Assistant Principal News
Introduction to Senior School Pathways - 2023 Year 9 Students
Dear Year 9 parents/guardians,
As you will all be aware, students in Year 9 will start to make some significant choices about their future Senior School pathways. With this in mind, all Year 9 students were addressed this week at their year level assembly to discuss the importance of their studies this year and the impact that their efforts and achievements will have on their choices for next year.
We specifically explored with students the criteria that they will have to meet if they would like to undertake a VCE subject in Year 10. In addition, their Year 9 Maths results and Science results will also inform the Maths and Science pathways open to them in Year 10. These early discussions have taken place so that students understand the impact their semester 1 results will have on these choices.
The criteria for a VCE accelerated subject in Year 10 is as follows:
- Excellent Academic Results (This will include Year 8 Cycles 1-6 and most importantly Cycles 1-3 in Year 9)
- 80+ across Cycles 1-3 in Year 9 in the subject area where a student wishes to accelerate.
- 80+ across Cycles 1-3 in Year 9 in four other related subjects including English.
** Please note that other Year 8 subject data may also be referred to as part of this process.
- Work Practices – Attitude and Effort on cycle reports will also be taken into consideration.
- Attendance - a minimum of 90% attendance, excluding approved absences.
Decisions will be based on the extent to which the criteria have been met, as well as the number of places available. Year 11 students will always have priority placement in a Year 11 subject.
At the assembly the common misconception with students that undertaking an accelerated VCE subject will allow students to have a reduced Year 12 workload was addressed. This is not the case. Students will still be expected to complete 5 studies in Year 12. The extra subject completed simply allows for students to have a bonus subject for their ATAR calculation.
Students will be provided with further information and guidelines regarding course selections and VCE acceleration applications late in Term 2. This will be followed by extensive course counselling for every student early in Term 3.
2023 NAPLAN Testing Schedule
As communicated to students and families earlier in the term, the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) for Years 7 and 9 students will be delivered online next week between Wednesday 15 March and Monday 27 March.
Catch up tests will be scheduled for individual students who are absent on test days up to and including Monday 27 March 2023.
Students are asked to make sure that they arrive punctually for each of the test sessions. They are required to bring headphones for the Language Conventions test. Headphones are also optional for the Writing and Numeracy tests.
The testing schedule is:
| Wednesday 15 March | Writing (42 min test)
Year 7: Period 1 (Extended period) Year 9: Period 3 (Extended period)
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| Thursday 16 March | Reading (65 min test)
Year 7: Period 1&2 Year 9: Period 3 &4
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| Friday 17 March | Conventions of Language (45 min test)
Year 9: Period 1 (Extended period) Year 7: Period 3 (Extended period)
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| Monday 20 March | Numeracy (65 min test)
Year 9: Period 1&2 Year 7: Period 3 &4
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Students have all been familiarised with the online platform. Students and families can gain further familiarisation with the online platform via this link: https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site
Further information can be found in the brochure to parents as attached.
Karen Boyle
Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning