Wishing our Year 12's all the best for the final leg of their VCE journey

I keenly draw your attention to the new Prefects Report in this newsletter. You will see in there the news that our 2026 Head Prefects have been appointed.  My congratulations to Pieper Gottschling and Alec Armstrong and I welcome them to this important role serving our school.  Their first official role was chairing an assembly last week that was focused on speeches from those in Year 10 seeking prefect roles for 2026. It was a wonderful assembly and the school was impressed by the number of applicants, and the calibre of their speeches. See photos in the Prefects Report

Wishing Our Year 12s the Best for Their Final Sprint

As our Year 12 students head into the holidays and prepare for the final stretch before their VCE exams, we want to acknowledge the hard work, persistence and determination that has brought them this far. This period is a crucial opportunity to consolidate learning and build confidence for the weeks ahead.

Research into the study habits of thousands of VCE students highlights a simple yet highly effective strategy: completing large numbers of practice questions. Repetition strengthens memory and recall, reduces stress on exam day, and helps students identify areas that require further attention. In fact, students who engaged heavily in practice questions showed a strong correlation with higher study scores.

The key message is clear: while notes and summaries have their place, genuine progress comes from active practice. Past exam papers, sample questions, and school-provided resources are freely available and provide excellent preparation. As one leading educator put it, “practice, practice and more practice” is the proven pathway to success.

These holidays offer the perfect window to make that investment in preparation. We encourage our Year 12s to structure their time, balance study with rest, and commit to regular practice. Every question completed builds confidence and resilience for the challenges ahead.

On behalf of our school community, we wish our Year 12 students the very best as they embark on this final stretch. We are proud of you and confident that your effort and determination will carry you through to success.

Leveraging AI to practice questions

I encourage students to approach artificial intelligence as a tool to support and extend their learning. Used thoughtfully, AI can strengthen revision, assist in checking for understanding, and deepen comprehension.

One powerful example is Gemini Guided Learning(see side-by-side comparison in video below). This platform supports students by:

• guiding them step by step through challenging concepts and questions, rather than just the answer
• helping identify misunderstandings and strengthen weak areas
• providing interactive explanations, diagrams and quizzes that make learning active and engaging.

For our Year 12 students, pairing Gemini Guided Learning with practice questions can transform preparation for the VCE. For all learners across the school, it provides an additional way to check understanding and build confidence.

When combined with deliberate practice and sustained effort, AI has the potential to open powerful opportunities for growth and achievement.

Dave Armstrong

Executive Principal