Our seniors have demonstrated a strong commitment to our ‘We are Better Together’ CPR theme this term. They have worked consistently and cooperatively to produce excellent work in the classroom, in the yard and on excursions. Our Year 11s and 12s have upheld our school values and contributed to the positive and inclusive environment that makes our school such a great place to learn and work.

The students have been involved in many exciting events this past month, so I hope you enjoy reading about them below:

RSPCA Excursion

The Year 12 VCE VM students attended the RSPCA in Burwood on Wednesday 17 April, as part of their studies in Personal Development Skills. The College was successful in obtaining a fully subsidised program and therefore, the students were able to travel by coach and attend the Education program, all free-of-charge.

The visit enabled students to understand the role of the RSPCA in our community, take a behind the scenes look at an animal welfare facility, hear about the roles and responsibilities of volunteers and RSPCA officers, and engage with the animal residents and farm. The students thoroughly enjoyed the excursion and were able to engage in thoughtful discussions on consumer awareness, community engagement and animal welfare back in the classroom.  

 

ANZAC Day

Our Year 12 VCE VM students held a ceremony to commemorate ANZAC Day on Wednesday 24 April 2024. The students led the ANZAC Day service, and the School Captains laid a wreath to acknowledge the contribution and sacrifice of all those who have served our country. A special thank you to David Wilson for playing the Rouse and Last Post, to Corporal Laurence Gatt from the RSL for his heartfelt commemorative address to our school community, and to our special guests Corporal Amar Hujdurovic, Charlotte Nunns and Ranveet Mundi – Representing Natalie Sulyman, Minister for Veterans, Small Business and Youth. Thank you also to all staff and students who attended the ceremony. Lest we Forget.

 

 

Year 11 & Year 12 Assemblies

The Year 11& Year 12 assemblies were held on Monday 29 May 2024. The focus of the assemblies was to introduce the “Better Together Week” and to share feedback from our student forums with actions for improvement. Exam expectations and procedures were also communicated at the assembly.

These assemblies were our first senior student-led assemblies. Thank you to our presenters Haily Le and Patrick Vo (Year 11) and Sarah Mai and Kelly Lam (Year 12) for running the assemblies. They did a fabulous job.

We would like to encourage our senior students to build their leadership, confidence and public speaking skills by volunteering for future assemblies. If you are interested in presenting, please see us in the Senior Sub School.

Multicultural Day

On Wednesday 1 May 2024, the VCE VM students celebrated the diverse cultures within our school community by running stalls and selling a variety of homemade food from all over the world at lunchtime. The SRC organised a parade of cultural dress, music and dance performances. It was heartwarming to see the school community come together to celebrate cultural inclusivity, with such pride and enjoyment.

Study Skills Week

This week is “Study Skills Week” in the Senior Sub School! The Senior Sub School have been focussing on building effective study skills and habits by running workshops with the Year 11s and 12s. At the workshops, students are equipped with research-based practical techniques, such as developing a study schedule, the Pomodoro technique to reduce procrastination, using mnemonics and visual organisers as tools for note making. The goal is for students to feel more confident with knowing how to study in order to achieve their full potential.

Table Tennis Teams

We would like to congratulate the boys and girls senior tennis teams for achieving second place in the finals. Well done to all who participated! 

 

 

Victorian Careers Show

The Year 11 students will attend the Victorian Careers Show at the Melbourne Showgrounds on Friday 17 May 2024. Students will have access to a range of university, TAFE and training providers, and will be able to obtain useful information and resources to inform their future pathway.

VCE VM Brimbank Careers Expo

In addition to the Victorian Careers Show, the VCE VM students attended the Brimbank Careers Expo on Wednesday the 8 May 2024 to gain further knowledge of the careers and pathways available to them. This excursion is linked to the Work Related Skills outcomes.

