Senior School News
SENIOR SCHOOL UPDATE
As we approach the conclusion of Term 1, I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the positive and purposeful start our senior students have made to the 2026 academic year. It has been a busy and productive term, with students across Years 10-12, engaging in their coursework with increasing independence and commitment.
For our VCE students, both Unit 1 and Unit 3 classes are now well underway, with School Assessed Coursework (SACs) taking place across a range of subjects. These assessments are an important part of each student’s learning journey and provide valuable opportunities to demonstrate their understanding and application of key knowledge and skills.
Our Year 10 students have also successfully completed their first Common Assessment Task (CAT) week for the year. This experience is designed to support students in developing the organisational skills, study habits and resilience required as they transition into their senior years. We commend students for their efforts during this period and encourage them to reflect on their performance as they continue to build strong learning routines.
It is also important to reiterate the expectations required for students to achieve a satisfactory result (‘S’) for their outcomes. These requirements are set in accordance with VCAA guidelines and are essential for successful progression through senior studies.
Requirements for Achieving an ‘S’ for an Outcome:
Attendance:
Please note that medical certificates do not exempt students from completing class tasks. They serve to inform the school of an absence, allowing teachers to provide alternative opportunities for students to complete missed work. It is important to understand that VCAA does not stipulate that courses can be completed entirely by correspondence, and significant absences can make it challenging for teachers to authenticate a student’s work.
Participation in Class:
Teachers need to visibly observe and hear students actively participating in class activities. If students do not follow instructions or complete alternative work, it becomes difficult for teachers to authenticate their understanding and ability to complete tasks.
Assessment Completion:
Students are required to complete homework tasks, as these are important assessments that contribute to a teacher’s judgment of their ability to achieve a satisfactory outcome.
We also encourage families to engage with the Continuum on Compass, which acts as an important tool for monitoring student progress. Your child should be able to support you in locating this feature. It provides valuable insight into how they are progressing against expected learning outcomes and can support conversations at home about their learning.
Should you require further clarification on any of these points, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s classroom teacher or the relevant Year Level Coordinator.
ATTENDANCE AND MERIT SHOP
Attendance and punctuality continue to remain as a strong focus across the Senior School and the College as a whole. It has been wonderful to see so many students arriving to class on time each morning at the beginning of this term. This positive habit not only supports learning but also develops a valuable life skill that will serve them well beyond school. Each week, we have proudly celebrated our E.P.I.C award winners. These are students who have been present in every class, every period.
It has also been fantastic to see students consistently demonstrating our college values of Respect, Resilience and Responsibility, acknowledged through the Merit system. Students are awarded green Merits when they actively demonstrate these values, while inappropriate behaviours may result in orange Minors (–1 point) or red Majors (–2 points). Merits can then be accumulated and redeemed at the Merit Shop, located in the Year 10 and 11 Senior School Coordination Office. Open every Friday lunchtime, make sure to get in and collect prizes!
YEAR 10 WORK EXPERIENCE
As we look ahead to Term 2, Year 10 Work Experience is a significant and valuable component of the senior school pathway. This program provides students with an important opportunity to explore potential career interests, develop workplace skills, and gain firsthand insight into professional environments.
Work experience placements are scheduled to take place at the end of Term 2, and by this stage, all students should have finalised their arrangements. This includes securing a placement and submitting all required documentation. Students are expected to have provided their completed paperwork to Phuong in the Careers Office.
We encourage families to have conversations with their child about what they hope to gain from their placement and to support them in preparing for the expectations of a professional workplace, including punctuality, communication, and initiative.
If there are any outstanding arrangements or concerns regarding placements or documentation, students are advised to follow this up as soon as possible
FINAL MESSAGES
I encourage all families to regularly keep an eye on the weekly Year Level updates distributed by the relevant coordinators, as well as important information and reminders that will be communicated by myself across the term.
These updates are carefully designed to ensure you remain informed about key dates, upcoming assessments, school expectations, and any events or opportunities that may be relevant to your child. They also provide timely insights into what is happening at each year level, allowing families to better support students in managing their workload, meeting deadlines, and maintaining a balanced approach to their studies.
We strongly recommend taking a few moments each week to review these communications with your child. This can be a valuable opportunity to discuss their progress, address any concerns early, and reinforce positive organisational habits.
As we head towards the term break, I encourage all students to take the opportunity to rest and recharge, while also reflecting on their goals and progress so far. We look forward to continuing to support our students in achieving their personal best throughout the year.
Kind regards,
Monique Lenehan-Moustafa
DIRECTOR OF SENIOR SCHOOL