Koonung Secondary College Newsletter

Senior School 

 

Senior School update

 

It has been a busy start to Term 2 as students quickly move to the closing stages of Semester One. 

 

Our VCE Unit 3/4 students attended and have been inspired by various Top Acts, Top Arts, Top Designs and Top Screen displays while VM students have undertaken a range of events that have furthered their learning. Additionally, Year 11 students were afforded the opportunity to attend the VCE and Career's Expo at the Convention Centre; providing them with the invaluable experience of engaging with a vast array of career pathways. 

 

Please be mindful of the following key dates for Term 2: 

17 June: The GAT  

10 – 20 June: Year 11 and 10 Exams (weeks 8 and 9)

23 June: Unit 2 starts 

23 - 27 June: Year 10 Work Experience.  

3 July: VCE Formal 

4 July: Last day of term 

 

The General Achievement Test will take place on 17 June. All students completing Unit 3/4 subjects must sit the entire GAT while Year 12 VCE-VM must sit the first section. This assessment can influence the end of year results and safeguards against unforeseen circumstances during exams; it's important students prepare diligently and resources will be provided over the coming weeks. 

 

Concluding the term in style, the VCE Formal will be take place on 3 July at Vogue Ballroom in Blackburn. Further information about the ticket prices and specific details will be published on Compass. Year 12 coordinator Ms Hanslow has already started to lead the eager formal committee in preparation for this event.

Finally, the Year 10 and 11 exams will begin on 10 June and run for two weeks. 

Students are reminded to: 

  • Be conscientious in preparing for the exams and develop habits that will allow for success later. This includes planning ahead and revising content in advance. 

  • Arrive to the senior area 15 minutes prior to the exam starting. 

  • It is mandatory that students attend all exams. Please contact Allana Edgell in the office if your child is unwell. 

  • Academic uniform is to be worn. 

Year 10 students will begin work experience the following week. A big thank you to the careers team who have done significant work to ensure all students receive placements for a week in the workforce - please ensure that Safe at Work documentation has been completed. 

 

The Senior School team encourages all of our wonderful Year 10, 11 and 12 students to keep up the excellent work you are doing this term in all areas: your studies and classwork, your extracurricular work, and your interpersonal and social life at school and home. It has been pleasing to hear such positive feedback of the diligence our senior students are displaying. 

 

We continue to reinforce the importance of attendance and being proactive in completing all classwork in preparation for assessments. Please reach out to the Senior School if you have any questions or concerns for your child. 

 

The 2025 Senior School team is your primary contact for you regarding any  matters relating to your child in Years 10-12. 

Chris McKay

Head of Senior School

 

Koonung wins Legal Studies Mock Trial 

 

The Year 11 Legal Studies classes went to Swinburne University on Monday the 28 April, to participate in two criminal mock trials against Aquinas College and Tintern Grammar. The Mock Trial, State of Victoria v Smith, was a case of vandalism of a mural at an arts festival and was taken from University-level competition materials. 

 

In the first trial of the day, Mr Yuen’s class ran a successful defence of the accused against Aquinas College, securing a verdict of not guilty. James Kamenev and Fraser Markham presented compelling opening and closing statements for the team, whilst barristers (Olivia Wong, Bianca So, Damian Zampella and Victor Azubel) demonstrated their sound understanding of the rules of evidence, obtaining key concessions from prosecution witnesses. The role of the judge was played by Senior Lecturer at Swinburne Law School, Dr Mitchell Adams, who was most impressed with the confidence and preparedness of our students, remarking that they performed better than some of his graduate students. 

 

In the second trial, Koonung was pitted against Tintern Grammar as the prosecution, a much more difficult proposition given the requirement to prove guilt ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’. Despite that, Mr Sheehan’s class were undeterred! After a strong opening statement by Ethan Haidar, Matthew Rogers and Lucas Christodoulou, the cross-examination barristers, did an excellent job of depicting the accused as unreliable and highlighted contradictions in the various testimonies. Christos Konstantinou, concisely summed up the case, while Jessica Iglewski and Hamish Elliot were very calm in examining the prosecution witnesses.  Thanks to Elliot Field and Liam Evans who acted as the prosecution witnesses and withstood a withering cross-examination from the Tintern barristers.

 

Despite the more challenging position faced by the prosecution, the judge found that the case presented by Koonung provided compelling evidence of ‘guilt beyond a reasonable doubt’. He was particularly impressed by the ability of the Koonung team to think on their feet and adapt their questions when unexpected responses were received during witnesses’ testimonies. Koonung was also praised for raising many objections which were largely sustained and were highly effective in disrupting the defence case. 

 

Both classes were also treated to an extensive tour of Swinburne’s Hawthorn Campus and a seminar about possible future pathways. Overall, the mock trial experience highlighted the academic excellence of our school, defeating both private schools whilst showcasing our values of excellence, endeavour, respect, resilience, collaboration and creativity.

 

Mock trial 1 Aquinas College v Koonung
Mock Trial 2 Koonung v Tintern Grammar
Tour of Swinburne Campus
Mock trial 1 Aquinas College v Koonung
Mock Trial 2 Koonung v Tintern Grammar
Tour of Swinburne Campus

 

Warren Yuen 

Legal Studies Teacher 

 

 

 

 

2025 Senior School Parent Information Evening