The end of Semester 1 is quickly approaching and Year 11 students have started their Unit 1 exams. The exam period is from Thursday 27 May until Friday 4 June.

There is some opportunity for students to change their Unit 1 subject and start a new subject for Unit 2.

As Year 11 is almost full, making the change might be difficult – the Senior School team will endeavour to do their best to maximise the learning opportunities for your child requesting the change.

Semester Two for all Senior Sub School students starts on Monday 7 June.

The GAT (General Achievement Test) is on Wednesday 9 June 2021. Any student who is studying a Unit 3/4 subject in 2021 (including language outside the school) is required to do the GAT this year. It will be held in school’s gymnasium. Students will receive their timetable from VCAA (Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority).

A seminar is held on Wednesday 26 May for the GAT, from 3.30pm to 4.30pm in the PAC (Performing Arts Centre). Michelle Veith is facilitating it. She has been an assessor for the GAT for over 10 years.

On Wednesday 23 June, once Year 11 students are in their Unit 2 subjects, we will host our special yearly event to celebrate “100 days of VCE/VCAL success”. This is always an exciting event. Students will be receiving awards for their academic achievements.

On Friday 11 June, all Year 12 VCE English students an English Assessment Task (SAC). This will be supervised by external VCAA accredited supervisors.

All students studying a Unit 3/4 subject at St Albans Secondary College will be their mid-year exams during the term break. The exams will start on Thursday 1 July 2021 and finish Tuesday 6 July 2021.

All mid-year exam results will be included in the Unit 3 reports for Year 12.

‘Study skills’ workshops will run with all Year 12 VCE students. Included in the workshops will be: ‘What study actually looked like for students’, ‘Study timetable’ and ‘What revision needs to consist of’. EQUAL Ed will run the workshops during students’ study periods on Tuesday 15 June and Wednesday 16 June. Hopefully this will help students start preparing for their mid-year exams.

Year 12 VCAL students were involved in a Trial GAT (General Achievement Test) on Monday 24 May.

The GAT consisted of questions that assess functional Literacy (Reading and Writing) and Numeracy skills for students preparing to leave school and enter the workforce or further education and training.

This is a new departmental requirement that will take place from 2022.

All Year 12 students, VCE and VCAL with be doing a GAT (General Achievement Test) from next year.

Again, we would like to thank parents who contact us when their child is absent for any reason. This is of great assistance to the Year Level Coordinators, as we call home regularly if there are any unexplained absences. The Case Management process continues to monitor closely the attendance, achievement and individual needs of all our students. Please contact us on 9366 2555 if you have any queries or concerns about your child.

Stav Bekiaris

Senior Sub School Leader

VCAL Report

Year 11 Community Health Advancement and Student Education (CHASE)

PHYSICAL Activity was the topic covered on Wednesday 19 May for our Year 11 students.

The goals of the lessons were to understand what motivates people to be physically active, and how it can improve health and wellbeing. Also to understand that physical activity comes in different forms, and depends on personal circumstances, preferences, and capabilities.

The main messages for students were:

Physical activity is important for overall health and wellbeing, as is developing a healthy relationship with it.
Social media can have both positive and negative impacts on health behaviours, and the reliability of its health information should be carefully assessed.
Different types of physical activity are more appropriate for different people.
Reducing daily sitting time is also important for maintaining health and wellbeing.

Students enjoyed some theory on the topic then took to the oval for some practical activities

Athletics Carnival

Year 12 VCAL students attended the Athletics carnival to assist Mr Lakovski and other staff run and record participants in events. Helpers assisted staff members to organise the smooth running of their events. A sell out BBQ and drink and snack bar were also run by the VCAL class. Some students were even able to compete in events collecting winning ribbons in events ranging from

Brimbank Careers Exploration Day

Our Year 12 VCAL students attended the Brimbank Careers Exploration on Wednesday 12 May. There were representatives from different universities, TAFEs, traineeship and apprenticeship exhibitors for students to visit and ask questions about career opportunities and pathways. Prior to the event students researched their interests and skills and were shown occupation clusters in their interest area from a survey supported by Deakin University. They then were able to list specific organisation’s to visit on the day.

IDOHOBIT Day

Monday 17 May is the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). This is a very important part of our school calendar as it is a time where we stop and celebrate diversity and call out discrimination towards members of the LGBTIQ+ community. IDAHOBIT Day is also a time where we publicly stand beside our LGBTIQ+ colleagues, mates and students with a clear message… “We stand with you!”

Year 12 VCAL students and the wellbeing team created a market day event with music, BBQ, Ice cream spiders, handmade, bracelets in the LGBTIQ+ colours and lolly bags and lucky spinning wheel outside agencies and the wellbeing team gave out information and badges as well as face painting and provided a photo booth.

1st Keilor Village Scouts Group

On Tuesday 18 May Year 12 VCAL Scout complex project group, Jasmine Mondia, Samantha Alderman, David Nguyen, Jackson Emery, Kobe Reid and Jennifer Nguyen attended the 1st Keilor Village scout Group to complete their complex projects for VCAL Program. The group planned and organised a 2-hour educational session on bikes and road safety. “This overall experience gave us joy and pleasure by spending time with the scout members.” They have two more sessions planned in the coming weeks.

VCAL Coffee Club

Year 12 VCAL students and School captains have been providing staff barrister style coffees and hot chocolates 3 days a week. Staff feedback has been positive and profits are going to support the Breakfast club.

Laura Gough

VCAL Coordinator

New staff at St Albans Secondary College

Van Rudd