Wantirna College Newsletter

Senior School

Key Dates:

Term 3

Fri 30 Aug: CHES Apps Close

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

Mon 7 & Tue 8 Oct: Yr 12 VM Presentations

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

Year 12 VCE Prep for Exams: Term 3 School Holidays  

Week 1 Holidays: 

Knox Schools Exam Preparation Sessions  

 

Knox Government Secondary Schools are proud to work in partnership to provide an exceptional, free End of Year Exam Preparation Program for students undertaking VCE Units 3 and 4 (Year 12 and early start VCE students). This program will be conducted face to face from Tue 24 to Thu 26 Sept.

 

Sessions will be held at Knox Community Arts Centre, 790 Mountain Hwy, Bayswater. Students will receive physical resources on the day of their session.  Further information will be distributed via Teams and Compass very soon, including the final schedule and sign-up process. Stay tuned for more information! 

 

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

 

Invitation - Year 12 Parent & Student Info Evening  

Monday 26 August - Online

The Senior School extends a cordial invitation to all Year 12 students and their parents/carers to attend an important information evening: Navigating the Future: VTAC, Pathway Planning, and Exam Preparation Evening on Monday 26 August. 

 

Further details, including a link to access the online session, will be communicated via Compass in due course. 

 

The online presentation will address the following topics: 

  • VTAC preferences, including key dates and procedures for changing preferences 
  • Receipt of VCE results 
  • Next steps after VM 
  • Understanding the ATAR: its significance, functionality, and relation to VTAC 
  • The role of the Pathways Team 
  • Exam preparation, including effective study strategies, revision programs and practice exams 
  • Examination procedures, including rules and regulations 
  • Expectations for Term 4 classes 
  • Other information

We look forward to your participation in this informative session. 

 

 

David Black

Assistant Principal