also completing other VCE or VET Unit 3/4 subjects, they will also need to complete GAT Exam 2.

Even if you are in Year 11 or completing VM, you are required to sit the GAT if you are enrolled in a Unit 3/4 study.

Why is the GAT important?

While it does not directly count towards most study scores, the GAT is used by VCAA to:

• Check the accuracy of assessment results 
• Support fair moderation of school-based assessments 
• Help calculate a Derived Examination Score (DES) if you are unable to complete an exam due to illness or other serious circumstances