HIGHLIGHTS

SENIOR SCHOOL

The GAT 2020

In Week 1, Term 4 is the General Achievement Test (GAT)– Wednesday 7th October (10am-1:15pm). This is a compulsory assessment for all students who are studying any Unit 3&4 studies in 2020. The GAT will be conducted onsite at the college. 

 

This year the Victorian Government has indicated that the GAT will be used to assist in determining the degree of disadvantage endured by our senior students while studying remotely. Although we are yet to be notified by VCAA of the exact mechanism for using the GAT, I would like to impress upon all students the importance, especially this year, in completing the GAT to the very best of your ability. I strongly encourage you to complete all the multiple-choice questions thoughtfully and to address the two writing tasks fully. You should aim to use all the available time and not leave the assessment early. To assist you to prepare for the GAT the following information is available:

  1. Resources to support the 2020 General Achievement Test (GAT) are  available on the How to Complete the GAT  webpage.
  2. Sample GAT questions and past GAT papers with answers on the VCAA website https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/vce-assessment/general-achievement-test/pastGAT/Pages/index.aspx

The GAT will be held in a variety of rooms throughout the college so as to reduce the number of students who may come into close contact with each other and reduce the potential risk of transmission of COVID-19 within the examination centre. Year 12 students will be located in the Hall and a number of North corridor rooms while Year 11 and 10 students will be in the VCE Centre and North corridor rooms. Detailed seating plan information will be emailed to students at the beginning of Term 4. 

 

Temperature checks of students will be conducted on arrival at school in line with current guidance for Victorian schools. Students are strongly advised both before and after the test to maintain physical distancing of 1.5 metres between all individuals.  We will be putting arrangements in place to limit congregation of students in and around the examination rooms. Students are advised to arrive at the college no later than 9:30am to ensure that all temperature checks can be completed and students seated in the examination room just prior to 10am.

 

Face masks must be worn at all times in line with current guidance for Victorian schools. Hand sanitising will occur prior to entry to the examination. 

 

Students must ensure that they have all the required equipment for the GAT as we will not be able to loan any equipment to students including pencils. Please carefully read the relevant pages of the VCE Examinations Navigator 2020 so you are aware of the equipment required for the GAT. The link to this booklet is: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/studentguides/ExamsNavigator/Pages/index.aspx                   Hard copies of this booklet will be distributed to students on exiting the GAT and need to be kept until all final examinations are completed.

 

If a student is unable to complete the GAT due to COVID-19 

 

Every year there are some students who are unable to complete the GAT due to health issues. While the GAT plays an important part in determining final results for the VCE, if a student is unable to complete the GAT because of COVID-19, their final VCE results will be determined based on their school-based assessment and examination results as well as a range of additional data provided by the school to assist the VCAA to ensure all students receive fair and reliable results in 2020. There are established processes to ensure students receive fair results based on all assessments. If a student feels unwell or is experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, requiring them to isolate at home either before or after completing a COVID-19 test, or after testing positive to COVID-19, the student must remain at home and will not be allowed to complete the GAT. The student will be eligible to apply for an exemption. Evidence requirements for an exception include: 

  • Supporting letter/incident report from the school
  • Evidence of testing for COVID-19 (includes a Medical certificate from an independent health professional recommending testing) or direction to isolate in quarantine having been identified as a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Parents are advised to contact the school as soon as possible if their child finds themselves in this situation. 

 

If you have any questions concerning the GAT please email me at sen@brightonsc.vic.edu.au

 

GRADUATION 2020

I am pleased to announce that although we will be unable to have the usual Graduation Dinner for Year 12 students and parents this year, we will most certainly still be recognizing and acknowledging the achievements of our Year 12 Graduation Class of 2020.

 

On Thursday 29th October we will be conducting a Graduation for year 12 students at the college following the end of the last day of classes for Year 12 students. Although we will be required to follow all the COVID -19 requirements we will still be conducting speeches, presenting awards and most importantly presenting all of our 2020 Year 12 students with their BSC Graduation Certificate along with a memento from the college. 

 

Recognizing that parents will be unable to attend the Graduation and therefore take photos of this important event in their child’s educational journey, the college will also be providing all families with a photo of their son/daughter receiving their Graduation Certificate from the Principal along with their PEP group photo.

 

The Graduation will be filmed in its entirety and an edited package will made available for viewing at home where parents and students can enjoy the experience together.

 

Further details will follow at the beginning of Term 4. 

 

Kaye Sentry

Assistant Principal, Senior School.