Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning

Dear Families,

As we make our way into the fourth week of Term 1, I provide some information about learning programs and activities for 2022.

Senior Studies

In 2021, the Victorian Government announced that the VCAL as it currently delivered would be phased out and replaced with a Vocational VCE program. This new program will be introduced in 2023 – however some changes are being made in 2022 in preparation. From the VCAA website, the information outlines the first key changes we will see: all students in Year 12, whether in VCE, VCE Unscored programs or VCAL, will sit the GAT.

The GAT in 2022

The GAT is changing.

From 2023 we will be transitioning the VCE and VCAL to a new integrated senior secondary certificate. As part of the reform of the VCE and VCAL system, Victorian senior secondary students will this year have their literacy and numeracy skills measured against new standards in a reformed GAT.

The new standards will indicate whether students have demonstrated the literacy and numeracy skills typically expected of someone completing their secondary schooling – giving another indication of their readiness to move onto further education, training or employment

The 2022 GAT will be held on Wednesday 7 September. The slightly later test date provides the time required to ensure the revised GAT is valid and reliable, and for teachers and students to understand the changes – with the test expected to return to its traditional June date from 2023.

The reformed GAT follows a comprehensive review conducted by the VCAA. It will see Victoria join other jurisdictions who already incorporate literacy and numeracy standards as part of their senior secondary reporting. The GAT will provide specific information on each student's key skills for life beyond school.

As further information becomes available, it will be communicated to students and their families.

Allwell Learning Assessments

The College has for many years had each new student undertake these assessments in Grade 6. These are used by the College to plan for learning programs to be delivered to students. Due to the pandemic, our current year 7 students were unable to undertake these assessments in 2021. On Monday 21 February all Year 7 students and all new year 8-10 students will complete these assessments. Parents will be provided with feedback on these assessments.

Excursions

We have started to plan for excursions in 2022 – we look forward to offering our students more opportunities to take part in extra-curricular and off site learning activities.

Study Skills Handbook

The College has once again subscribed to the Study Skills Handbook in 2022. Please see the information that is included at the end of this newsletter. This handbook has many hints and activities for students to work on their approaches to studying. Throughout the year we will provide hints and advice about study skills for students in all year levels.

The website is https://www.studyskillshandbook.com.au/

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