Senior School Report

As we move towards the end of term, I would like to acknowledge the hard work and effort students have shown throughout the semester. This can be a busy and challenging time of year, particularly with upcoming exams and assessment periods across Years 10 to 12. It is important that students continue to focus on establishing positive study routines, staying organised, and maintaining consistent attendance to support their learning and wellbeing.

Students are encouraged to seek support early if they are finding aspects of their studies challenging. Classroom teachers, Year Level Teams, and wellbeing staff are all available to assist students with academic support, study strategies, time management, and proactive approaches to managing stress and maintaining balance during busy periods.

Families can support students by encouraging healthy routines, including regular sleep, balanced study schedules, exercise, and open communication during this period. We appreciate the continued partnership between home and school in supporting students to achieve their personal best.

Thank you for your ongoing support as we work together to ensure all students finish the semester positively and with confidence.

Upcoming assessment and examination dates include:

• Year 10 Exams: Tuesday 16th June – Thursday 18th June
• Year 11 Exams: Thursday 4th June – Monday 15th June
• Year 12 English Practice Exam: Wednesday 3rd June
• General Achievement Test (GAT): Tuesday 16th June (this includes all Year 12 students and any Year 11 students currently studying a Unit 3/4 subject)

Regards,

George Conway

Acting Assistant Principal - Senior School

Year 12 - Legacy

Athletics Carnival

Our Year 12 students created some wonderful memories at this year’s Athletics Carnival. A highlight of the day was seeing students participate in the parade in front of the rest of the school, bringing energy, enthusiasm and house spirit to the event. Their participation was a fantastic example of leadership, with our senior students acting as positive role models for younger year levels.

End of Unit 3 - The Countdown Begins!

Unit 3 assessments conclude on Friday 5 June, with many subjects already beginning Unit 4 content. It is essential that students ensure they are up to date with all authenticated coursework and have completed any outstanding SACs by this date. Teachers are regularly communicating with families via Compass regarding students who may be at risk, so we encourage parents and carers to stay up to date with these communications and reach out to their child’s teachers to discuss progress where needed.

General Achievement Test (GAT)

The General Achievement Test, also known as the GAT, will take place on Tuesday 16 June. This will be an altered day for Year 12 students, with no scheduled classes. A student briefing took place on Thursday 28 May during Period 5, where students received their exam advice slips and important VCAA documentation relating to the GAT. 

Attendance Reminders

All Year 12 students are required to be on site from 9:00am–3:10pm every day. Study leave due to free periods (first and last class of the day only) is the only time that arrival and departure outside of these hours is approved.

Students must not sign out early if they have:

• Assembly
• SACs in Period 5
• Supervised coursework sessions booked by their teacher
• Lots of coursework/homework to do

Please support us to ensure students remain on site and attend all scheduled classes and school activities to maximise their learning and results in the final months of school. Please avoid booking appointments or commitments during school hours as this can be significantly disruptive to students’ busy assessment schedules. 

Supporting Your Year 12 Child at Home

Parents and guardians play a vital role in supporting VCE students:

• Communication: Stay in touch with your child’s teachers to monitor their progress and discuss any concerns.
• Encouragement: Offer support and encouragement as your child navigates their studies. Positive reinforcement can significantly impact their motivation and confidence.
• Home Environment: Provide a quiet, organised study space at home to help your child focus and be productive.

The VCE exam timetable will be published in late May on the VCAA website. It’s important that you check the timetable carefully so you know the exact dates, times, and locations of your child’s exams, as these are set by the VCAA and are not flexible. 

Valedictory - Book your tickets now!

The Year 12 Valedictory Dinner is a unique and important event in your child’s life, celebrating their academic achievement, dedication and growth over the past 13 years of schooling. We warmly invite families to be part of this special occasion and celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2026 alongside peers, staff, family and friends.

The event will be held at La Belle Venues on Thursday 3 December 2026 and will include a three-course meal served with soft drinks. Year 12 student tickets are available via the Compass event, while guest tickets for family members must be purchased through the TryBooking link here.

Important Dates

GAT Information Session (Mandatory for all students completing Unit 3/4 subjects) - Thursday 28th May

King’s Birthday Public Holiday- Monday 8th June

English Practice Exam - Wednesday 3rd June 

General Achievement Test (GAT) - Tuesday 16th June

Assessment and Reporting Day - Friday 20th June

Term 2 Ends - Friday 26th June

Curriculum Day - Monday 13th July

Term 3 Starts - Tuesday 14th July

Year 11 - Identity

Year 11 VCE Students Off to a Strong Start in Term 2

Term 2 has begun positively for our Year 11 VCE students, with the cohort returning focused, organised, and ready to continue building on the strong foundations established earlier in the year. Across all subjects, students have demonstrated a positive attitude towards their learning and have continued to engage actively in class activities, discussions, and assessment preparation.

As the term progresses, students are now approaching the conclusion of unit 1 and are completing their final School-Assessed Coursework (SACs). This is an important stage of the semester, as students consolidate the knowledge and skills they have developed throughout the term. Teachers have been pleased with the persistence and maturity students have shown as they balance assessment deadlines, revision, and classwork. The experience of managing multiple SACs is an important part of the VCE journey and continues to help students develop effective time-management and study habits.

Attention is also beginning to shift towards the upcoming examination period, with many students already starting their revision and exam preparation. For many of our Year 11 students, these exams represent an important opportunity to practise the skills required for success in senior studies, including extended writing, time management, and applying knowledge under exam conditions.

The first exam for the cohort will be the English examination, scheduled for Thursday 4th of June. As English is a compulsory VCE subject, this exam marks an important milestone in the students’ academic year. The examination period will conclude on Monday 15th of June. It is important to note that there will be no classes during the examination period and that unit 2 will begin the following day.

