Senior School Report 

End of the academic year

It is hard to believe that I am saying we are reaching the end of the academic year for our Year 12 cohort already. After a disrupted 2020 and 2021 it has been great to get through the academic year without any remote learning and allow our Year 12 students the chance to get that crucial classroom learning in person rather than through a computer screen. While classes are now moving to the exam preparation there is still a lot to do before that final announcement of ‘pens down’ is given and students leave the exam room for the last time.

I cannot strongly emphasise enough that students do not take their foot off the gas now. Do not finish wishing you had done more but at the same time ensure you have a balance as burning out is not going to do you any good now. Ask for trial exams and ensure you use every resource from the VCAA’s website as there is a wealth of information there. 

There will be holiday revision classes during the first week of the holidays. As there are two public holidays next week the school will only be open Monday to Wednesday. Again, I strongly encourage students to attend any holiday classes organised to get the best possible result in the exam.

Excursions

The Senior students have been out and about recently gaining a broader education outside the classroom. The Year 12 Legal Studies class visited Parliament House; the Year 11 Chemistry class collected samples from local wetlands to assist with their classroom work. It is great that we can get back out and complete activities like these again, it really does broaden the student’s education.

Senior VCAL Café 

The Senior VCAL class have done a fantastic effort with the VCAL Café this year. They have run the Café with such professionalism and created some scrumptious food items and hot beverages. Friday September 9 the VCAL Café ran for the last time. Mouth watering burgers were cooked to perfection and could be washed down with tasty milkshakes. Hot beverages and cookies were also on the menu again. It has been a fantastic team effort by all students and teachers, well done everyone!!!

Later Years Diversity Dash

On Tuesday September 6 a Later Years Diversity Dash was held as the students in Year 10-12 missed out on the event earlier in the year. It was great to see the students engaging in the colour run and enjoying and celebrating the diversity that exists at Reservoir High School. The students left in clean clothing but came back with huge smiles on their faces and their clothes covered in colour. Reservoir High School is a truly diverse environment, and it was great to be able to celebrate with this event.

General Achievement Test (GAT) and Trial Exams

As mentioned at the start of this report the mindset is starting to shift towards the VCAA External Assessments. This started on Wednesday September 7 when all students completing a Unit 3 & 4 VCE and Senior VCAL study undertook the GAT. In 2022 the format of the GAT changed to test the students Literacy and Numeracy understandings but also their general achievement. The students handled the GAT with a high level of maturity and conducted themselves remarkably. They were on time to both sections and did themselves and the school proud. This mindset has continued into the following week when all Year 12 studies completed their Trial Exams which will help the students and teacher plan for Term 4 to ensure specific exam revision can take place. 

Lions Club Debating Competition

On Wednesday September 7 Jolin Liu, Teishalee Palaia and Blessmol Jose competed in the Lions Club Debating Competition Grand Final at the Olympic Hotel. After a very long day for these girls sitting the GAT, they competed against Northcote High and were victorious!! The students represented the school proudly, presenting a speech about the impact of biometric data on our every day lives. The team worked extremely well, supported by Ms. Warren and Mrs. Keaughran. Congratulations to these girls.

NBAA Business Breakfast

Mahmoud Youssef from the Year 11 VCAL program attended the NBAA Business Breakfast to be part of a panel and to share his experience in the Vocational Mentoring Exchange Program. He did a phenomenal job at presenting his thoughts and opinions to over 200 people. Well done, Mahmoud!

NMR Athletics

On a sunny day in late August students from Reservoir High School competed in the NMR Athletics Competition. Many Senior Students competed and won their events which will send them off to the state championships. The students represented the school well and achieved some outstanding results. 

Cheers Senior School Team,

Mrs. Phillips (Senior School Office Manager)

Ms. Popovski (Year 11 Coordinator)

Mrs. Gray (Year 12 Coordinator)

Ms. Lazarus (VCAL Coordinator

Mr. Sinderberry (Senior School Leader)