St Peter's News

Learning & Teaching News

NAPLAN

As the NAPLAN testing window for students in Years 7 and 9 draws to a close this week, senior students in Years 10-12 begin to prepare for the mid-year examination period. 

NAPLAN Reflection

Last week, students in Years 7 and 9 undertook four online NAPLAN tests. These tests assessed students’ skills in the areas of Reading, Writing, Conventions of Language and Numeracy. The test results are used by teachers to design learning and teaching strategies to facilitate student growth at an accelerated rate. The completion of these rigorous tests promoted resilience amongst the students and it was pleasing to see the students approach the tests seriously taking the opportunity to display their knowledge and achieve their own personal best. This week, those students who were absent during the initial test sessions have been asked to attend catch up sessions.     

This year, VCAA have announced that NAPLAN Certificates of Achievement are being introduced for Year 9 students. The certificates recognise Victoria’s Year 9 top achieving students in Reading and/or Numeracy. The certificates will be awarded for two categories of achievement:

  • Category One: the achievement of excellence through getting a result in the top band for reading or numeracy, or both.
  • Category Two: the achievement of outstanding learning growth through improvement by two or more bands between the NAPLAN Year 7 and Year 9 tests for reading or numeracy, or both.

The new certificates celebrate those who achieve the highest level and those who excel by making exceptional progress, irrespective of where they start. The Certificates of Achievement will be jointly signed by the Minister for Education and VCAA CEO and their introduction aims to motivate students to bring their best efforts to the NAPLAN assessments. We look forward to receiving students’ results later in the year.

Although the College encourages students to take NAPLAN seriously, these tests measure achievement on one certain day. There are many other opportunities at the College for students to display their academic abilities. For example, subject-based assessment tasks, PAT Testing and in the College extra-curricular program. 

Information about the GAT

All students undertaking VCE or VET studies in Units 3 & 4 are required to sit the GAT. The GAT or General Achievement Test will take place on Wednesday, 9 June 2021, from 10.00am-1.15pm. This is a three-hour test of students’ general knowledge and skills in the areas of:

  • written communication
  • mathematics, science and technology
  • humanities, the arts and social sciences

Year 11 students will be required to sit a trial GAT on Friday, 28 May 2021 to become familiar with the format of the GAT, the style of questions and how to approach preparing for the GAT. More information about the GAT including access to previous papers are accessible via the website https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/vce-assessment/general-achievement-test/Pages/Index.aspx 

Exam Preparation

In the last issue of the College Newsletter students were provided with the following five-steps to help them prepare for the mid-year examination period – 

  1. Prepare a study schedule
  2. Summarise your work
  3. Use flashcards to memorise content
  4. Complete practice tests
  5. Use your teachers

Parents and guardians can also assist in preparing children for the upcoming examination period.  Some examples of how you can support your child in their senior years might include – 

  • giving your child space to study 
  • let them know that you support them regardless of the outcome
  • understand their stress (stress can make people act out)
  • Be there to talk to them 
  • Draw from your own knowledge

We wish the students at St. Peter’s College all the best for their upcoming examination period.

Student Free Day – Wednesday, 9 June 2021

At the conclusion of the Examination Period, students will have a Student Free Day on Wednesday, 9 June 2021.  This is to assist teachers to conclude marking all examinations in a timely manner for the end of Semester 1 reports. 

 

 

Miss Natasha McKenzie                                            Mr David Hansen

Middle Years Curriculum Leader                        Deputy Principal – Learning & Teaching

Cranbourne Campus