Senior School Report

Congratulations

Atar Singh has just completed Year 12 VCE Units 3 & 4 Maths Methods. An amazing achievement for a Year 10 student. Atar has worked independently and consistently throughout the last 2 years to complete the course. He has taken a relaxed and methodical approach to his studies. His home school teacher communicated with him via Zoom sessions, with assessment tasks being run by staff at ECSC. An outstanding achievement for a young man. Atar will continue with the Virtual School in 2022, studying Specialist Maths Units 1 & 2.

Australian Defence Force Awards

Future Innovator Award

Congratulations to Atar Singh. Atar has received the award for his commitment towards achieving excellence in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). A financial incentive is awarded to support further studies. Well done!

Long Tan Leadership Award

Presented to Jovan Antony for leadership contribution to the College as House Leader. Jovan has consistently supported promoting student voice in the College. He has organised lunchtime activities, advocated for student events and supported House activities. Financial support from the ADF is included. Congratulations.

Student Voice and Agency

The Year 10 House Leaders met regularly during remote learning to organise a competition following the postponement of the lunchtime soccer. We trialled the 'Remote Learning Challenge' with Year 10 students. This involved students completing a range of tasks including: carrying out random acts of kindness, completing some gardening tasks at home, communicating with a family member they don't see often etc. We were pleased to award Layne Dellevergini the prize of a $ 30 Gift Card. Well done!

The team are currently producing a video encouraging students to 'Respect the school grounds' assisting in keeping the yard clean by putting my rubbish in the bin. Josh, Jovan, Batool, Layne, Shah'd and Ryan are working together on this project. They plan to launch a Challenge for students from Years 7 - 9 for 2 other vouchers.

Josh, Shah'd, Batool, Layne and Ryan (director!)

Lunchtime Soccer

The House Leaders have organised a lunchtime soccer competition for Year 7 boys and girls. After many interruptions (remote learning!!) we began playing on Wednesday.

Year 10 Human Body in Motion

George in action working with his human body in motion class outside testing their skills in projectile motion! Students used bean bags and hoops to demonstrate motion and accuracy.

Careers & Pathways

The Senior school team comprised of George, and Angela and I are continuing to work alongside the students with their teacher to finalising the most appropriate course options for students, based aspirations and learning disposition. Students have used the google form to request changes to their original subject preferences. The school will continue to ensure Parents and Carers are informed of any changes.

Exams, Step-Up into year 11 & VET Orientation Day

Year 10 Exams

The year 10 examination period will start on Friday 25 of November with their English exam and will run until the 30 November, the exams will be conducted in line with the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authorities format for year 12 VCE, however the school will also be making adjustment such as enabling students to bring in limited hand written notes etc in recognition of the disruptions to learning program caused by Covid-19 and remote learning.

All year 10 students will attend and assembly on 20th November which will outline the exam expectation, the format of each exam, what they can bring etc. We will also post information via Compass to parents and students closer to the date.

Please note: All students are expected to be in attendance in full school uniform for the exams or this may impact on their chosen academic pathway.

Step-up into Year 11

All year 10 students will complete their year 10 studies in week 9, on 30 November and will commence their studies of the year 11 Curriculum during the Step-Up into Year 11 program.

The Step-Up program will include the follow:

Each year 11 student will commence their studies in year 11, with all students making a start in each of their subjects during this week.
VCAA expectations including:
- VCAA rules & requirements units 1 & 2
- School Assessed Course (SACs) rules & processes
- Attendance
- Homework
- Behavioural expectations (non-negotiable)
- Overview of the Student & Carer Agreement 2022
Each year 11 subject will include the following:
- An Introduction to the subject
- Course Outline setting out the learning sequence
- Draft SAC/VCAL assessment calendar for the subject
- Text resource requirements (students in VCE must purchase digital texts) Further information regarding the booklist will be made available in late November.
- Set reading and homework for holidays & week one 2022
- Vocabulary processes & associated task

VET Orientation Day

We are very please to be able to announce the opportunity for our 2022 VCAL students to visit the campus of the two external providers who will deliver the VET (Vocation Education & Training) subjects such as Automotive, Creative Industries, and Hospitality to our students as part of the VCAL program. The students will have the opportunity to attend an Orientation Visit to the campuses, which will enable use to introduced our students to VET leaders, at both Peter Lalor Vocational College and Outer Northern Trade Training Centre (ONTTC). The students will make their own way to campus (Please see Compass permission for further information) Students will explore Campuses, undertake some introductory activities and participate in a Welcome BBQ arranged solely for our students. Please note only the VCAL students will have the opportunity to attend the VET Orientation Day.

Structure Workplace Learning

The VCAL students will be introduce to Structure Workplace learning (SWL) is an integral part of Step-up program at the college and we are excited to announce that the Local Learning Employment Network CEO Kim Stradmiller and her team will join our students her onsite to get our students off to great start for 2022. Our student will make a start on identify employers with whom they could undertake this critical component of their program.

Structured Workplace Learning (SWL) is a valuable opportunity for a VCAL student to integrate on-the-job training with their VET program. Participating in SWL is NOT a compulsory part of the VCAL, however it is highly recommended.

VCAL students may undertake SWL to demonstrate achievement or competence in some or all of the learning outcomes in the VCAL Work Related Skills and Personal Development Skills units of their VCAL certificate. Evidence to demonstrate that learning outcome/s have been met through a SWL must be collected and assessed by the VCAL provider.

Some VCE VET programs have a mandated SWL component. The SWL requirements are expressed in hours and weeks and are expected to be carried out over the duration of the VCE VET programs.

SWL provides the context for:

enhanced skill development
practical application of industry knowledge
assessment of units of competency
achievement of some learning outcomes for VCAL units
enhanced employment opportunities.

Head Start Program

We are excited to announce that Peter Evan the Cluster Director of the Head Start - North East Region will join us and our VCAL students to explore the option to undertake an Apprenticeship or Traineeship whilst at School that can become a full time program when the student leaves School. A workshop program will be conducted as part of the VCAL Orientation program. Peter will outline the wide range of options open to our VCAL students and explain some of the myths associated with Trade School vs University

School leavers interested in learning a trade but discouraged by society’s bias toward university are encouraged to genuinely compare the two options. When it comes to employability, cost and earning potential, a trade option often can come out on top.

An apprenticeship, on the other hand, is paid for by the employer so the apprentice can graduate without debt.

They also earn while they learn unlike with a university degree, during which students must rely on parents or work part time on top of study.

Studying at university might seem like a wise career move, but the reality is many graduates are finishing their degrees with a large HECS debt and losing out financially compared with school leavers who embarked on a trade.

A report into vocational education and training (VET) found that from 2008 – 2014 a bachelor’s degrees graduate in full time employment fell from 82% to 68%. Meanwhile in contrast 78% of VET graduates were employed after training and 82% of apprenticeship graduates had found job after training.

It is important to study something you enjoy or else the motivation, drive and passion for the subject/ trade will burn out. Whether you decide to study or go into a trade, true success comes down to the individual’s personal motivation.