Senior School
Senior School
Key Dates:
December 2024
Monday 23, 10am: December Tertiary Offers
January 2025
Friday 10, 2pm: January Tertiary Offers
Wednesday 29: Yr 12 VCE Transition Day
Yr 8 -10 Transition Days
Over the last few of weeks of Term 4, students in Year 8, 9 and 10 have engaged in a Transition Day to help prepare them for the 2025 academic year. The purpose of these days was for students across all three year levels to reflect and celebrate 2024 and to acknowledge the significance of transitioning through Senior School. Students were introduced to the Senior School team and were provided with a clear understanding of what the expectations around learning, behaviour and attendance will be in 2025. Students worked through a range of workshops with a focus on reflection, celebration, team building activities and sessions to improve learning, assessment, and attendance requirements.
The feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive and we hope these days will set the tone and expectations for the 2025 academic year for all students across Senior School.
Year 11 into 12 Step Up program
All students undertaking a Unit 3 & 4 (Year 12) subject/s in 2024 were involved in an extensive Year 11 into 12 Step Up program. The purpose of Step up was to help maximise the learning opportunities and delivery of the Unit 3 VCE/ VM Curriculum Programs. Starting teaching Unit 3 during the Step-Up Program will enable teachers and students to spend more learning time on exam preparation and exam revision the following year, as well as increase time devoted to SAC sand SAC preparation.
Year 11 Academic Review Conferences (ARC)
It was great to see close to every Year 11 VCE and VM student attend their ARC on Friday 29 November. These student-led conferences were a great opportunity for students, their family and Explore/VM teachers to critically reflect on the learning and achievements for 2024. Students also reviewed their exam preparation and performance, as well as their overall academic school year. In addition, students set learning growth goals for Term 1 2025 based on areas of improvement and discussions during the conference.
Preparing for VCE in 2025
Year 12 Transition Day (Wed 29 January)
Year 12 students will return to school onWednesday 29 January. The Transition Day Program involves activities to help prepare students for the upcoming academic year. There is also an opportunity for our Year 12 Senior School students to be role models of the College and to assist and welcome commencing Year 7 students, the newest members of our community. Most SBAT students will start the 2025 academic year on Friday 31 January. Information regarding Transition Day and the first day for SBAT students will be communicated early next year.
Holiday homework
All Year 11 and 12 VCE, VM and VPC subject teachers have provided holiday homework to students during the recent Step Up and Transition Days. Students can reasonably be expected to have up to 3-5 hours of schoolwork to do over the holiday break for each subject.
Holiday homework must be completed and submitted on the first class for each subject upon students return to school in 2025. Failure to complete holiday homework may result in attending a learning recovery session after school.
Unit 3/4 English and General Mathematics SACs in 2025
Unit 3/4 General Mathematics SACs
In 2025, General Mathematics SACs will be held Tuesday after school in the Senior Centre. They will be held on the following dates:
SAC 1: Tuesday 1 April
SAC 2: Tuesday 3 June
SAC 3: Tuesday 5 August
SAC 4: Tuesday 16 September
Unit 3/4 English SACs
Next year, some English SACs will be held Thursday after school in the Senior Centre. Below are the dates of the English SACs in 2025.
SAC 1: Thursday 13 March
SAC 2: To be completed in class in Term 2 Weeks 2 & 3
SAC 3: To be completed Mon 26 & Tue 27 May (oral presentations)
SAC 4: Thursday 3 July
SAC 5: Thursday 4 September
Further information regarding SACs will be communicated early next year.
Missed VCE SACs
Please note that there will be changes to the timetable for rescheduled/missed School Assessed Coursework (SACs) in 2025.
There will now be two SAC reschedule sessions held on Tuesday and Thursday, after school, in F4 from 3:15pm – 4:30pm. If students miss a SAC on a Tuesday or Wednesday, students are expected to complete their missed SAC in the Thursday SAC reschedule session. If students miss a SAC on a Thursday, Friday or Monday, students are expected to complete their missed SAC in the Tuesday SAC reschedule session.
It is also important to note that students may also be required to complete missed SACs in additional time frames such as study periods, particularly if they have missed multiple SACs.
As a result, students must ensure other commitments are not organised during this time on Tuesday and Thursday after school. For example, work will not be a valid reason to miss a SAC. Attendance at SACs including completing a SAC during a reschedule in VCE is compulsory.
Unless the absence is school approved, a student who is unable to attend a SAC must produce medical evidence that shows they were unfit for school. This includes SAC reschedules. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure all medical evidence is submitted to the general office or emailed to generaloffice@wantirnacollege.vic.edu.au before they complete their SAC reschedule.
Failure to provide medical evidence (i.e., medical certificate) for missed SACs:
VCE Units 1 & 2 students who are unable to produce the medical evidence will sit the SAC as a redemption task.
VCE Units 3 & 4 students who are unable to produce the medical evidence will sit the SAC as a redemption task and cannot receive a score higher than zero for the task.
Failure to provide sufficient evidence of satisfactory completion in a redemption task can result in an N (Not Satisfactory) for the outcome, therefore an N for the unit.
If a student does not complete a redemption task at the set time and does not supply a medical certificate, they forfeit the right to the redemption process and an N (Not Satisfactory) can be awarded.
Please reach out to Ms Roper if you have any questions.
Special Provisions in 2025
Special Provision is available to students completing their VCE or VCE-VM for classroom learning, School-based Assessment and VCAA external assessments (including SACs and exams).
Some types of the special provisions include:
· rest breaks
· extra working time
· separate room
· use of headphones
Special Provision Categories for Special Provisions for assessments include:
· Mental Health Conditions
· Health impairment or physical disability
· Specific Learning Disorders
· Hearing or vision impairment
More information regarding special provisions can be found at the VCAA website HERE.
There are specific eligibility requirements to apply for Special Provision. Schools are primarily responsible for determining eligibility and the nature of the provisions granted for classroom learning and School-based Assessments.
Applying for Special Provisions for Unit 3/4 (Year 12) subjects:
Special Examination Arrangements applications are made to the VCAA through the student’s school and must be endorsed by the principal. Students will need to provide evidence from a professional (such as a GP, psychologist, paediatrician) to support their application.
Applying for Special Provisions for Unit 1/2 (Year 11) subjects:
Students studying 1/2 subjects can apply for special provisions and will also be required to provide evidence from a professional (such as a GP, psychologist, paediatrician). Such applications will be considered by the school to align with the eligibility requirements of the VCAA.
Students who were approved special provisions for a 1/2 subject or 3/4 subject in 2024 will receive an e-mail within the next week regarding applying for special provisions through VCAA in 2025.
New students interested in applying for special provisions need to speak to Ms Roper at the beginning of Term 1 in 2025.
All documentation to apply for Special Provisions must be completed by the end of Term 1 2025.
The entire Senior School Team wish all students and their families an enjoyable, safe and restful holiday break.
David Black
Assistant Principal