Year 11 & 12 Sub School News

Assistant Principal's Report

It’s been a positive start to the term, with a range of activities and initiatives supporting student wellbeing and engagement across the school. 

We're excited to share that our Breakfast Club has officially started this term! Held every Wednesday morning from 8:00am to 8:30am in the Gillard Centre and supported by Foodbank, the Breakfast Club offers a selection of cereals, toast, spaghetti, and fresh fruit. It’s been fantastic to see so many students dropping in to enjoy a nutritious start to their day and connect with peers in a relaxed setting. 

Students recently completed the Resilient Youth Survey during their wellbeing classes, as part of the Resilience Project. The results were overwhelmingly positive, highlighting strong peer friendships across year levels, supportive school and home environments, active participation in extracurricular and physical activities, and a general commitment to healthy lifestyles. These outcomes are a wonderful reflection of our school’s culture and the strength of our wellbeing programs. 

In Week 4, I had the pleasure of visiting our students at Music Camp at Urban Camp. Even during my short visit, I was struck by the enthusiasm and collaboration among students from different year levels, and the new friendships forming. That same weekend, our AAFC students took part in the Sectional Challenge Camp on a base around Melbourne. I’ve heard fantastic reports from staff and students alike. It was a weekend of challenges and unforgettable experiences. 

We’re incredibly proud of how our students are embracing every opportunity to grow, connect, and thrive both inside and outside the classroom. 

With the second half of the term underway, there’s plenty happening in the Senior School space. 

Our Year 11 students are currently preparing for their Unit 1 examinations, which will take place in Week 8. This is an important milestone in their VCE journey, and we wish them all the best as they revise and prepare. Following exams, students will be looking forward to celebrating their efforts at the Year 11 Formal in Week 9, a much-anticipated event on the senior school calendar. 

For our Year 12 students and those undertaking a Unit 3/4 subject, the General Achievement Test (GAT) will be held on Tuesday 17 June. The GAT plays an important role in VCE assessment and is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their general knowledge and skills. Students receive a VCAA information booklet, their timetable and an information session in the lead up. They are encouraged to take the time to familiarise themselves with the structure of the test. 

We’re proud of the dedication and focus our senior students continue to show and look forward to supporting them through the busy weeks ahead. 

Kate Nicholls

Assistant Principal

Year 11

As always it has been a busy and exciting term for our Year 11 students! With the end of Unit 1 classes only two weeks away and the GAT and exams right around the corner, students are working hard to ensure they finish the unit on a successful and positive note. It’s fantastic to see so many Year 11 students making use of the VCE Study Centre on a regular basis, organising their own study groups and supporting each other to grow as learners. 

However, it’s not all study in Year 11 with many extra-curricular events occurring in Term 2 including but not limited to, music camp, dance night and sporting events which are keeping our students busy and engaged! Maintaining a balance between study, extra-curricular activities, part-time work and social time is important and contributes to a student‘s overall positive wellbeing. Being organised is key and we encourage students to use diary or study timetable to help them keep track of their homework, assessment and other commitments.  

These strategies and many other such as stress management have been taught explicitly during our fortnightly wellbeing sessions. It’s great to see Year 11’s enthusiastically engaging with their teachers and classmates during these sessions, drawing on the lessons from The Resilience Project to build their confidence, empathy, emotional intelligence and gratitude.  

The big topic of conversation swirling around Year 11 at the moment is the upcoming Year 11 formal on the 20 of June. It’s sure to be a fabulous night and we can’t wait to see everyone dressed up in their best outfits. Watch this space for photos from the big night in the next newsletter!.

Claire Tudor

Year 11 & 12 Student Engagement & Wellbeing Leader

Year 12

It’s been a productive and exciting term for our Year 12 students as they continue to navigate their final year with focus and enthusiasm. 

We were fortunate to welcome a guest speaker from Success Integrated, who delivered an insightful presentation on mindset, study skills, motivations and resilience. This was complemented by individual careers meetings, where students had the opportunity to explore their future pathways one-on-one. 

The spirit of teamwork and school pride was on full display at the Senior Sports Day, where many of our Year 12s proudly represented the school for the last time in netball, soccer, AFL, and badminton. A fantastic effort by all involved! 

Back in the classroom, students are putting in great effort as they complete their final SACs for Unit 3. With fifteen weeks already behind them and only seventeen to go, the countdown to the finish line has truly begun.  Homegroups have also been enjoying the fun tradition of counting down birthdays, a nice moment of celebration among the busyness. 

Our students are regularly seen in their Year 12 jumpers, a proud symbol of their final year. As the weather cools, we remind everyone to continue wearing the correct school uniform appropriate to the weather.  

Looking ahead, preparations for the GAT are underway. The Year 12 cohort has settled in well and continues to show determination as they work towards the end of their schooling journey. 

Keep up the great work, Year 12s! 

Tonia Douglas-Scarfe & Dan Childs

Year 12 Leaders