Learning & Teaching News

We acknowledge the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Owners of the land on which we gather and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge the vitality of our planet and the responsibility for all to care for it and all its inhabitants. We recognise that this land has always been a place of teaching and learning and we make a commitment to work towards reconciliation and justice for all Australians.

Open Season for 2022 Open Days

Why Attend an Open Day? 

Visiting an Australian university, TAFE, or college on one of the student Open Days or information events is an excellent opportunity to get the answers to all the questions you have about your future study plans. 

For Year 11 and Year 12 students, Open Days are important because they are designed to help form connections to your goals during and after high school. Students in Year 9 and Year 10 are actively encouraged to attend Open Days as it is a great way to start thinking about the many study options available as they move through their academic careers. 

Become Familiar with the Campus

An Open Day is a great way for you to get a feel for a place that could become your home away from home for the next few years. Some university campuses can be large and scary places until you get to know them. Even a small, unfamiliar college can be intimidating until you visit and step inside. "Getting To Know You" can be your theme song as you visit somewhere new at an Open Day or info event.

Consider The Location and Travel

The location of a university or college relative to the student will determine travel times, modes of travel, and even housing if the student needs to move away from the family to attend. A slightly more appealing university or course on the other side of the city which requires a 2 hour trip each way might not be as good overall as something slightly less appealing but only 30 to 40 minutes away from where the student lives. Students can use the Open Day and info events to consider how the location, travel, living arrangements, and costs might impact on their study choices.

Gather Information

An Open Day or info event is the perfect time to find out about:

     - Degrees, diplomas, programs

     - Study options and pathways

     - Types of courses on offer

     - Alternative pathways

     - VCE prerequisites

     - Accelerated course options

     - Scholarships

     - Accommodation and living costs

     - Clubs and societies 

     - Student life and facilities

     - Campus Tours

     - And much, much more

Talk to People

An Open Day is a great time to talk to:

     - Current and past students

     - Academic and administrative staff

Experience and Enjoy

You can also experience and enjoy:

     - Lectures and demonstrations

     - Interactive and immersive activities

     - Live music and performers

     - Barbeques, food trucks and other food

     - Freebies! (an Open Day essential)

Adapted from The Australian Education Network https://www.openday.com.au/faq/why-go-to-an-open-day.html

2022 MGSE Careers in Teaching Expo 

On Thursday 27 July, Deputy Principal of Learning and Teaching, Mr David Hansen, and Acting Learning and Teaching Pedagogical Coach, Mrs Jade Smith, attended the Melbourne School of Graduate Education Careers in Teaching Expo to represent St Peter’s College. 

The Careers in Teaching Expo is an opportunity for teacher candidates from Melbourne University to engage with industry experts and schools from around Australia.

It was a fantastic opportunity to meet with future graduates and share the St Peter’s College message of leading in faith, guiding with love, and inspiring through learning. 

We met a variety of pre-graduate teachers and welcomed them to consider St Peter’s College as they embark on their journey towards securing employment in 2023. At this time of significant teacher shortages throughout Victoria, we want parents to know that we are doing all we can to continue to attract and recruit quality teachers for 2023.

Subject Selection

Subject selections have now officially closed

For any issues related to the late submission of preferences or other related problems, students should contact their House Leader for guidance. 

Accelerated Subjects

Any Year 9 and 10 students wanting to do an accelerated subject in 2023 should have attended an information session outlining the application and interview process with our Senior Years Curriculum Leaders. Absentees will need to reach out to Ms Carlisle or Mr Mitchell for clarification about their options moving forward. 

General Achievement Test (GAT) 2022

What is the GAT? 

The General Achievement Test (GAT) is a test of general knowledge and skills including communication, mathematics, science and technology, the arts, humanities, and social sciences taken by students in the course of completing their senior secondary studies.

Sitting the GAT is an opportunity to demonstrate literacy and numeracy skills – essential skills that show students are ready to move on to further study, training, or employment. 

