9-12 Community News

It has been another busy term at St Augustine’s College, with our Year 9 camp and Senior Pathway and Subject Selection Information Night in recent weeks,  and our Year 10 Urban camp scheduled for next week.  Students have had to juggle extra commitments both within school and out of school with their formal studies.  We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our students, staff and families for your continued support. The students are to be commended on the resilience they have shown in ensuring that they have maintained their positivity and application to their studies and the life of the College throughout the long and busy term. 

Senior Pathway Information Night and Subject Selections 

Thank you to all the families that were able to attend the Senior Pathway Night to gain an understanding of the variety of subjects and different pathway options available to our students. 

Throughout the next two weeks, staff are available to answer any questions students may have during a number of lunchtime sessions. Students are encouraged to come to the POP and get all those burning questions answered. Keep an eye out on SIMON for session schedules.  Subject selections are due at the end of term (Friday 26th June). Blockings for VCE will then be undertaken and students will make their final selections next term.  

If you have any questions please contact braddownie@sakyabram.vic.edu.au 

Work Experience 

In Week 10, the students of 10B will have the opportunity to gain valuable insights into the world of work, commencing their work experience placements at workplaces including local primary schools, kindergartens, plumbers, electricians, accounting firms, Kyabram and District Health and real estate agents.  We wish our students all the best and hope that this experience will provide them with an understanding and appreciation of the possibilities for ‘life after school’. 

Senior Student Leadership Day 

On Friday 8th May five of our student leaders attended a Senior Leadership Day run by Catholic Education Sandhurst.  This was an opportunity for our students to come together with other student leaders from across all schools in Sandhurst “to reflect, collaborate, challenge ideas and imagine what authentic school leadership can look like in our schools and communities.” 

The opening address was given by Kate Fogarty who looked at our Cultural Covenant capturing who we are and how we choose to live, lead and learn together across all Sandhurst schools and “what is Life to the Full (John 10:10) and how might we challenge regional disadvantage?” 

The first activity of the day required students to reflect on a quote by Simon Sinek and what it meant to them as a student leader.  “Leadership is not about being in charge.  Leadership is about taking care of those in your charge.”    

Other sessions throughout the day included; Public Speaking, ‘Great Leaders’ – Who and Why? The Challenges of Leadership and Our Cultural Covenant – ‘Where to’ for Student Leadership in Sandhurst.  In this last session students had the opportunity to mingle with students from other schools and reflect on what leadership activities they were working on in their schools.  The final aspect of the day was for students to look at ‘What next’ at my school. 

Planning questions 

Our School Leaders want to look at 

• Improved communication

• Planning out a calendar of events for the year for leaders so that this can be used by all Year 12 cohorts in the years to come  

• The desire to talk to younger year levels to have their input into what they would like to happen at school

• A regular meeting time with students from each of the communities to form a genuine school student leadership team. 

Thank you to Guneet, Matilda, Dylan, Erin and Lacey for their participation at the event.  All students represented St Augustine’s College with respectful and thoughtful interactions and responses throughout the day. 

Year 9 Camp Jungai 

Our Year 9 students travelled to Rubicon to attend the Jungai Outdoor Education Camp on Monday 25th May to Wednesday 27th May.  After a rocky start and late arrival students were greeted at the camp by JJ who spoke to them about the set up and expectations.  Students ate their lunch and got ready for the first activity which was either canoeing, bush art or bush skills.  Students learned to make art works out of branches and leaves, to put up a makeshift tent from a single plastic sheet and to steer and navigate the water with a partner.  After tea students attended a cultural event lead by Auntie.  Auntie had the entire Year 9 cohort silent and engaged for an hour and a half where she spoke about indigenous history, culture and challenges.  

The next few days saw students involved in numerous activities with the addition of high ropes, cultural group story painting and bush tucker.  Students eagerly followed Auntie around the gardens of the camp sampling bush tucker such as pepper berry and finger limes smelling eucalyptus leaves and using leaves as a soap.  Each group created an indigenous painting with indigenous imagery around a story of a different animal – a kangaroo, turtle or possum. 

Some of the comments from our students about their favourite experiences included: 

“We loved Auntie she was the best”, “We loved the cultural evening”, “We loved Brenda (aka squirrel) she was the highlight because of her positive mindset and funny stories”, “We loved the group leaders who were very fun and energetic and were nice all the time to everyone”, “Team leader Brenda aka squirrel was the GOAT”, “The food was good especially the baked potatoes at lunch”, “We loved the quiz with Ciz”, “It was good that the teachers were chiller than at school”. 

Our time at camp concluded with a smoking ceremony requested by some of our Year 9 students led by Auntie. 

2027 Year 12 Rubgy Tops

Our Year 11 students have had the opportunity to try on sample tops for size. The deadline for try-ons is by recess next Monday, 15th June.  Students have received information on how to order their tops online.  Students are only permitted to put surnames on the back and their first name or shortened first name on the front.  The cost of the jumpers will remain unchanged at $99.00. 

We trust you all have a restful break and stay safe.  We look forward to working with you in Term 3. 

GAT Reminder – Tuesday 16 June 2026

A reminder to all VCE Units 3 and 4 students and their families that the General Achievement Test (GAT) will take place on Tuesday 16th June 2026 in the Brigidine Centre.

The GAT consists of two sections:

Section A – Literacy and Numeracy

• Time: 9:00 am – 11:15 am

• Reading Time: 15 minutes

• Writing Time: 2 hours

• Students must remain in the examination room for the entire session.

Section B – General Knowledge and Skills

• Time: 1:15 pm – 3:00 pm

• Reading Time: 15 minutes

• Writing Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

• Students must remain in the examination room for the entire session.

Section B assesses students’ knowledge and skills across Mathematics, Science, Technology, the Arts and Humanities, with an emphasis on critical and creative thinking.

Arrival and Examination Procedures

Students must report to the Brigidine Centre foyer by 8:45am for identification and materials checks before entering the examination room.

Uniform

Students may wear comfortable, warm casual clothing on the day.

Permitted Materials

Students should bring:

• Pens, pencils, highlighters, erasers, sharpeners and rulers in a clear snap-lock bag

• An English dictionary

• A scientific calculator

• A clear, label-free water bottle

No other food or drinks are permitted in the examination room unless approved through VCAA Special Examination Provisions.

During the Day

At the conclusion of Section A, students are required to remain at the College. Supervision will be provided in the Tolle Lege during the break between sessions.

The break between tests (11:15am-1:00pm) provides students with time to have lunch and refreshments. The College canteen will be open during this time. Students are encouraged to pre-order their lunch online to avoid delays.

Important Reminder

Students should ensure they have read the GAT information brochure and are familiar with all examination rules and procedures. Any approved Special Examination Provisions will apply as outlined in students’ individual GAT timetables.

We wish all students every success as they complete this important component of their VCE studies.