Director of Studies

Communication

“Communication is a skill that you can learn. It’s like riding a bicycle or typing. If you’re willing to work at it, you can rapidly improve the quality of every part of your life.”

Brian Tracy – Motivational Speaker

How have you been interacting in your online classes? Have you spoken with your teacher? Asked a question in Chat? Used the private comment function on a Classwork Task? etc. 

As the quote above highlights, the more we practise the art of asking questions, the more we learn and the better we feel when we know what we need to do and how to do it. Answers to questions provide reassurance, boost confidence and give a sense of calm and focus on the task at hand. If an answer is unclear or creates more questions, be persistent and ask more – this is your brain trying to fit new knowledge and skills with existing understandings. Sometimes the puzzle piece of new information needs to be manipulated a few times before it fits. 

There are many ways to build your skills of communication in the online environment. It may appear quite overwhelming but your teachers are keen to interact with you and assist you with your learning. Our staff endeavour to be proactive and responsive to the needs of our students during this challenging time and need communication from students and parents/guardians to strengthen this learning partnership.

If students need addition assistance with their studies or the online environment across subjects, they can contact their Year Level Coordinator or Student Services studentservices@monivae.vic.edu.au for support and advice.

A list of contacts of specialist staff during the remote period can be accessed from:

and is also available in the Remote Learning Guidelines accessible on PAM Remote Learning.

PAM Homework & Assessment Update Monday 24th August – What is it?

The ‘PAM Homework & Assessment Update’ marked on the College Calendar for Monday 24th August is a flag to encourage families to access PAM and view their child’s results and feedback to date. Nominated Classwork tasks (not all learning tasks) and all major assessment tasks (those included on reports) will become available as the term progresses. This live update aims to support an active partnership between home and school and provides a reference for conversations around student learning as the year progresses.

5 Tips for Success in Remote Learning 2.0

In the Lonsdale House Assembly this week, our Deputy Principal, Mrs. Fiona Mulhall shared some practical tips for making remote learning a positive and successful experience for ourselves and everyone around us.

1. “The best teacher is your last mistake”

Reflect upon your last experience of remote learning what did or did not work well? Implement some strategies to support you e.g. create a list, set an alarm, avoid task build up and limit distractions.

2.  “Ask the question”

Sometimes we get embarrassed about asking a question but if you don’t ask, you won’t know. There are many formats to use to pose questions to your teachers. The Google Chat feature is a handy way to track conversations with individual teachers.

3. “Stop comparing yourself to others”

This experience is unique to all of us. We are all in this together but stop comparing yourself to what you think you should be doing, what your friends are doing or what you are not doing. Set some goals of what you want to achieve and then develop some steps to work towards them.

4. “It’s all about relationships – our heart, our God/spirituality, our actions, who we are as people”

Being in isolation is difficult. If you miss someone, tell them, ask them how they are going. Make them feel loved and valued. Maintain strong connections with those important people in your life and boost your mental health and wellbeing.

5. “Be kind you yourself”

Keep active, get outside to keep your mind active. Eat healthy. Acknowledge that every day won’t be fabulous. There will be good days and bad days. When a day is more challenging than other days, who are we going to contact for support? 

Subject Selections 2021 – What are your interests and skills?

(for students currently in Years 8-11)

This period is an exciting time for students as they get to investigate areas of interest and work towards developing their own unique pathway through school.

As the majority of information is presented online, it will be important for students and families to access the resources via the PAM Knowledge Banks / Subject Selections 

https://intranet.monivae.vic.edu.au/WebModules/KnowledgeBanks/ViewKnowledgeBank.aspx?KnowledgeBank=9 and discuss the options available with their current subject teachers. 

Steps for all subject selections:

1. Download the relevant application form(s) and read over to obtain an overview of the options available:

Subject Selection Form 2021 Year 9

Subject Selection Form 2021 Year 10

VET Application for Year 10 selections 2021

2021 VCE Subject Selection Planning Form

2021 VCAL Subject Selection Planning Form

2021 VET Application form (Years 11 and 12)

2. Refer to the relevant Handbook for details of specific subjects from Knowledge Banks / Subject Selections (use the ‘view Table of Contents’ menu to make navigation of the pdf easier)

2021 Monivae Middle School Handbook 

Or

2021 Monivae VCE-VCAL Handbook

3. Complete selections form, with support from subject teachers and Homeroom Teachers where required. During this process key personnel are listed for contact in the links below for specific questions/advice in addition to the resources provided.

