The Score

Senior School Report

College Captains News 

Year 12 students are now deep into their studies learning the key knowledge and skills. Each Thursday we are encouraged to stay behind after school and study with assistance from our teachers (Every Thursday from 3:00 - 4:15). It is a fantastic environment where food and snacks are provided from the Senior School team. All Year 11 and 12 students are welcome including Year 10 enhancement students. 

 

Pancake Day/Pajama Day was an exciting event where the Year 12 students came to School dressed in their pyjamas and were served pancakes for breakfast. There were so many pancakes that we ate them all day long! They were delicious!

On Thursday 2 March, there was a VCE information evening. It was an insightful evening where key information about VCE, and wellbeing strategies as well as a guest speaker - a former student Erwin Diesta. Erwin is currently studying honors at Melbourne University in Biomedicine. 

 

He was truly an inspiration and shared his journey from not being able to speak English when he arrived in Year 9 to where he is now. Erwin shared key information how he succeed in VCE whilst balancing study/life. 

 

Levi Rose Lyons

College Captain 

 

Home Study Vs Homework 

Homework and study are essential if you are to complete VCE to the best of your ability. Homework is used to complement and supplement the study of each subject, while study (often overlooked) aims to increase student understanding and retention of knowledge through encouraging ongoing, independent learning.

 

In VCE you need to find two and a half to three hours to complete homework and study each night. While the amount of homework set each night may vary, each student should allocate time to complete set tasks as well as study.

 

Homework

Homework tends to be task oriented, teacher directed and has set completion dates that students must meet. The types of homework set by teachers may be:

a) Practical exercises - providing students with the opportunities to apply new knowledge, or to review, revise

and reinforce newly acquired skills.

b) Preparatory homework - providing opportunities for students to gain background information so they are

better prepared for future lessons.

c) Extension assignments - encouraging students to pursue knowledge individually and imaginatively.

 

Home Study

Study tends to be student centred, self-initiated, and should be ongoing in nature. The study can take the following

forms:

  • Re-reading class notes
  • Practising vocabulary
  • Revision of work completed earlier
  • Wider reading
  • Re-organising folders and notes
  • Re-reading texts and novels
  • Summarising notes and further reading
  • Revision or preparation exercises to be completed overnight or by a set date
  •  Follow-up work or completion of tasks started in classes during the day.
  • Study to revise for tests and examinations
  • Projects to be completed over an extended period
  • Compilation of brief summaries of work on topics completed during that week
  • Reading materials relevant to specific subject

Below is a pyramid of the average student retention rate 

KEY DATES 

  • Wednesday 23 March - Parent/Teacher/Interviews.
  • Monday 24 April - Formal (Year 11  and Year 12)
  • Thursday 27 April Year 10 -12 Elevate
  • Thursday 15 June - GAT
  • Monday 18- Thursday 22 September - Year 12 VCE revision program (Compulsory)
  • Monday 2 - Friday 27 October - VCE Oral Examinations
  • Tuesday 24 October - Friday 24 November - VCE Written Examinations
  • Every Thursday tutorial study session with your teachers, (3 pm - 4:15 pm)

Attendance Requirements: 

Success in year 10 and VCE starts with attending each day for learning. All students are required to have a 95% attendance rate.

Students who do not have a VCE attendance of 95% for a class will be ‘at risk’ of not completing the course attendance requirements (50hrs) and may receive an N for the unit

 

School Absences for missed SACs (VCE only)

Students who are absent on the day of a SAC must produce a medical evidence (i.e medical certificate) from a medical practitioner that shows they were unfit for school and must be submitted to the General Office in person or via email.

 

Building Resilience

Ms Chris Daicos, our guest speaker for the Years 8 – 10 information night, presented a witty and very informative session about practical approaches to:

  • Develop a growth mindset in our children, and
  • Build resilience in children.

Chris managed to re-affirm how well we all support our students as well as provide more insight into strategies that can encourage problem-solving skills, copying with anxiety and stress and just about all things to help the development of self in our children.

 

Ms Michelle deBoer

Head of Senior School