The Score

Senior School Report

Senior School News

Upcoming Senior School Dates:

Year 10 and 11

We look forward to welcoming our Year 10 and 11 students back on-site at the college during the fourth week of Term 4. Until their return to on-site learning, the students must continue to prioritise:

  • completing their daily school attendance check-in
  • attending all of their scheduled Webex lessons
  • maintaining their study routine and following their daily school timetable to support this
  • contacting their teachers and their co-ordinator when necessary for support and guidance
  • submitting set work by the due dates
  • taking breaks and maintaining physical exercise and connections to family and friends

Year 10 and 11 Semester 2 Examinations

The Year 10 and 11 examination programs support our students to consolidate and demonstrate their subject knowledge and skills achieved during the semester and to gain crucial examination practice to be better prepared for the rigors of their future studies and subsequent examinations. 

Year 10 students will complete examinations for the subjects of English and Maths on Friday 12 November and Year 10 students studying a VCE subject, will also sit the examination for that subject.

 

Year 11 examinations are now scheduled for the period Tuesday 9 November to Friday 12 November. The Semester Two examination programs have been modified to maximise the time the students can re-engage with their teachers and their peers in classes before they go into the examination program.

 

Students must attend their examinations in full summer school uniform. Provision will be made for Year 11 students who have a VCE Units 3 and 4 exam during the Year 11 examination period.

 

The students will be informed of the examination rules and requirements prior to the program commencing. The examination rules are all based on those used for the VCAA VCE Units 3 and 4 examinations, including: 

  • No student may leave an exam room early.
  • Students must be on time for their scheduled exams.
  • No electronic devices (including smart watches) can be brought into any exam even if they are turned off. The exception is for permitted calculators in some exams.

Year 12, Units 3 and 4 (Year 12 subject) VCE Examinations

The Year 12 VCE and VCAL students have persevered during this challenging year and the end of their secondary schooling gets ever closer. It is unfortunate that this year’s Valedictory Dinner has had to be cancelled due to current pandemic restrictions. Ms Manioudakis, Year 12 Coordinator, will organise refunds for those who have paid for the event. 

 

We know this is disappointing; however, the college is planning to conduct a celebration for Year 12 students after the VCAA exams conclude (subject to health advice). It will be important to celebrate the students’ success and ensure the graduation of the Class of 2021 is formally recognised.

 

The Year 12 students completing the VCAA examinations have received the following advice for their exam preparation:

  1. Ensure 100% attendance at school to access all revision lessons and make the most of the opportunity to receive help and advice from teachers. Also, seek help from teachers during the SWOT VAC (Revision Weeks) period.
  2. Find the best available space at home to study. Find an area as free from distractions as possible, is comfortable, has enough space to spread out textbooks and notes, and has enough light.
  3. Prepare study notes/resources/mind maps covering the key knowledge and skills set out in the subjects’ Study Designs. Subject study designs are available from: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/curriculum/vce/vce-study-designs/Pages/vce-study-designs.aspx
  4. Identify the areas of your courses that you are less confident with to make time for focused study in these areas and to book a time with teachers to go through these.
  5. Draw up a revision schedule that includes revision time for all subjects. Cramming revision at the last minute before exams won’t achieve the desired results.
  6. Complete past VCAA exams and practice exams provided by teachers. Past VCAA papers can be accessed from: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/vce-assessment/past-examinations/Pages/Index.aspx
  7. Read past examination reports by chief examiners. They are a wealth of information and advice to maximise marks. See: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/vce-assessment/past-examinations/Pages/Index.aspx
  8. Avoid distractions- put phones and other distractions in another room when studying.
  9. Take adequate study breaks to ensure that when you are studying you can maintain full concentration to retain information and practice skills effectively.
  10. Drink enough water to stay hydrated, get exercise, ensure adequate sleep and maintain a healthy diet to ensure the mind and body is ready for effective revision. These will also help alleviate some of the stress and anxiety that students feel during exams.
  11. Maintain a positive mindset and avoid negative people.
  12. If revising with other students at times, plan what will be studied and plan to stay focused on a topic for an agreed amount of time. If the study group isn’t being helpful or efficient, don’t be part of it- you don’t have time to waste!

A letter from VCAA will be provided next week to update students sitting external exams on current Health Department advice. This information will cover procedures to be followed should a student be notified that they have been in contact with a known case, are diagnosed as being positive during the examination period or become ill on the day of or during an exam. 

 

Mr Tony Stirling

Head of Senior School