Teaching and Learning

In a recent article in the Sydney Morning Herald (30/8/20) Michael Spence, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney shared a simple message with current year 12 students:

‘The ATAR can’t take into account all the things you are learning about life and the world in which we are living. There are many things more important than the ATAR can capture, and every parent (and I would add teacher) is proud of each student.’

The media has been awash with debate and discussion about the ATAR and how the future of our class of 2020 will be impacted by COVID 19 and restrictions. Equally our politicians and Edu-Gurus have been exchanging ideas about NAPLAN and whether the National benchmark testing has merit in education in a post pandemic environment. We can become distracted by these important acronyms that define the education landscape. For the uninitiated ATAR, Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, is not a score out of 100 – it is a rank. It shows a student's achievement in relation to other students. The VCAA, the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, is a statutory authority of the Government of Victoria responsible for the provision of curriculum and assessment programs for students in Victoria, and they are responsible for overseeing the VCE.  NAPLAN, the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy, is a series of tests focused on basic skills that are administered annually to Australian students and it is one of the big tests, up against the likes of PISA, the Programme for International Student Assessment which is a worldwide study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in member and non-member nations intended to evaluate educational systems by measuring 15-year-old school pupils' scholastic performance on mathematics, science, and reading. But in all of these midyear conversations about the impact of the coronavirus, lockdowns, continuous remote learning, disrupted schooling, and the general feeling of chaos there is something that remains the same.  There is something that we can control. Our students at The Hamilton and Alexandra College continue to learn how to put our College values into action. And I think this is what the Vice-Chancellor hinted at, when he suggested the ATAR could not capture everything our Year 12 students have achieved.

Respect – Our students are exemplary in their respect for the history and traditions of our College and the young men and women who have served the school and worked hard to uphold an excellent education for future generations.

Gratitude – Each student is genuine in their thanks for the big and small things in their daily learning. As teachers we experience this every day because our students say thank you at the end of each class, in recognition for the hard work and expertise that goes into each learning encounter.

Compassion – Our students have compassion for each other and for the wider world. Our students, like young people around the globe are grieving for their friends because restrictions mean that they cannot connect face to face with those they love. But they are aware that there are others who are doing it harder and tougher than they are. They care about those young people who are vulnerable.

Resilience – College students learn from failure, continue to persevere even when it is hard. We see this on the sporting field, in the classroom, in tough coaching conversations. Our students are working to be resilient and push against the uncertainty that dares to change the landscape.

Optimism – In mindset and attitude, in words and actions, we see our College students bringing hope and positivity to their learning and to all of life. 

Regardless of whether our politicians will keep or abolish the ATAR, or reimagine NAPLAN, the current COVID 19 crisis offers all of our students the opportunity to make a mark on the world and really define themselves: to become strong, creative, collaborative and agile students, who have gained a wide variety of 21st Century competencies that will prepare them for a confident future.

Mrs Susan Bradbeer

Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning

VCE - GAT Preparation Sessions

All Year 11 & 12 students who are studying a Unit 3&4 subject are required to attend GAT Preparation Sessions over the next three Thursday afternoons via Teams.

Thursday 3rd September (2.30pm to 3.30pm)

Thursday 10th September (2.30pm to 3.30pm)

Thursday 17th September (time tbc).

These sessions will provide important information regarding the format and rules of the GAT and students will also receive valuable advice as how to approach each section of the paper.

Students have been sent the 2020 VCE Exams Navigator and should familiarise themselves with the VCAA rules and approved materials that can be brought into the GAT.

Free Virtual Science Event - The Surfing Scientist

Ruben Meerman, “The Surfing Scientist” will be live-streaming a fabulous interactive science show.  The session will be lively and interactive and a terrific opportunity for something fun during remote learning! 

Ruben Meerman is an Australian scientist, educator, author, and public speaker with 25 years experience in recharging enthusiasm for sciences and mathematics. He visits over 100 schools annually and has appeared on Australian television shows.  Students and teachers of all ages are enthralled by Ruben’s demonstrations, humour and knowledge.

He will be presenting some spectacular and thought-provoking demonstrations, along with some simple and safe experiments that students can do at home, or do with their teachers during remote learning.

Friday 4th September from 9.30am to 11am. The session will also be recorded and available to watch anytime until Friday 11 September.

Further details can be found on the website:

https://www.swtafe.edu.au/dif?mc_cid=f96a9e3ec2&mc_eid=5fff3dd8dd

Mrs Rebekah Bonnett

Head of VCE Studies and Head of Science