CHASE Program

The Year 11 VCE VM students have started the CHASE program. CHASE is a community initiative working to improve health through education. Their goal is to see young people empowered to take control of their own health, to then engage with their local communities to improve health awareness and outcomes. The program is being run by students from the universities across Melbourne. The VCE VM students will continue to work with their mentors throughout Term 2, to implement their projects and achieve their health-related goals.

Zoos Victoria Youth Leadership Program – A Report from Luke Downing Yr 11

On Friday the 3 May, I attended Melbourne Zoo after being invited to mentor the new enrolees of the Zoos Victoria Youth Leadership Program, following my participation in last year’s program. The Zoos Victoria Youth Leadership Program is a leadership program run by Zoos Victoria annually, aiming to teach year 9 and 10 students about leadership, and about sustainability, both in what Zoos Victoria do within and outside of their direct communities, and teaching us about how we can be leaders in our communities, working towards achieving a sustainable future.

Each year students are selected from across the state, with a maximum of 2 students per school. On Friday I attended with a few peers from last year’s program to speak with the new participants about our experiences with the program and to offer our advice. Given how rewarding this program turned out to be, I accepted the invitation to speak with the new group of students. I got to speak to small groups of young leaders about why they joined and had the pleasure of listening to their incredible stories and reasons for motivation.

We engaged with them throughout the day as they completed team building exercises and got to learn about behind the scenes events that happen daily at the zoo, which many people do not even realise happens.

The skills and knowledge we gained, and connections we made from this program will have a lasting effect on not just me, but anyone who has the pleasure to attend this program, or learn from someone who did. Each year the program is refined, but no matter when you do it, you will always get to encounter substantial and view changing experiences, such as Going to Philip Island to view the Australian Fur Seals in their natural environment, going to Healesville Sanctuary to learn about indigenous plants and animals, and how first nations people looked after them, and even possibly an overnight stay to witness the stunning environment that we are aiming to protect.

Each year the experiences will be unique but will always have a flare to them. I cannot stress enough how impactful this program has been, teaching me valuable skills and knowledge, as well as creating lifelong connections and friendships with like-minded young leaders. This program, both last years, and last week’s opportunity to mentor the new leaders was truly special and if you are offered an experience like this, I strongly encourage you to take it.

Progress Reports

Year 11 Progress Reports are due next week. Year Level Coordinators will be interviewing students and speaking to parents/guardians, as needed. Progress reports will be available for students and parents/guardians to view from Friday 24 May 2024.

Exams

Year 11 end-of-unit exams will commence from Thursday 30 May to Friday 7 June 2024. The students will be preparing for their exams in classes. The Year 12 practice exams will be held during the holidays from Thursday 4 July to Tuesday 9 July 2024, except the English Exam which will be held on Report Writing Day on 14 June from 11:00am. We encourage all Year 12 students to use the study schedules, which they will develop during their study skills session, and to ensure they have allocated adequate time for both revision and study. A quiet and well-organised study space at home is essential for effective study.

GAT

The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) General Achievement Test (GAT) for all students completing a Unit 3/4 subject will be held across the State on Tuesday 18 June 2024. To help students prepare for the GAT, the Senior Sub School has organised a compulsory information session on Tuesday 11 June 2024 from 3:15am to 4:30pm, which will be run by GAT assessor and English teacher, Ms. Michelle Vieth. Students who work a part-time job should ensure they keep this date free. 

Uniform

A reminder that as the weather is cooling down, students can purchase the school scarf and jacket from the uniform shop on Mondays and Thursdays at lunchtime. The school scarf is the only scarf to be worn at school.

We request that parents/guardians contact the school if their child is absent and that a medical certificate is obtained, where possible. Students are required to meet our Attendance Policy for a satisfactory result in their end-of-semester reports.

We would like to thank parents for their continued support of the Senior Sub School, and invite them to contact us on 9366 2555 if they have any queries or concerns about their child. 

 

Ms Marlene Cassar – Senior Sub School Leader