GAT results are also important for checking that VCE external assessments and school-based assessments have been accurately and fairly assessed and can be used if you have a Derived Examination Score (DES) approved. 

The GAT will take place on Wednesday 7 September in two parts:

• Section A assesses skills in literacy (reading and writing) and numeracy.
• Section B assesses general knowledge and skills in mathematics, science, technology, the arts and humanities.

Who is required to sit the GAT? 

• Scored and non-scored Unit 3/4 VCE students must sit Part A & B of the GAT
• Senior VCAL students must sit Part A of the GAT
• Scored unit 3/4 VET students must sit Part A & B of the GAT

What should students bring? 

• Students sitting the GAT may take an English and/or bilingual printed dictionary into both sections of the GAT, but not a thesaurus or a combined thesaurus-dictionary. 
• Electronic dictionaries are not permitted. A scientific calculator is permitted in both sections of the GAT. 
• Students will need pens, pencils and an eraser to complete the GAT

How can students prepare for the GAT?

There is no need to do any specific revision to prepare for the GAT. The questions on the GAT are based on areas of academics that have already been covered in previous classes or through lived experiences. 

There are some sample questions and past GAT papers available at: vcaa.vic.edu.au/gat 

For any general questions, concerns surrounding additional support, or queries regarding special examination arrangements, please contact Ms Alice Carlisle (Cranbourne Campus) or Mr Andrew Mitchell (Clyde North Campus)

Adapted from VCAA GAT Student Information via :

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day

Thursday, 4 August, was National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day

All Australians have the opportunity to show their support for Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander children, as well as learn about the crucial impact that culture, family, and community play in the life of every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child. 

Children’s Day has been annually recognised since 1988 and is the initiative of SNAICC – National Voice for our Children. This year’s theme is ‘My Dreaming, My Future.’

“Every child is born into a story. That story comes from their family’s history and ancestral connections. The Dreaming. That child must then shape that story into their own. Through created opportunities, whilst finding their place within family, community, and in society. Their Future.” SNAICC staff member

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are born into stories of their family, culture, and Country. They carry with them the song lines of their ancestors and culture, passed down by generations. Their Dreaming is part of our history, while their futures are their own to shape.

This Children’s Day, they are asking our children what Dreaming means to them, learning how they interpret this in their lives and identity and hearing what their aspirations are for the future.

In honour of this day, consider watching an episode of the high acclaimed docuseries Back to Nature, which is available on ABC iView, and encourage conversations about the themes that the series presents to the audience. 

Back To Nature is a visually stunning 8-part documentary series. Well-known actor Aaron Pedersen and bestselling writer Holly Ringland – yearning to reconnect with nature themselves – take us on a journey into the deep interconnectedness between human beings and the landscape, exploring unfamiliar stories involving mystery, geology, history, traditional Indigenous knowledge and natural science. Throughout the series, as Holly and Aaron journey deeper into an understanding of our land’s unique story, they bring all of us into a greater understanding of ourselves, our history, and our place in the natural world.

Adapted from August Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Newsletter - Ms Fiona McKenna

SIS Teen Chef Competition

On Thursday, 12 August, Ms Carol Whimpey took four Year 10 students to St Margaret’s Grammar, Berwick. Our students confessed to Ms Whimpey to be quite nervous and feeling out of their depth as they prepared to compete against nine other schools. It is a common experience for St. Peter’s College teachers to have to remind our students just how good they really are.  The following students received a silver medal in the competition and were commended for their excellent culinary skills:

Paige Campbell

Kristan Conde

Stacy Ndlovu

Isabelle Inati

Congratulations to these students and their inspiring teacher, Ms Whimpey.

Mr David Hansen                                                         Ms Jade Smith

Deputy Principal – Learning & Teaching        Acting Learning & Teaching 

                                                                                              Pedagogical Coach - Cranbourne