Senior School
Head of Senior School - Jessica Zwarts
Acting Head Of Senior School - Neil LaRocca
Senior School Students Celebrate IDAHOBIT
Article by Lauren Old, Teacher of Humanities and School Counsellor
Senior School students proudly came together to celebrate IDAHOBIT once again this year through a series of meaningful events designed to promote inclusion, respect and awareness across the community.
Gender and Sexuality Symposium
On Tuesday 5 May, students from the Delta Project attended the fifth annual Gender and Sexuality Symposium hosted by Caulfield Grammar School. Students from 12 schools spent the day exploring current issues facing young people, particularly within LGBTIQA+ communities.
Students heard from keynote speaker Danny Cash, who shared his personal experiences and reflected on the open letter he wrote to the Presbyterian Church in 2023 regarding its stance that gay students cannot be effective leaders. His presentation was both engaging and thought-provoking, encouraging students to reflect on the importance of inclusion and advocacy.
Throughout the day, students also participated in a variety of workshops covering topics such as Pride in Schools, LGBTIQA+ Icons in History, Having Difficult Conversations and learning more about the Victorian Pride Centre.
“The symposium was an amazing event to attend where we were able to connect with other schools, participate in workshops and make new friends. The symposium is a fantastic experience that allows everyone to share ideas and work to improve equality in schools,” said Katia, Year 12.
IDAHOBIT Assembly
A special IDAHOBIT assembly was held on Wednesday 13 May during a pastoral care lesson for all Senior School students. The presentation highlighted the significance of IDAHOBIT and the importance of continuing to raise awareness about the discrimination that LGBTIQA+ people can face, while encouraging students to always show respect towards one another through their language and behaviour.
Students heard from guest speaker Archie Beetle, who shared their experiences as a high school student and how these experiences led to the founding of Queer Town. Many students commented on how engaging and inspiring Archie was as a speaker.
The assembly also featured an outstanding performance by the Senior School choir, who performed This is Me from The Greatest Showman.
Building Connection Through Creativity
During lunchtimes on Thursday 14 and Friday 15 May, students gathered in the Senior School Library to participate in friendship bracelet making activities. The event provided a fun and welcoming opportunity for students across different year levels to connect, build friendships and celebrate the spirit of inclusion together.
The General Achievement Test (GAT)
Article by Jenny Young, VCE Coordinator
On June 16th all students undertaking a Unit 3 VCE or VCE VM subject or a will be completing the General Achievement Test (GAT).
What is the GAT?
The GAT is a test of a student’s general knowledge and skills. It addresses general knowledge in English, Mathematics, Science and History. It also assesses a student’s skills in writing, basic numeracy and reasoning.
The GAT is a two part examination:
Section A: will assess literacy and numeracy skills
Section B: will assess skills in Mathematics, Science, Technology, Arts and Humanities, with an increased focus on critical and creative thinking skills
Why do students complete the GAT?
There are multiple purposes to the GAT which include:
The GAT provides all VCE students an opportunity to demonstrate that they meet the Victorian Literacy and Numeracy Standards.
Should a student require a derived exam score, VCAA will use the GAT in combination with the student’s course work results to determine a derived exam score.
In the event of anomalous results (a student’s exam grade does not match internal assessment grades), the GAT may be called upon as a comparison.
The GAT does not calculate a student’s study score or ATAR, but it can influence these scores. If you would like further information, VCAA have developed an information brochure that can be accessed here.
Details of the GAT
The GAT will take place on Tuesday the 16th of June.
Please note:
There are no reschedules available.
This is an externally supervised and assessed VCAA assessment.
All students enrolled in one or more VCE or scored VCE VET Unit 3-4 sequences will be required to sit both Sections A and B.
VCE VM students undertaking a non ATAR program and a non ATAR VET are only required to complete Section A.
Students are required to be in full winter uniform and to meet in the Atrium, with all their equipment, at 8:30am.
The exam schedule will be:
Section A: 9:00am – 11:15pm (Literacy and Numeracy)
Section B: 1:15pm – 3:00pm (General Knowledge and Skills)
Students are to remain on site for the day and the library and Atrium will be available for them to rest and complete private study between examinations.
What can students bring into the examination room?
Students are permitted to bring into each examination:
Basic stationery – pens, pencils, erasers (liquid paper is not permitted). Stationary needs to be held in a clear pencil case – a zip lock bag is perfect.
A clear water bottle (max 1.5L), with all labels removed
An English dictionary (no thesaurus allowed)
A scientific calculator
Year 11 students who are not undertaking a Unit 3 subject will revise for their exams from home on this day.
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Please access via the following link.