Learning & Teaching

Mount St. Joseph Girls’ College is dedicated to providing the best possible learning environment for its students. This approach is supported by the College’s Mission Statement which acknowledges that MSJ strives to be a learning community where:

1. Knowledge, ideas, imagination and creativity, and the pursuit of wisdom, are valued.
2. Critical thinking and openness of mind are encouraged.
3. Students and teachers share in a continuing process of learning and growth.
4. A desire for lifelong learning is generated.
5. Different learning styles are understood and respected.
6. Individual success is encouraged, achievement is affirmed, and excellence appreciated.
7. Students are empowered to live fulfilling and valuable lives, and to be leaders in a world of change.

This can be achieved in a learning environment where:

1. Gospel values are at the core of all teaching and learning experiences.
2. Students’ strengths, talents and contributions are acknowledged and respected. The progress of each student is recognised and affirmed. Achievement and excellence are celebrated.
3. Students have an opportunity to contribute to decisions about what they learn in a cooperative learning environment where exploration is encouraged.
4. Students are able to identify and reflect on their own learning styles in order to enhance their learning potential.
5. Literacy and numeracy are part of the learning experience.
6. Learning technology is embedded in the teaching and learning process.
7. All programs draw on students’ prior knowledge and experiences to facilitate a connectedness to their wider social context.
8. Teachers model learning as a lifelong and dynamic process.
9. A flexible and challenging curriculum enables students to acquire relevant knowledge, understandings and skills.

LEARNING PROGRAM

Our learning program provides breadth of opportunity to pursue personal pathways based on strengths, interests and talents whilst also ensuring a well-rounded education based on the Victorian Curriculum.

ASSESSMENT

The Assessment Policy of MSJ is central to the curriculum of the school. In accordance with the Mission Statement, it should meet the needs of all students, parents/carers and teachers, and nurture a desire for self-improvement and achievement. A fundamental principle is that all students are able to learn and demonstrate growth. Assessment provides regular information about students’ progress and leads to communication between students, parents/carers and teachers. The ways in which teachers assess student progress has a profound influence on student learning, hence we provide regular feedback on learning progress. Effective teaching involves a mixture of formative and summative assessment.

CANVAS

All assessment tasks, marks and curriculum resources that students access for their subjects are available on our Learning Management System, Canvas. Student feedback and results are posted online throughout the year and can be accessed by students and their parents/carers at any time. Canvas is the primary method of communicating student learning feedback and parents/carers are encouraged to log in on a regular basis.

SUBMISSION OF WORK

For satisfactory completion of a unit, a student must demonstrate achievement through classwork and assessed tasks for the unit that is specified in the study design. This decision will be based on the teacher’s judgement of the student’s performance on assessment tasks designated for the unit. The school will develop courses that will provide opportunities for students to demonstrate achievement of the outcomes and to satisfactorily complete the units of their studies. The school will make judgement on a satisfactory completion of each unit.

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

A key element of our Learning and Teaching Charter is a commitment to the inclusion of contemporary educational technologies that have an impact on student learning. As a result of integrating select technologies and IT curriculums, we provide specialised facilities and a diverse range of digital resources that are utilised at every year level.

Students are expected to adhere to the Digital Technologies Acceptable Usage Policy which they have signed. This policy outlines expected behaviour relating to bullying, harassment, care of the equipment they use and the services the College provides. A copy of the policy can be obtained from the IT Department.

Every student is expected to provide a laptop computer for use at school and at home to enhance their opportunities for learning, increasing personal resilience and extending learning beyond the classroom. An extensive suite of software resources together with high-speed Internet access as well as strategic support for appropriate management of laptops at home and school is provided by the College.

The IT department is available for assistance in the LRC during recess and lunch or by emailing helpdesk@msj.vic.edu.au

VCE ASSESSMENT STANDARDS

Assessment of School Assessed Coursework or School Assessed Tasks

Note: Please refer to the College’s VCE Policy Handbook for more detailed information.

