The Nazarene

Learning Assistant Principal's Report

GAT: Wednesday 12 June

All Year 11 and 12 students undertaking at least one VCE Unit 3 / 4 subject must sit the General Achievement Test (GAT) on Wednesday June 12 from 10.00am – 1 .15pm. This will be held in the College Gym, with preparatory details already provided to students in the 13 May assembly. Students have been advised to maintain their regular travel time to school to ensure they are on-campus well in advance of the starting time, prepared and in a relaxed frame of mind.

 

Information about what the GAT is and how it affects student Study Scores, along with past papers is available from the VCAA website.

Study tips with ELEVATE education

Last week, we welcomed a group of committed Year 11 Nazareth parents to the Elevate Education Year 11 parent evening. These parents learnt valuable tips on how to support their learners in their senior studies, building on the presentation that Year 11 students received the previous day.  VCE Year 12 students received presentations from Elevate Education during their first week of 2019 and further presentations on effective learning will occur during Term 3.

Some of the areas covered with parents included:

  • Motivation – The importance of your child having a clear and specific goal and physically displaying this in the place that they study.
  • Study timetable – Contrary to what we may think, it is more important to enter into a study timetable the ‘enjoyable’ activities first, then look for where’re the 3 hours of home study time will fit.  What needs to change to fit these hours in?  It is important to maintain sports, part-time jobs, TV / social media, family events and social activities like parties for a healthy lifestyle.  Elevate recommended that a small whiteboard or a Google Calendar (with parent access) is ideal for the changing weeks and to enable parents to both make allowances for their child’s study needs and to enter known family events.
  • Effective study – The quantity of hours at a desk does not equate to achievement: it is the quality of what is done during that time.  Note-taking should be done as the work is done, not in the weeks before a test / SAC / examination.  The most effective form of study is completing practice papers – the importance of applying knowledge and skills and then gaining teacher feedback on where to improve or extend learning. These are available from College subject teachers in Google Drive, as well as on the Elevate Education website and the VCAA website.

Year 11 & 12 parents and students are encouraged to visit the Elevate Education website for more information and to access extra resources: ask your Year 11 or 12 student for the password provided to them in their Elevate session.

 

Mr David Broadbent

Assistant Principal - Learning