We encourage all students to continue preparing consistently over the coming weeks and to make use of the study strategies and support available to them. We wish the entire Year 11 cohort the very best as they complete their final SACs and prepare for their upcoming exams.

Year 10 - Discovery

Building a Positive Year 10 Culture

To celebrate the positive start to the term, the Year 10 cohort was invited to a morning tea as a way of recognising and thanking students for their efforts, improvement, and contribution to the school community. The cohort demonstrated a growing sense of maturity, teamwork, and respect, helping to build a more positive and inclusive culture across the year level. The morning tea provided an opportunity to acknowledge the students’ commitment to learning, positive behaviour, and the supportive environment they continue to create together.

Throughout the term, a range of lunchtime activities also contributed to strengthening relationships and encouraging student engagement across the Year 10 cohort. Activities such as volleyball, karaoke, and Just Dance provided students with positive and inclusive opportunities to connect with peers and staff in a supportive environment. In addition, the boys’ and girls’ groups created spaces for students to build confidence, develop communication skills, and strengthen their sense of belonging within the school community. These initiatives played an important role in promoting student voice, wellbeing, and a positive culture across the year level.

Celebrating Diversity

The Year 10 cohort continued to celebrate and embrace the diversity within the school community through a range of inclusive initiatives and student opportunities. This term, Pasifika, an external organisation visited the school to engage students from Pacific Island backgrounds through cultural activities and discussions aimed at strengthening cultural identity, connection, and belonging. The sessions provided students with a positive opportunity to celebrate their culture and build relationships within the school community.

In addition, students were encouraged to share and showcase their talents and cultures through whole-school events. A highlight this term was Zahra performing at assembly, where she confidently shared her singing talent with the school community. These opportunities helped foster pride, inclusion, and respect for the diverse backgrounds and experiences represented across the cohort.

VET Discovery Expo

60 Year 10 students attended the Hume Whittlesea LLEN VET Discovery Day, where they had the opportunity to explore a wide range of vocational education and training pathways available through VET. Throughout the day, students participated in interactive demonstrations and activities across a variety of industries, including aviation, animal care, beauty, business, childcare, hospitality, health services, trades, sports and recreation, and creative industries. The excursion provided students with valuable insight into potential future pathways and supported them in considering options for their 2027 VCE VM and VET course selections. 

Upcoming Events

Upcoming work experience placements and exams will provide Year 10 students with valuable opportunities to further develop their independence, responsibility, and future pathways. Work experience will allow students to gain insight into different industries and workplaces, helping them build practical skills, confidence, and a better understanding of potential career options. At the same time, upcoming exams will give students the opportunity to demonstrate their learning, prepare for the expectations of senior school, and reflect on areas for growth. These experiences are important milestones in supporting students to become resilient, organised, and prepared for their transition into Year 11 and beyond. 

Upcoming Pathway Opportunities

As students begin preparing for their senior school pathways, several important events have been organised to support them in making informed decisions about their future studies and career goals. On the 15th of July, students and families will have the opportunity to attend the VCE & VCE VM Expo, which will showcase information about Year 11 and 12 pathways, subject offerings, VET opportunities, and post-school options. The expo will provide valuable insight into the different pathways available and help students consider the opportunities best suited to their interests and goals.

This will be followed by Course Counselling Sessions on the 22nd of July, where students will meet individually with staff to select their Year 11 pathway and subjects, including any VET courses they may wish to undertake. These sessions are designed to ensure students feel supported and informed as they plan for their senior secondary education and future aspirations.

VM - Strive

Future Innovators: Designing the Tools of Tomorrow

The Year 11 VM students became inventors in March in WRS. The challenge was simple, to think about the job they want in the future and design a tool that makes that work safer, easier on the body, or better for the planet.

Students came up with some fantastic designs. Here are a few

• Multi tools: so that you don’t have to keep going to your tool box
• Super-Strong Gloves: Built to handle extreme heat for students heading into trades.
• Hover-Bags: Floating sports bags for PE teachers, so they don’t have to lug heavy gear across the oval.
• Creative Kits: Flying coffee machines, portable art kits and compact makeup kits to help workers stay organised on the move.

We headed to Whittlesea Tech to turn these sketches into real prototypes. This project was a great way for students to think about Workplace Health and Safety in a practical way. It was great to see everyone working and problem solving together. 

Numeracy Trail

In the last week of Term 1, our Yr 11 and 12 VM students travelled to Melbourne’s CBD to document their Location and Direction skills. They were given a list of places of interest as well as service providers, and were tasked with finding them in a specified window of time. They were also given time to find and eat their lunch or snacks of preference - some found time to do a little sightseeing and shopping along the way. 

As all students were able to return to the meeting place on time, we are confident our Year 11 and 12 VM students are more than capable of navigating their ways to job interviews and job sites, as well as personal destinations such as entertainment venues, restaurants, family and friends.

Athletics Carnival

As part of PDS across both year levels, students are required to support their local community. What better way to do this than to help run the events at the Athletics Carnival. VM students signed up before the day, picking which event they were going to support. During the day, many VM students came and helped the VM teachers who were running different events. This community spirit is what makes VM such a great family.

Breakfast Club

Students are continuing to support the Wellbeing team and students across the College as they help run breakfast club every Tuesday and Friday morning.

Focus in the Classroom

Year 11 and 12 students are working hard to wrap up their Unit 1 and Unit 3 studies. With final deadlines fast approaching, there is a real sense of purpose and energy in the classrooms.

Students are busy managing their time to ensure every task is completed, proving they have mastered the key skills and knowledge required for their Outcomes. It is a rewarding time of year as a full semester of effort comes together. We encourage everyone to keep up this great momentum and remind students to check in with their teachers if they need any extra support to hit those final targets.