Director of Studies 

Remote Learning

Thank you to all our families for supporting our students through remote learning this term. There will be many lessons learnt from this exceptional period both positive and negative. It is important that we identify the beneficial skills, attitudes or behaviours that we have developed and continue to build these into our future practice.

The return to onsite learning will bring a different experience for each student. The CECV outlines 3 priorities for the term for all Victorian Catholic Schools

Priority 1 – Wellbeing and Equity

The wellbeing, and particularly the mental health, of every student and member of staff is the highest priority. This means encouraging and sustaining motivation for learning, re-engaging students and families where needed, and supporting the social and emotional learning of children and young people alongside curriculum-based learning.

Priority 2 – Learning and Excellence

Some students have been better able to progress in their learning in the remote and flexible learning environment, others have maintained their rate of progress, and some have, despite their best efforts and those of their families and teachers, fallen behind.

Schools will need to adapt their teaching and learning programs in Term 4 to be responsive to student needs.

Priority 3 - Transitions

Term 4 is a critical period, particularly for the children moving from from Grade 6 into Year 7, and those in Year 12 moving into employment or further education and training. A key focus of Term 4 will be to make every effort to ensure each of these end-of-year and beginning-of-year transitions occurs as successfully as possible.

If you have any concerns regarding your child’s return onsite, please contact the relevant Year Level Coordinator.

Year 12 students

I would like to take this opportunity to specifically acknowledge the work undertaken by our Year 12 students during this challenging time. You have all developed your independence, organisation and perseverance – skills that will support you well beyond school. On behalf of our community, I wish you all well for your final assessments/exams.

Trial Exams Unit 3/4

Due to the extension of remote learning into Term 4, the common trial exam period has been cancelled to ensure all students can maximise their time with their teacher prior to final assessments. Trial exams will be conducted in classes through a variety of formats depending upon students’ readiness and areas of focus.

Insight Assessment Platform             (past 2019 VCAA Exam online service)

In support of schools delivering remotely during the course of 2020, the VCAA is in the process of developing a new set of resources to assist teachers to prepare their students for external assessment.

The 2019 VCE Written Examinations will become progressively available on the Insight Assessment platform (Insight), commencing in September 2020. The Platform is a web-based application that enables assessments to be delivered to students online. Access to these examinations on the Platform will assist teachers and students to identify any real or perceived gaps in learning that can then be addressed as part of their examination preparation.

As of 7/09/20 the following exams are available; English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Psychology, Health and Human Development, Physical Education, Accounting, Food Studies, Religion and Society. 

Student Access (only students studying Units 3/4 and if their subjects have become available to date)

1. URL: https://vce.linkitau.com/student
2. the Insight Log In screen will appear
3. Username: VCAA Student Number
4. Password: VCAA Student Number

Student user guide

https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Documents/insightplatform/StudentUserGuide.pdf

Accessing all past VCAA exams

Other past VCAA exams and examiners reports are still available on the VCAA website;

https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/vce-assessment/past-examinations/Pages/index.aspx

As an additional resource, students can check out the VCAA NHT (Northern Hemisphere Timetable) editions via; https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/vce-assessment/past-examinations/NHT-past-exams/Pages/NHT-past-exams.aspx

Please obtain guidance from your teachers on which exams and questions are most relevant to the current 2020 adjusted study design.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Year 11 & 12 Parent Teacher Interviews 

Senior student interviews were held virtually last night. The traditional PAM booking system continued with additional links to teacher Google Meets on the interview schedule.

All Year 11 & 12 families are encouraged to provide feedback on the Parent Teacher interviews (whether you attended or not). Please access the following link to provide your feedback https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/parentteacherinterviewssurvey by Friday 9th October. This information will be used to inform arrangements for the 7-10 interviews next term.

Year 7-10 Parent Teacher Interviews

Following feedback from the Year 11 & 12 interviews, arrangements for the 7-10 will be published to families early next term. In the interim, families are encouraged to view their child’s progress to date via PAM.

2021 Subject Selections

The Year 9-12 subject selections have now concluded and are currently being processed for next year. All students will receive confirmation of their subjects during Term 4.

Thank you for your assistance in this process while remote.

2021 VET Applications – Years 9 - 11 students to check emails

Due to the extension of remote learning into Term 4. All current Year 9 students interested in undertaking a VET subject or current Year 10 & 11 students who have submitted VET on their subject selection forms, will have received an email this week to indicate their specific area of VET. 

This information will assist us in providing indicative numbers to our VET providers and does not confirm a position in the course. Students are still required to submit their VET application form with parent signature in the first week back on site next term (Week 2).

Yvette Colquhoun

Director of Studies