Assistant Principal's Report

We now have a subject handbook for all year levels. The 2025 Year 7 and 8 handbook has been developed and published to our school website. It includes an overview of all Core subjects and the Enrichment Programs and can be found on the Teaching and Learning tab, Curriculum and Assessment section.  

There have been some slight changes to our music program, based on student interest and needs. Year 7 Music and Drama will be delivered for a term each in the Performing Arts Semester subject next year. Year 8 Music will run as a Semester elective in the Enrichment Program next year. Year 9 will continue as the Music Development Program. Year 10, 11 and 12 will be offered VCE Music Performance. 

We have finalised student's subject courses and they should be emailed out this week. We have commenced working on staffing the 2025 timetable and will review other timetable needs such as classroom allocations. We have several high-achieving students applying for accelerated programs and VCE subjects such as English Language and Specialist Maths at The Centre for Higher Education Studies (CHES), a new centre of excellence designed to further improve educational outcomes for high-achieving and high-ability students across Victoria. We hope to hear back soon with offers from CHES. 

Teachers have begun to familiarise with Victorian Curriculum version 2.0, with the Mathematics Curriculum to be ready for implementation for the start of 2025.

Mathematics teachers are meeting in Year level teams to review our Curriculum Maps and assessment requirements. We have also given staff an overview of the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0 and discussed school priorities around these. Developmental Rubrics have been showcased by our Domain Leaders. This is to ensure alignment between subjects so that rubrics are constructed consistently for students and families to be able to interpret rubric feedback. Next term we will continue to work on rubrics, curriculum and assessment for next year to ensure we deliver Department priorities.  

We have conducted Practice exams after school for Year 12 students and they will also be scheduled for the school holidays. Please see schedule below.  

Dr Michael Carr Gregg, a well known expert in adolescent mental health has a range of information on his website around VCE study habits. Here are his  Eleven Top hints  for Effective Study:  

Establish a routine - set aside a particular time each day for study and revision and stick to it. 

Create a study environment.  

Set a timetable - with a timetable you can plan to cover all your subjects in an organised  way allotting the appropriate time for each without becoming overwhelmed.  

Look after yourself - Drink and eat right. Get enough sleep each night –    Regular physical exercise makes you feel great, boosts your energy and helps you relax. So try to keep up regular sporting activities or at least fit in some regular exercise. Reward yourself for studying. Watch your favourite television program, spend time with your friends, walk to the park, play sport.  

Have variety in your study program - study different subjects each day.  

Do different types of work and revision in each study session.  

Avoid interrupting your concentration. Have all the appropriate materials with you before you start a session of study to minimise distractions.   

Test yourself on what you have studied - ask your parents or family members to quiz you on what you have learnt.  

Use draft questions from books, past assessments or major exam papers.  

Don't panic at exam time.  

Ask your teachers for guidance.  

Another useful article written by Dr Michael Carr Gregg called ‘9 ways to manage Year 12 stress’ can be found here. 

Wishing all our Year 12 students all the very best- the hard work and dedication to their secondary school studies intensifies as they prepare for the VCAA exams starting early next term. 

We hope all staff, students and families have a safe and relaxing break and see you all refreshed at the start of Term Four.