Deputy Principal's Report
Term 2 – Planning, preparing, revising
While this year continues to race past us it is important to be thinking forward and preparing for the end of the year. The course work being completed in Term 2 is crucial but can often overshadow the ongoing study and revision that needs to take place to prepare for assessments and outcomes. VCE students need to be aware that they are not only striving to do their best, but are in fact competing with students at this College and from across the state for results that will secure their future pathway. For all students continuing to plan their work, to revise and consolidate their learning throughout the year, will increase the likelihood of success.
Our VCAL students are engaged in studies in selected VET Programs either at the College or at TAFE.
Selected students are also participating in mandatory work placements. These work placements are designed to enhance their applied learning programs and assist them to develop a range of employability skills.
As we move through this term the emphasis on formal assessment will increase for all students. All students are required to submit assessment tasks or SAC (School Assessed Coursework) in a timely manner that is in accordance with the expectation of the relevant teacher. Where this does not occur parents will receive written notification. It is important that all families within our community are familiar with the Student Attendance, Achievement and Promotion policy of the College. This policy outlines the minimum attendance requirements for students within each unit of study that they are engaged in and provides details regarding the requirements for students to progress from one year level to the next. The policy can be viewed on the College website – Current Students – Student Policies.
As Winter approaches motivation wanes and the pressure of the year builds. Good communication is key and it is important for the parents of students completing VCE to be aware that one of the greatest stressors for the students in the final years of their education can be parent-student relations. According to Dr. Michael Carr-Gregg (The Age, 2016) “All parents, friends and relatives of a young person (completing VCE) should worry less about the quantity of work a student is engaging in and, instead, focus much more on their emotional wellbeing”.
Deakin University agrees with this and advises parents to “Support your child to pursue their interests” and to “Offer a supportive, calm environment for study.” The key is find a healthy balance.
According to the Mission Australia Youth Survey from 2012, coping with stress and school or study problems remain major concerns for respondents. As well as managing school, many young people were also trying to cope with work, family and social commitments. The cumulative effect of these demands appears to be leaving many young people feeling besieged and struggling to cope.
From a parent’s perspective, it is best to adopt the role of the supportive bystander, eagerly cheering from the sidelines but not being a major player and to adopt the motto “I’m here to help and offer any advice I can when you need it”. Parents can ensure that students stick to the basics: making sure that they eat right, get plenty of sleep and regular exercise. Positive reinforcement is the key. When you see a good effort is being made, it is useful to praise the student for it showing them that their dedication has been noticed. It is vital to maintain an open line of communication with your son/daughter; conversations reduce the likelihood of serious misunderstandings, particularly during stressful times.
There is a huge amount of research data that states that when parents are involved in their children’s education at home, their children perform better at school. This performance is further enhanced, if there is a good relationship between teacher and parent based on mutual respect and trust.