Senior School Report  

The Senior school team would like to take the opportunity to welcome all parents of Year 11 & 12 students to the Senior School. We have had an excellent start to the new school year and our new Year 11 students have had a smooth transition into the Sub School.

Students are already showing excellent promise with the timely completion of the holiday homework, set for all classes during the Orientation Program in 2015. There has been an impressive commitment from students and staff to get right down to business, setting the tone for a solid year’s work. 

Our Year 12 Parent Information Evening was held on Thursday 4th February and we are proud to announce that we had over 300 parents and students in attendance. Thank you to all parents and students who attended a very informative evening, which focused on strategies available to parents to support their students throughout Year 12.

The Year 12 Study Camp was held on Thursday 11th and Friday 12th of February at University College on the grounds of the University of Melbourne, Parkville.  VCE and VCAL students experienced a variety of presentations from some prominent speakers, including the best-selling Australian author Archie Fusillio, Tania Sacco from Youth Now, and a number of our own staff presenting on a variety of topics.

English staff members Michelle Veith and Nicole Carbonaro presented a most interactive session on how to excel in Year 12 English. 

 A session on tips for Studying and How to prepare for year 12 was presented by our Assistant Curriculum Coordinator Scott Faulkner. Our School Nurse Nicky Collins-Smith also presented a important session on sexual health and wellbeing. The schools MIPs team presented a lecture on pathways taken by the 2015 Year 12 VCE and VCAL students, and the options for further study once students finish their secondary schooling. Information provided included an outline of the university pre-results selection options - “PPP” and “SNAP” programs - and the various scholarships for which our students can apply. Students were also presented with a valuable session on how to prepare for and succeed in the GAT three hour examination in June. 

We have a very active and committed group of students working with our SRC this year. The School Captains Christopher Mabiala and Caroline Vo along with Vice Captains Annie Pham and Warkaw Admassu, made a presentation to  our Year 11 and Year 12 Assemblies on January 28th and 29th. 

Our Year 11 Assembly focussed on Goal Setting for our students who are joining the senior school. The Year 12 Assembly also focused on goal setting, as students begin their final year of schooling. We have a number of events planned for the year to motivate and engage the imagination of our senior students. Our “Whole New World” presentation by Sonja Carras will be on Monday 22nd February. Sonja’s thought provoking presentation, will focus on teenagers staying safe while partying, this is always received with enthusiasm by students and staff alike. 

In Term 2 we will have an assembly to celebrate “100 days of VCE/VCAL success”, with speakers including our alumni students sharing their successes. Later in the year the Senior Sub-School Team plans to invite a motivational speaker to address the Year 11s, while the Year 12s will have a Motivational Pizza lunch. Additionally in 2015, Study Skills programs for both Year 11 & 12 students will be provided. The “Stretch Program” will be running again this year, and a selection of Year 11 students will be required to attend. Letters to advise of participation in this program will be sent home and parent signatures will be required. Stretch focuses on Study Skills, Time Management and Organisation. The Year 11 and 12 “High Achievers Study Groups” will also run this year. Year 12 enrichment programs have run for the last few years. In the background, throughout the year, we will conduct our Case Management Initiative to ensure that the attendance, achievement and individual needs of all our students are monitored closely. Interim Reports for all Year 11 and Year 12 students will be available by Week 7.

Parents will also have the opportunity to speak to teachers on Wednesday 23rd March during the Parent Interviews. Practice Exams will be running for all Year 12 students during the Term 3 holidays. The Coordinators look forward to a fast-paced year in the Senior Sub-School and hope to meet many parents of our senior students as the year progresses. Please contact us on 9366. 2555 if you have any queries or concerns about the progress of your child.