Senior School Report

Upcoming Senior School Dates:

Monday 26 October - Year 10 return to on-site learning.
Tuesday 27 October - Year 12 last day.
Monday 2 November to Friday 13 November - Unit 2 (Year 11 subject) VCE Exams
Tuesday 10 November - Units 3 and 4 (Year 12 subject) VCE Written exams begin. Timetable: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/administration/Key-dates/Pages/VCE-exam-timetable.aspx
Monday 16 November to Thursday 26 November - Year 11 and 12 (2021) Head Start Program

Year 10

We look forward to welcoming the Year 10 students back on-site at the College on Monday 26 October. The College has made the decision that Year 10 subject exams will be cancelled for Semester 2 2020 to ensure students can have as many lessons as possible with their subject teachers on their return to school. Year 10 students studying a VCE Unit 2 subject will be required to complete the Unit 2 exam in November. Until the Year 10 students return to school, they should prioritise the following during remote learning:

completing their daily school attendance check-in.
maintaining a study routine and following their daily school timetable to support this.
making contact with their teachers and their co-ordinator, Mr Santos, when necessary for support and guidance.
submitting set work by the due dates.
taking breaks and maintaining physical exercise and connections to family and friends.

Unit 2 (Year 11 subject) VCE Exams

Year 11 VCE examinations will be conducted from Monday 2 November to Friday 13 November at the College. Students are required to be at school when they have a scheduled exam. Students must attend in full summer school uniform. The exams contribute to the students’ Year 11 VCE results. Provision will be made for Year 11 students who have a VCE Units 3 and 4 exam during the Year 11 exam period.

All students will be expected to follow correct exam procedures as specified by the VCAA, including:

No student may leave an exam room early.
Students must be on time for their scheduled exams.
No electronic devices can be brought into any exam even if they are turned off. The exception is for permitted calculators in some exams.

Year 12 and Units 3 and 4 (Year 12 subject) VCE Exams

The Year 12s have persevered during this challenging year and the end of their secondary schooling gets ever closer. It is so unfortunate that this year’s Valedictory Dinner had to be cancelled due to the pandemic restrictions and that parents are unable to attend the College to participate in celebrating with the Year 12 students. Please be assured that the College is doing everything within the current rules to ensure the Year 12 students are able to celebrate their success and that the College will organise an event in the future for students, parents and college staff to celebrate the graduation of the Class of 2020.

The Year 12 students completing the exams received the following advice this week for their exam preparation:

Ensure 100% attendance at school to access all revision lessons and make the most of the opportunity to receive help and advice from teachers. Also, seek help from teachers during the SWOT VAC (Revision Weeks) period.
Find the best available space at home to study. Find an area as free from distractions as possible, is comfortable, has enough space to spread out textbooks and notes, and has enough light.
Prepare study notes/resources / mind maps covering the key knowledge and skills set out in the Adjusted Study Designs for 2020. Subject study designs are available from: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/curriculum/vce/vce-study-designs/Pages/vce-study-designs.aspx
Identify the areas of your courses that you are less confident with to make time for focused study in these areas and to book a time with teachers to go through these.
Draw up a revision schedule that includes revision time for all subjects. Cramming revision at the last minute before exams won’t achieve the desired results.
Complete past VCAA exams and practice exams provided by teachers. Past VCAA papers can be accessed from: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/vce-assessment/past-examinations/Pages/Index.aspxImportant Note: As the Study Designs were adjusted in 2020 due to the pandemic, past exams will contain some questions not being assessed in 2020.
Read past examination reports by chief examiners. They are a wealth of information and advice to maximise marks. See: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/vce-assessment/past-examinations/Pages/Index.aspx
Avoid distractions- put phones and other distractions in another room when studying.
Take adequate study breaks to ensure that when you are studying you can maintain full concentration to retain information and practice skills effectively.
Drink enough water to stay hydrated, get exercise, ensure adequate sleep and maintain a healthy diet to ensure the mind and body is ready for effective revision. These will also help alleviate some of the stress and anxiety that students feel during exams.
Maintain a positive mindset and avoid negative people.
If revising with other students at times, plan what will be studied and plan to stay focused on a topic for an agreed amount of time. If the study group isn’t being helpful or efficient, don’t be part of it- you don’t have time to waste!

Travelling to and from schools/venues for essential assessments

The Victorian Chief Health Officer has endorsed the 2020 onsite delivery of VCE external assessments with health and safety controls in place. This means:

Students are able to leave their premises to undertake essential VCE and VCAL assessments onsite. This includes VCE performance and Languages oral examinations and VCE written examinations.
Parents / carers can transport their student to and from the venue in a private vehicle to undertake their essential assessment.
If it is not possible to use a private vehicle, public transport may be used by the student to travel to and from their assessment.

Mr Tony Stirling

Head of Senior School