Senior School Update

Assistant Principal's Update

Laura Higgins

Hello all!

As we wrap up another huge term in the Senior School, I am delighted to share with you some of the exciting activities and achievements our students have been engaged in over the past few months. It has been a term filled with exploration, learning opportunities, and important decision-making processes as our students prepare for their future pathways.

One of the highlights of this term was the Year 11 and 12 Urban Camp to the city. Our students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the vibrant culture of Melbourne, leaning right into everything tertiary study, TAFE, ghost tour, billiards, ice skating, laser tag and snack related! This camp not only fostered such a lovely sense of community among our senior students but also provided them with excitement for the adventure that a life post-school holds for them! Thank you so much for the work of Mr Nolan here – it was such a brilliant experience for the kids!

Connect Education, worked closely with our Year 12 English students. Through the expertise and guidance of presenter Elijah, our students were able to enhance their language and literary skills, preparing them for the challenges of their upcoming exams and ensuring their readiness for their final unit of secondary school English ever.

Our Year 10 Humanities students had an enriching experience with the Western Port Biosphere team. They actively participated in conservation efforts, contributing to the preservation of our local environment. Additionally, they visited the HMAS Cerberus History Museum, gaining valuable insights into our naval history. These experiences fostered a deeper understanding of our connection to the natural world and the significance of preserving our heritage.

The VCAL and VM students embarked on an exciting adventure to the Melbourne Zoo. This trip provided an opportunity for our students to connect with the community and will discover the strategies Zoos Victoria utilises to engage visitors in their conservation projects. This includes identifying roles and responsibilities, which they can then take back to school to implement, evaluate and continue to contribute to helping local wildlife.  Students also applied their learnings from their Work Related Skills class, discovering all of the different occupations within a Zoo and the skills and qualifications required for a zoo career.

We are also proud to share the success of our Year 11 and 12 VCE students in the ABCN 'Interviews to Impress’ program. This program, designed to enhance employability skills, has empowered our students to showcase their talents and abilities in job interviews. Through this initiative, our students have gained valuable insights into the professional world, further preparing them for their future careers.

Furthermore, our Year 11 and 12 students exhibited their determination and resilience as they completed the General Achievement Test (GAT). This assessment serves as an important milestone in their academic journey, and we commend their hard work and dedication in facing this challenge.

As we look towards the future, we began our course counselling process information evening, dedicated to exploring the three excellent pathways available at Senior School in 2024 – the VCE, the VCE VM & the VPC. This event allowed students and their families to gain comprehensive information about these pathways and make informed decisions about their academic pursuits. In conjunction with this, we hosted the Western Port Senior Pathways Expo, where students had the opportunity to explore various education, employment, and apprenticeship options available to them. I want to highlight that students have been sent their pathway options through Compass and should have selected their subjects for 2024. Should any students or families require assistance or further guidance, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Senior School team. We are here to support you every step of the way.

I wish you all a well-deserved break and look forward to another wonderful term ahead.