IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Newsletter Survey
We would love to hear your thoughts about our College newsletter!
Our Administration Team have created this short Survey, which should only take a couple of minutes to complete.
We try to put as many engaging and informative articles in each fortnight and would love to hear what you find interesting and would like to see more of in future editions!
Thank you,
Administration Team
Year 7 - 10 Video Conferencing
After the successful implementation of video conferencing with our VCE and VCAL classes, Years 7 – 10 will commence video conferencing in the coming weeks. This will allow students to interact with their classroom teacher and peers. Students will be able pose questions prior to the session so that conferences are efficient and support student needs.
Schedules will be sent to Compass emails to confirm times and how to access video conferencing, so please check these for further information during week 5.
Year 12 VCE & VCAL Update
The General Achievement Test (GAT), which is completed by every student enrolled in a Unit 3/4 subject, will be held in October or November, rather than June. End of year exams for Unit 3/4 subjects will also be later this year, with them being held no earlier than December. These dates are still to be confirmed and will be dependent on the status of restrictions in Victoria. As soon as information regarding these dates becomes available it will be communicated with students and families.
Many Year 12 VCE students are concerned about what the impact of COVID-19 will be on them and their future. Study scores will still be available for students enrolled in Unit 3/4 subjects. Study scores (which are scores out of 50) reflect each student’s relative position, in relation to all other students in that study that year. This year, top performing students will, for example, receive the same results as top performing students in any other year. Similarly, ATARs will still be available for this year’s VCE students, however, it is possible that they won’t be available until early 2021 if exams are deferred until December. Tertiary institutions have committed to ensuring that 2020 school leavers are able to commence tertiary studies next year.
Late last week the VCAA has released details of changes to Unit 4 study designs. Content has been removed from all studies, with the intention of reducing the burden on students who have been engaged in remote learning this term. Along with this, Unit 3 timelines have been extended so that Unit 3 now does not end until the end of this term. This year’s exams will cover the amended study designs and are expected to be of a similar length to what exams have been previously, however, specific details about exams are still to come.
Unit 1 and 3 assessment tasks will continue while students are engaged in remote learning, with all students being reminded of the VCAA rules, as well as agreeing that the work they submit for assessment is their own. Teachers have adapted assessment tasks specifically for use in remote learning and feedback from students who have already engaged in these tasks has been positive.
The VCAA has also approved attendance on site for small groups of students who need to complete practical tasks as part of their Unit 3 assessment. These small groups will still be subject to social distancing requirements, and arrangements for these classes are currently being made.
VCAA has committed that no students will be disadvantaged this year and have procedures in place for Special Provision. As communicated last term, students with diagnosed learning needs can apply for Special Examination Arrangements; the deadline for this has been extended so please contact Kathryn O’Neill (Assistant Principal) at Kathryn.ONeill@education.vic.gov.au if your application is still to be completed. Furthermore, VCAA’s Derived Examination Scores process is available to students who experience adverse events in their lives immediately prior to their exams.
There are no changes to the VCAL program, however, VCAL students will also be expected to attend school for a longer period than in previous years, in line with VCE students. While work placements are currently postponed, VCAL students are concentrating on theory requirements of the course and the VCAA anticipates that work placements will occur during Term 4. It is likely that VCAL certificates will be awarded late for this year’s students, likely being finalised in early 2021.
Change to Staff Email Addresses
Please note that staff have recently experienced migration to a new email address provided by The Department of Education (DET). This will now end in @education.vic.gov.au, instead of the previous @edumail.vic.gov.au.
Any emails sent to old email addresses will still arrive in the new inbox, but please make note or save these new emails as staff communicate with you for ease of transition to the new system.
Staff will still have their SCSC Gmails that they use to communicate with students.
There is no change to student emails.
Coronavirus Resources
For the latest updates and information from the Department of Education https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/department/Pages/coronavirus.aspx
For the latest updates from the Department of Health and Human Services
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
For the latest updates from the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
State Schools' Relief
The State Schools' Relief fund is also supporting schools by offering assistance in to access the below materials, at this stage only for VCE students, with the priority being Year 12's. We believe that most people in our community have had their needs met that have been shared with us, but if you are currently on a Health Care Card and/or receive the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) please contact me at Erin.Wright@education.vic.gov.au and I can assist with placing an application for these resources on your behalf. Please advise me before Friday May 15th if you think that you are in need and qualify.
Support packages being offered by State Schools' Relief
The offerings to students in need are as follows:
- Lenovo 11E laptops (in line with DET specifications). Applications for these devices will only be received for students who do not have access to a device
- Internet USBs with 50GB of data per month (for 3 months). Applications for these USBs will only be received for students who have no access to home internet or have not received school-based assistance already
- Study packages comprising of a desk and chair (suitable for secondary students)
- Standard stationery packages for secondary students