From the Deputy Principal ELC-12

SACE and Subject Information Evening

Thank you to all the parents, students and staff for attending the 2017 SACE and Subject Information Evening that was held on Monday 14 August 2017. The evening provided current Year 10 and 11 families with information relating to:

The labour market
Employer expectations and what young people need to compete for a job
The SACE
VET in SACE
University Entry Requirements
TAFESA Course Admission Requirements
Tertiary Presentations
- University of Adelaide
- University of South Australia
- Flinders University
- TAFESA
Edval Webchoice
Subject Selection Process

The subject information exchange provided students with the opportunity to discuss subjects with Curriculum Leaders and the Year 12 Subject Teachers. A package of information was distributed that included the relevant Subject Selection Form, SATAC Publications, University Publications and EDVAL Webchoice Access Guide to assist students in their discernment regarding possible careers and subject choices.

For those students and parents who did not attend the 2017 SACE and Subject Information Evening, their son will need to collect the package of information and the EDVAL Webchoice Information Form that has your personal login code, from their Head of House.

A survey will be distributed, in the next edition of our newsletter, to students and families as part of our commitment to continually improving our programs and services to the community. We will collate the results of that survey to inform the outline of the evening for 2018.

Reminder that the Course Counselling session for Year 11 and Year 12 students in 2018, is scheduled for Tuesday 22 August, 2.00pm to 7.00pm and Tuesday 29 August, 2017, 2.00pm to 6.00pm in the Hallinan Library. It will provide students with an opportunity for a more detailed discussion about subject selections in relation to career pathways and students will also enter their subject choices online through EDVAL Webchoice. EDVAL Webchoice is an online system designed to capture student subject selections, which are validated according to curriculum rules. The online system captures both primary and reserve preferences in priority order and students can login at any time from home to change their selections. All final online subject choices must be submitted by Week 6, Thursday 31 August 2017. After this date, any subject changes must be submitted to the Senior Student Services and Pathways Coordinator, Mrs Daniela Piteo and is subject to approval by the Deputy Principal ELC -12, Mrs Anna Mirasgentis.

Year 7, 8 and 9 students in 2017 will be supported through their key classes and a letter has been given to your son with the 2018 Curriculum Package. The EDVAL Webchoice online subject selection will be completed with the Key Teachers during Week 5. It is important that families return their completed and signed Subject Selection Form and the printed EDVAL Webchoice form by no later than Thursday 7 September 2017.

Students can login at any time from home to change their selections right up to Thursday 7 September 2017. If any changes are made a new EDVAL Webchoice Receipt needs to be printed and submitted to your son’s Key Teacher.

To support you with the Subject Selections please refer to the 2018 Curriculum Handbook found on the school website http://www.bps.sa.edu.au/learning/curriculum-handbook

Curriculum Handbook

The 2018 Curriculum Handbook is available on the school’s website and assists students in making choices which will broaden and deepen their educational experience. Subject selection is very important in shaping future pathways and links between school, further study and the world of work. The information has been prepared to assist students and families in considering the range of course options available to students at Blackfriars Priory School.

Young people have the power to change the world through study pathways that will prepare them for their vocation. A learning journey that engages their hearts and minds to become self-directed learners, compassionate leaders and responsible and active citizens in our community.

Education is no longer about preparing students for a specific career, it is about teaching students lifelong values, discipline, and the ability to explore new ideas and to think independently. Students need to develop their creativity, be able to think strategically, communicate astutely, collaborate and apply creative algorithms to address complex problems, as these skills will help them drive and empower their own careers in a competitive global marketplace.

21st century skills that are required today need to be learnt through a curriculum which is interdisciplinary, integrated and project-based. At Blackfriars Priory School, in conjunction with our teaching professionalism, we offer our support and encouragement to the boys on their journey to become men of faith and integrity, and people of hope, working for a positive future.

We wish all students success as they map their pathway through to the SACE and we pray that they achieve their full potential.

If you have any questions regarding the information contained in the 2018 Curriculum Handbook, please feel welcome to ask the relevant staff for assistance.

SATAC Presentation to all Current Year 12 Students

The Year 12 SATAC presentation outlining the SATAC application process and selection rules for University and TAFESA courses was held on Wednesday 16 August 2017. Students were provided with information and a package of resources to support them to make informed decisions regarding their future pathways. The SATAC website has been updated and Mrs Piteo and I will demonstrate to students how to navigate the new SATAC website so students are familiar with the site and are aware of the application process and the changes for 2018.

Mrs Piteo and I will offer support to students with the SATAC application process and the information we have put together has been distributed to all current Year 12 students which will facilitate discussions and empower students to take an active role in making decisions and planning for the next stage of their life.

Scaling

Every SACE subject is unique; it has its own curriculum, learning goals and assessment criteria. The average level of ability of students will often vary from one subject to another, and this will impact on the overall pattern of marks awarded in each subject. These factors mean that a straight comparison of subject raw scores can be misleading.

SACE results cannot be used directly in the selection process for university or TAFE SA courses. A mathematical process called scaling must first be used to ensure that results obtained in different subjects can be directly compared. The results must also be converted to numerical values to allow a university aggregate to be calculated.

SATAC has produced a 10-minute video to explain the scaling process and tertiary selection.

http://www.satac.edu.au/scaling

Parent, Student, Teacher Learning Conversations

Student, Parent, Teacher Learning Conversations will be held for Reception to Year 12 students on Wednesday 6 September 2017. Reception to Year 6 conversations will be held in your son’s Primary classroom from 2.00pm to 8.00pm and Year 7 to Year 12 conversations will be held in the Fr John Neill Gymnasium from 2.00pm to 8.00pm. All students will be dismissed at 1.00pm on this day and Out of School Hours Care facilities will be available for Primary School children.

EDVAL Interviews will be used to manage the bookings for the learning conversations, and it will operate in schedule mode to allow you to book specific times so that your schedule can be printed straight away. We encourage you to book your times as soon as possible, otherwise, if left to the last minute your schedule may be spread over a long period of time.

EDVAL Interviews can be used from any computer or mobile device that can be connected to the Internet at any time during the day or night. Alternatively, if you do not have access to the Internet, please ring the school during office hours from 9.00am to 3.30pm on 8169 3965 from Wednesday 23 August to have your bookings entered for you.

EDVAL Interviews will be open for you to make bookings from 9:00am on Wednesday 23 August 2017, until 10:00pm on Monday 4 September 2017.

It is an expectation that students attend the interviews and lead the conversation about their learning. Primary and Middle School students will be prepared for this process in the days leading up to the learning conversations.

All students are expected to wear their winter or sports uniform.

Staff Retreat Day

On Friday 1 September the staff of Blackfriars Priory School will participate in a staff Retreat Day. Fr Matthew Boland will facilitate the day.

This is a pupil free day, however, Out of School Hours Care will be available for those families that require use of this service.

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