Throughout the period of remote learning our Year 12 homeroom teachers and Year 12 Level Leaders have been maintaining connection through pastoral care sessions, a Year 12 newsletter and Google Classroom to ensure the wellbeing of each student is catered to. We are aware how extraordinary these circumstances are this year and how our Year 11 and 12 students have had a very different experience to the one they envisioned at the start of 2020. In Term 4, we will endeavour to find a great balance between preparing for the assessment period ahead and, especially for our Year 12s, celebrating the final days of 13 years of schooling. The Student Leadership group have also been involved to ensure the celebrations are a fitting end to the school year. Our main aim for Term 4 is for Year 11 and 12 students to enjoy each other’s company and reflect on a job ‘well done’ in 2020.
It is also essential that we provide as much support and practical assistance to our senior students as they prepare for the final phase of their 2020 studies. This requires hard work and a strong study ethic in ‘normal circumstances’ and so with this ‘disruption’ year the role parents can play in assisting students with preparing for ‘the final push’ towards their End of Year Examinations is even more crucial. As well as explaining our preparation strategies, please also see the resources available for students and parents.
General Achievement Test (GAT) — Wednesday 7 October
We have been reinforcing with students that it is in their best interest to achieve the best GAT results they can. Preparation has included an Online Practice GAT so students could experience exam conditions and practice problem-solving strategies. We have also created four video tutorials (accessible on the Barak Learning Portal and shown in Tuesday's pastoral care period) unpacking tips and suggestions. It includes specific advice from Mrs Kay-Taylor, who has been a GAT assessor. Once marked, students will receive direct feedback on strengths and areas for improvement with suggested strategies for developing over the September holidays.
- GAT Briefing for Year 11 and 12 students
- Importance of the GAT (Mrs Barr)
- Online practice GAT (Mr Russell)
- Tips from an assessor (Mrs Kay-Taylor)
Unit 3 and 4 Trial Exams — Monday 12 October to Thursday 15 October (Term 4 Week 2)
Unit 3 and 4 Trial Exams have been rescheduled to the second week of Term 4. This year, this also takes on extra importance as subject teachers will be using Trial Exam results to assist with calculating subject indicative scores for the VCAA's 'Consideration of Educational Disadvantage' process with moderating ATAR rankings. Subject teachers will also use Trial Exam results to specifically diagnose students' subject strengths and weaknesses to inform exam revision activities and areas of focus in the final weeks of Term 4, so students’ preparation focus will be essential. To assist students with preparing over the holidays (after a short rest after finishing up Term 3), we have prepared the following for students (and parents) to utilise:
Unit 3 and 4 End of Year Examinations
Commencing Term 4, subject teachers will be leading students through finishing Unit 4 course work and with the information from the Trial Exam results will be delivering revision activities to prepare students for the End of Year Examinations.
Special Entry Access Scheme via VTAC
Our fantastic Careers team have been working with students in preparing their VTAC applications, including the SEAS component of their application. This includes students completing surveys where they can identify how this COVID-19 disruption has impacted them and their studies. Students and parents are encouraged to contact Careers Leader Mrs Lauren Ferguson if they have any questions or require any assistance with completing this section of their VTAC application.
Consideration of Educational Disadvantage via VCAA
The Victorian Education Minister, Mr James Merlino, announced several weeks ago that the VCAA will be utilising a 2020 'Consideration of Educational Disadvantage' process to give reassurance to VCE/VET Unit 3 and 4 students that the VCAA will be considering the impact of COVID-19 disruptions on students' learning and achievement during the year — alongside their exam results. Schools will be asked to provide information from a range of data that will be considered alongside their exam results. The College has a team currently working on providing to the VCAA this information. Part of this process will include students completing a 'Personal Impact Survey' so that they can provide information on their experience.
VCAL
We are also very mindful of the impact that COVID-19 has had on VCAL students — especially their ability to complete their hours for their Structured Work Placements. We're anticipating more guidance soon from the State Government on how we can best help our VCAL students finish their studies this year as well. Students and parents are encouraged to contact VCAL Leader Mrs Kristy Brown if they have any questions.
Article by the Barak Campus team: Mrs Janet Barr, Mr Tim Thompson, Mr Neal Haining, Miss Simone Esmonde, Mrs Tamara Rundle and Mr Kamahl Russell.