The achievement of a learning outcome or the completion of a school assessed coursework or school assessed tasks requires that:

• The work has met the required standard

• The work was submitted on time

• The work was clearly the student’s own

• There has been no substantive breach of rules.

If all of the learning outcomes are achieved, the student receives S for the unit.

All work should be submitted on time. Extensions may be sought for legitimate reasons, as long as it is before the due date. There may also be other reasons for extensions granted due to special circumstances.

Link to: VCE/VM subject selection handbook

Link to: VCAA VCE/VM Study Guide

VCE GENERAL ACHIEVEMENT TEST (GAT)

All students enrolled in one or more sequences of Units 3 and 4 must sit for the General Achievement Test (GAT). This is scheduled for June.

Link to: VCAA GAT 

VCE SPECIAL PROVISION

Students who are affected by illness (physical or psychological), by a disability or impairment (including learning disabilities) or by factors relating to their personal circumstances are eligible to apply for special provision. If a student believes they have grounds to apply for special provision they must talk to the VCE/VM Leader first. The final decision on special provision remains at the discretion of the VCAA.

VCE ATTENDANCE POLICY

Please refer to the College’s VCE policy handbook for information about attendance requirements in VCE.

VCE EXAMINATIONS

The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority decide the timing of the examinations. Special arrangements can be made for students with ‘three exam’ days.

All students undertaking a unit 3 and 4 will receive a copy of ‘VCAA Navigator’ which has the timetable, a set of rules and the standing instructions under which the examinations are conducted. Breaches of these rules can result in penalties ranging from a reprimand, to a cancellation of all of the student’s assessments for the year. If a student is ill during an examination period, she must contact the VCE Leader as soon as possible.

Link to: VCAA Exam Navigator 2023 (Check for 2024 update)

EXAMINATIONS

In order to prepare our students thoroughly for the rigours of VCE and Tertiary assessment, it is important that they develop skills in preparing for and participating in written examinations. The examination structure from Years 8 through to 12 has been designed to gradually build up students to be able to manage a full load of exams in Years 11 and 12. Students in Year 8 complete two exams in Semester 2. Students in Year 9 complete two exams in Semester 1 and three exams in Semester 2. Students in Year 10 will complete five at the end of Semesters 1 & 2 for English, Humanities, Mathematics, Religion & Science. Students in Years 11 and 12 will complete examinations for all subjects.

in preparation for the final year 12 examinations, trial examinations are held on the September term break. These examinations are assessed and results are reportedto students and families, with the results also determining the revision programs required.

HOME STUDY

This policy aims to set out some guidelines for the development of effective use of Learning and Study habits in the College. Independent Learning serves as an intellectual discipline, establishing study habits and reinforcing the work that has been done in school. It fosters student initiative, independence and responsibility in addition to bringing home life and school life closer together.

STUDY TIMETABLE

RECOMMENDED HOMEWORK SCHEDULES

Year 7: 1 hour minimum per night

Year 8: 1.5 hours minimum per night

Year 9: 1.5 hours minimum per night

Year 10: 2 hours minimum per night 

Year 11: 2 – 2.5 hours minimum per night

Year 12:  2.5 – 3 hours hours minimum per night

WORK SUBMISSION – YEARS 7 TO 10

All students must strive to submit work that demonstrates their learning and gain feedback so that achievable goals can be set, and improvements gained. Prior to the task deadline, teachers will make clear (on CANVAS) the assessment details. These will be discussed in class and parents will be informed of the same details.

Assessment tasks are generally completed in class with teacher guidance so that the College resources are well-utilised, giving each student support to demonstrate the skills acquired, the knowledge gained and an understanding of the subject matter. All work must be presented and completed to the best of each student’s ability.

In the event that work is not presented to an acceptable level, or the student is absent, then the task must be re-submitted whilst attending an after-school session, known as “Assessment Redemption”. If deadlines cannot be met, then an extension is to be sought prior to the due date. Extensions will be approved if the appropriate parental documentation is provided. Times will be negotiated with between the parent, student and the teacher.