Senior School update

Academic Support Programs 

This term, the Senior School is running a number of programs designed to support our students as their workload starts to increase and exams inch closer. We hope that these workshops give students more confidence in tackling assessment, and more agency over their own learning, as they adopt new study skills and apply them to their upcoming SACs, outcomes and exams.  

In the lead up to their first exam period this year, the Year 11s will have the opportunity to attend Skills Booster, which is a program run by Box Hill High School teachers on select lunchtimes over a four-week period. Students may choose which sessions they would like to attend out of Goal Setting, Command Terms & Revision Activities, and Organisation Skills & Time Management.  

On 14th May, all Year 11 students will be attending the “Ace Your Exams” workshops run by Elevate Education. They will cover high value exam preparation tasks and important exam skills like time allocation and techniques for managing stress and time pressure.  

This term, we are also introducing a program called Strive for our highest achieving Year 12 students. The aim of this program will be to get our high achievers working together. They will have the opportunity to learn the value of collaboration, as well as participate in a number of structured activities aimed at enhancing their learning. This program will run throughout Terms 2 and 3. Students will be contacted soon regarding participation.  

Year 12s will also have their Skills Booster and Elevate Education programs running during Term 3.  

Our Awesome Staff: Ms Thompson’s Edition 

 Name: Arabella Thompson 

Position: Year 12 Coordinator 

What subjects do you teach? 

VCE Biology and Junior Science 

What attracted you to a year level coordinator role? 

I found that the thing I loved about teaching was watching and guiding students to grow as people as well as learners. It has been extremely special to work with the Year 12s for two years, to watch their growth, from their personality, their maturity as well as their understanding of themselves and those around them. 

Favourite food? 

Anything Mexican! 

What are you reading/watching at the moment?  

I am reading Exiles by Jane Harper, as I was obsessed with The Dry.  I am watching The Gentlemen.  

Do you have any 2024 travel plans? 

My partner and I travelled to Hobart in the Easter Break which was lovely to slow down for a moment. But in that same month, we bought our first home, so I think that’s enough for travel this year (we are hoping to get to Europe in 2025 though!) 

How would you describe yourself when you were in Year 12? 

Surprising to most staff and students but I was quiet but starting to become more confident. I was busy with sport (Netball, Soccer and Rowing) and planning a big trip for the end of Year 12 with my friends. I was one of the very few people in my year level who knew what I wanted to do when I finished school, and I was excited to start my teaching career.  

What will you miss most about the Year 12s? 

Their humour and smiles.  

This year level has such big hearts and are so caring of each other and myself, all of them always walk past and check in on how each other are doing as well as check in on me. They make me laugh in class and in the Common Room and I can’t wait to see them outside of school, from Production to Formal and Valedictory.