Later Years
Term Break Homework and Revision
The term break provides the opportunity for important leisure, rest and family time; however, it is also important for our VCE students in particular to continue their study habits and a study routine to consolidate their knowledge and skills in preparation for Term 2 and their upcoming assessment tasks.
Students need to complete their set term break homework tasks and home study/revision. Students must ensure all notes, chapter summaries and other tasks are fully completed and that they revise the topics that were covered during Term One. VCE students should review the key knowledge and key skills of the outcomes studied thus far with a particular focus on the areas they found more challenging and need more practice on. The key knowledge and skills for each VCE study have been provided by teachers and are also available from:
https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/curriculum/vce/vce-study-designs/Pages/vce-study-designs.aspx
Year 12 and Year 11 students studying a VCE Units 3 & 4 subject can also start looking at VCE end of year exam questions. Students can access past exams (and examiner reports) and look through these for questions based on the outcomes that they have already completed.
Past exam papers can be accessed from: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/vce-assessment/past-examinations/Pages/Index.aspx
Reminder of the evidence requirements for missed VCE SACs (School-assessed Coursework)
Students who are absent on the day of a VCE SAC must produce a medical certificate from a medical practitioner that shows they were unfit for school and this must be submitted to the Later Years Administrator Assistant on their return to school.
In the case of absence due to Covid: If students are absent on the day of a SAC for COVID related reasons, i.e. COVID related symptoms, testing positive or they are a close contact and must isolate, students must provide one of the following:
· Communication from DHHS indicating the student’s positive result such as a text message, email or formal communication from DHHS
· Self-report to the Department of Health via the COVID-19 Positive Rapid Antigen Test Self-Reporting Form
· Medical certificate from their GP
· Parent approved absence on Compass for a 5-day period
Resources for parents
1. Andrew Fuller is a clinical psychologist who is renowned for his work in the wellbeing of young people and their families. His website contains a number of excellent free resources for parents/carers, including articles on ‘How parents can help students in the senior years of school’, ‘How to increase your marks’ and ‘From can’t do to can do’. See https://andrewfuller.com.au/free-resources/#parents
2. Parentline is a phone service for parents and carers requiring support with their children up to the age of 18 years old. They offer confidential and anonymous counselling and support on parenting issues. Their qualified counsellors can be contacted on 13 22 89 and are available to talk about any issues to do with parenting and parent-child relationships. They can also connect parents/carers with services in their local area. More information is available from https://services.dffh.vic.gov.au/parentline
Mr Tony Stirling and Mr David Black
Later Years Leaders
Year 12 News
Year 12 has started with a mix of nerves for the seriousness of our final year and excitement for the fun times ahead.
We had the swimming carnival late February which was an awesome day of perfect weather and fun costumes! It was really great to see so many Year 12s dressed up on the day, and too, for our first themed dress day—‘Mix Match Fits’. See photos
Naturally, this year may be stressful, so for everyone anxious about SACs and the increased workload, keep in contact with your teachers and friends, and always know that wellbeing is available if you need someone to talk to.
We’re looking forward to experiencing all that comes with being in year 12, like formal, Springfest, Valedictory, and for most of us, turning 18! Here’s to enjoying the year free of lockdowns and taking every opportunity to learn and further our good relationships with our teachers and peers!
ALSO, a heads up that our next year 12 themed dress day is ‘Pyjama Day’.
From the Year 12 captains :)
Year 11 - Term 1 2022
With the end of Term 1 in near sight and being back at school for a whole term without any interruptions, the transition for students going into VCE has been one of the many challenges that we have had to face. While there has been a lot of uncertainty with the pandemic and having jumped from face - to - face learning to remote learning multiple times over the last couple of years, it has made the transition to VCE that little bit more difficult. Going into VCE is already intimidating so the pandemic has definitely not helped. The jump from year 10 to year 11, with the last two years we have had to deal with, has been a struggle for many.
VCE is very different from the rest of the year 7-10 curriculum. There is a massive jump in the workload, expectations and assessments. Many of us didn’t realise just how different it would be and how much more time we have to put in. While in previous years we would get CAI’s, in VCE we get SAC’s and SAT’s which hold a lot more weight. Keeping on top of all of your work has been a challenge, especially for those who have been away with Covid for a week. Most students are still adapting to the differences of VCE and they are always striving to improve in their learning. Many of the teachers are always helping us understand the content and giving us advice on how to study more efficiently as well as using the developmental rubrics as a form of feedback so we know where we are for each new topic and outcome.
One of the best things about being back to face to face learning and hopefully having a somewhat normal year is being able to see everyone. Teachers are finding face to face teaching so much easier to keep students on task and keep them motivated. Everyone gets to socialise and see their friends. We also get to start looking forward to camps and excursions again since a lot of them were cancelled over the last 2 years due to the pandemic.
During VCAL this year we have had the opportunity to make new friends and memories that will last with us for a while. In Work related skills this year we have made a board game that includes questions that would help year 7’s learn about OH&S (Occupational Health and Safety). By partaking in this assignment we got to work with different people in our class brainstorm as a group and listen to each other with respect. We have had the lucky experience to work in a classroom this year with restrictions slowly reducing and being able to communicate together as one class and not over the screen of our laptops. In the last couple of weeks we were able to make a walk that we would be able to do using walks Victoria. We researched and planned every bit of our walk to see if it was practical and inclusive to everyone’s needs. In the same class we have started to do an assignment on our own geocache that we have hidden around the school in small groups. We have cryptic codes that we use to try and find everyones.
In maths we have been learning about statistics and probability with a workbook that is fun for everyone, (even if you don't like maths!) as well doing a term assignment about Numeracy Investigation and how Covid has affected our life in the Business side of things. These are all things that we will use in the future and have been lucky enough to be included in this year.
In English everyone has done a project on people that they think is extraordinary, this could be a football player, a gymnast, a comedian, or someone that has just gone through something hard in their life and they are still here sharing their story. Every week someone presents this to our class explaining why they think they are extraordinary, we all listen and ask questions at the end if we need to.
One of the activities we are most excited for as Year 11’s is the upcoming Northern Territory Tour. It is something that the students have been looking forward to and we can’t wait to create lifelong memories with our friends and teachers.
Finally, whilst the transition into VCE has been a big jump, the support from our teachers has been amazing and we would like to thank them for helping us navigate our way through Term 1.
Year 11 Captains
Chrystin Gosios
Zarak Durrani
Lucinda Poutet
Lachlan Howard
VCAL Captain
Rachael Megee
Benn Pollock
Year 11 Year Level Leader