9-12 Community News

As we begin to enjoy the first signs of spring - warmer weather, longer days, swooping magpies - we are all hoping to see the end of the remote learning period. While we can’t look too far ahead on that front, we wish to congratulate all of the students, families and staff in the 9-12 Community for the way they have been managing themselves in this period and urge you all to continue with the positive approach that you have adopted to the challenges that we have all faced.

 

As the year progresses rapidly, there are a number of ‘landmarks’ that we continue to work towards.

 

Students who will be in Years 9 and 10 in 2021 (our current Year 8s and 9s) are indicating their choices for 2021 electives and VCE Fast Track/VET course options (for Year 10 2021 students) this week. The Electives 2021 website was launched this week and a successful Q &A session with parents was held via Zoom. Electives subject selections are due in by Monday 7th September. If students and families have any questions about any aspect of this process, please direct your questions via TA’s, who will assist you or direct your queries to those who can provide the necessary information.

 

Along with electives subjects, the 2021 VCE subject blockings are being finalised, with students meeting with our Careers Practitioner, Mrs Anderson, to select their 2021 VCE/VCAL/VET programs.  

 

Once these processes have been completed, booklists will be made available to students and families, with opportunities for the purchase/sale of second hand books to be announced in the near future.

 

VCE students continue with their coursework and assessments and many are looking ahead to their end of year Units 3/4 exams.

 

All students undertaking Units 3/4 studies will sit the General Achievement Test (GAT), at the College, on Wednesday 7th October. Details around the arrangements for the GAT will be shared with students and families in the coming weeks. In normal circumstances, a Practice GAT would be conducted at school. As we have not been able to hold this due to remote Covid-19 restrictions, students in Years 11 and 12 have been sent a Practice GAT in the mail, to be completed in a time that suits their personal circumstances.

 

For our Year 12 students, the end of their school journey is looming upon the horizon. For many, this is a time of mixed emotions: joy, stress, relief, anxiety, hope. They have many things to consider and prepare for.

 

For all of the students, they are looking to complete their various SACs or competencies, revising coursework and studying for exams. Beyond the invaluable assistance and guidance that subject teachers are providing, we encourage students to make use of the variety of resources available to them, within school and externally. The VCAA website provides past examination papers and examiners reports for each subject. The College Edrolo subscription provides access to complementary course and revision material for most of our VCE subject areas. And, through agencies such as Access Education, ACED and universities, students can access online revision lectures and resources. We encourage students to speak to their subject teachers for their recommendations on ways to enhance their study and preparations over the next stage of their academic year.

 

And, for those students wishing to apply for tertiary studies once they finish Year 12, the VTAC application process is an important point of discussion. Through their interviews with Mrs Anderson, students and families will have been through the VTAC application process.  An important aspect of this process is the SEAS (Special Entry Access Schemes) application. SEAS allows students to indicate if they have had circumstances that have had a negative impact upon their studies. Mrs Anderson will have discussed these applications with students and families and is available to provide support and answer any queries in relation to SEAS applications.

 

In relation to the impact of Covid-19 on students in Year 12, schools will be providing an assessment on the impact of the pandemic on each student in a Units 3 & 4 study.

 

If you have any question about any aspect of the details of SEAS applications or the final stages of the academic year, please contact the school.

 

Michelle Downie                                      Brad Downie

9-12 Community Leader                        9-12 Community Leader       

Wellbeing                                                   Student Learning & Professional Practice

Years 9 and 10 Food Technology 

Students have been designing special breakfast in Food Technology. Here are some photos of the preparation and final product prepared by Tori, Cooper and Chloe.