For VCE/VCAL/VET: Who to see about what                            

For Years 9 & 10: Key staff for Middle School Curriculum

Please note: due to the second period of Remote Learning, students will not be required to obtain teacher recommendation signatures on their form(s). Students are strongly advised to ensure they have discussed their selections with subject teachers and/or specialist staff.

Return your completed Subject Selection Planning Form 2021 to the Front Office when school returns onsite. 

To finalise your selections…

4. Use your completed selections form to enter selections online via Web Preferences. All students will receive an email with their access details and instructions.

All online Selections must be made by 9am Monday 7th September (Week 9 Term 3). 

Subject Selections - an overview of each year level

Year 7 & 8 (current Grade 6 and Year 7) – no selections

In Years 7 & 8, students undertake a core program to build foundational skills and develop breath in knowledge and skills across key learning areas. Students then start to make selections for the Year 9 program based on their experiences and interests.

Year 9 (current Year 8) – students make selections in;

• Mathematics (Mainstream OR Consolidating)
• STEM – Science Technology Engineering and Maths (this takes place of a Technology subject AND Science)
• Indonesian (if students study Indo, they choose ONE less Arts and ONE less Tech)

Students order their preferences for the following and will undertake 2 subjects each semester

• Arts (Drama, Media, Music, Art, 3D Art, OR Vis Comm)
• Technology (Food, Wood OR Textiles)

The LEEP class will continue from Year 8. If there are students interested in withdrawing or entering the program, they need to contact Mr. Leon Furze lfurze@monivae.vic.edu.au

Year 10 (current Year 9) – students make selections in;

• English (English OR Advanced English)
• Mathematics (Mainstream, Consolidating OR Advanced)
• Humanities (Semester 1 Geography & Business OR Advanced Geography & Business) then (Semester 2 History & Civics OR Advanced History & Civics)
• Science/STEM OR Agricultural Science
• Indonesian (students doing Indo cannot undertake Art/Tech subjects)

Students order their preferences for the following and will undertake ONE unit EACH semester

• Arts (Drama, Media, Music, Art, 3D Art, OR Vis Comm)
• Technology (Food, Wood OR Textiles)

VET (Vocational Education & Training) – students can undertake studies in VET in addition to their Year 10 program. These are mostly 2-year programs.

VET offerings for Year 10 (at this stage) are; 

Building & Construction (HDSC), 

Engineering (Monivae), 

Automotive (HDSC), 

Hospitality (HDSC), 

Screen & Media (online/HDSC), 

Agriculture (RIST)

Further information about all of these programs is available on PAM Knowledge Banks / Subject Selections / 2021 VET 

Please note: with the current Covid situation, the landscape of VET and RTO’s is regularly changing. Students will be asked to put a submission of interest forward via a ‘VET Application Form’, then, once providers have confirmed places and costs, students will be offered a place to confirm their enrolment.

All Year 10 students undertake VCE Units 1/2 Religion and Society.

There is no LEEP class at Year 10. Students at this year level start to develop individualised programs and have the option of adding a VET study to their program.

Year 11 (current Year 10) – students make selections in

• Their senior pathway, VCE OR VCAL
• VET  (required for VCAL, optional for VET) - students continue VET studies from Year 10 to complete a certificate OR commence a new program

All Year 10 students are supported in the selections process via Year 10 Careers classes

Year 12 (current Year 11) – students make selections in

• Continuing their senior pathway (VCE / VCAL) OR seeking a change of program through the Senior School Coordinator, Mrs. Sofia Vearing and supported by the Careers Coordinator, Mr. Michael Harms
• VET  (required for VCAL, optional for VET) - most students continue VET studies from Year 11 to complete a certificate OR commence a new program

Free additional online resource for Year 12 students

Monivae College has partnered with Studyclix.com.au to avail of a Studyclix School Licence that gives full access PLUS+ accounts to all students at the school in 13 VCE subject areas. Studyclix.com.au will help students manage their own learning outside of the classroom. To upgrade for free, register/log in on www.studyclix.com.au and enter the school access code on the pricing page, which is KJJVR3

Further information to assist with accessing Studyclix is available from: 

Yvette Colquhoun

Director of Studies