Year 12 Information Session

1. Year 12 Information Session Mrs Elizabeth Ryan Head of Senior School Thursday February 9, 2012

2. Welcoming Address Mrs Elizabeth Ryan

3. Introductions • Mr Hamish McCrum VCE Coordinator • Mr Michael Busscher and Mr Andrew Chamings Year 12 Coordinators

4. Mr Hamish McCrum VCE Coordinator

5. VCE Minimum Requirements • Students must complete 16 units (semesters) • Students must pass a minimum of 3 units from the English group. (This includes Literature, ESL, English or Foundation English) • 3 sequences of 3/4 Units other than English. • VCE VET qualifications may contribute up to eight units and two sequences to the award of the VCE.

6. Satisfactory Completion / Outcomes • The School will award an ‘S’ for a unit based on the teacher’s judgment that the student has demonstrated achievement of the Learning Outcomes for each Unit.

7. Satisfactory Completion / Outcomes • Accordingly the student must: • Produce work that meets the required standard • Comply with attendance requirements • Submit work ON TIME • Submit work that is clearly their own • Observe VCAA and school rules

8. Unit 3 & 4 Assessment consists of: • SACs (School Assessed Coursework) • (completed in class) • SATs (School Assessed Tasks) • (“Projects”- some outside of class time) • External Examinations (June and Oct/Nov) • GAT (June 14, 2012)

9. Assessment in the VCE • SACs count. An individual’s ranking within the school is more important than the unmoderated SAC score. • SATs count. Score is more important than rank. • Exams count: individually and collectively

10. Assessment Components For Example Mathematical Methods Unit 3 & 4 SACs 34% Examinations 66% English Unit 3 SACs 25% Unit 4 SACs 25% Examination 50%

11. Assessment Components For Example Media SACs 20% SATs 35% Examination 45%

12. Student absence from SAC tasks • Attend classes (!) - if illness or a special appointment keeps you from being present, sort it out as soon as you return to school . • If a SAC is missed for unavoidable reasons, contact must be made by the parent/guardian in written form, detailing the reason the SAC was missed. If ill, a medical certificate needs to be supplied.

13. Student absence from SAC tasks • If approval is given the SAC will be rescheduled to either a contingency class (after school on a Tuesday or Friday) which ever is the sooner. • Upon return to school, the student must collect and complete an ‘Application to Reschedule School Assessed Coursework’ form from Mr. Hamish McCrum (VCE Co-coordinator).

14. Authentication • Both Staff and students must be sure that the student’s work is their own for SACs and SATs • Students cannot bring any materials to SAC tasks unless it has been approved by their classroom teacher.

15. GAT • General Admissions Test (GAT), 14 June 2012 • A three hour test undertaken by all students enrolled in one or more 3/4 Study • Used in statistical moderation of course work against exam performance • Derived Exam scores

16. Special Provisions • Available to students who suffer a significant impairment or problem • Can include modification of programmes and /or delivery of programmes • School based assessment (SAC’s & SAT’s) rescheduling, extensions, technological aides derived scores

17. Special Provisions • Special Examination arrangements- rest breaks, extra time ( 10mins.) separate supervision, technological aides • Derived examination scores for problems IMMEDIATELY before or during exams, NOT chronic problems • Applications are made to VCAA by the school and require medical and other supporting evidence. VCAA makes the decision. • CLOSING DATE at VCAA: March 2, 2012

18. Special Provision: To enable students to demonstrate what they have learned-VCAA • Derived examination scores: when problems not of a student’s making or choosing prevent them from showing what they have learned-VCAA • SEAS Applications: When circumstances during 2012 make it difficult for students to perform to their usual standard –VTAC/Universities (by no means a free ticket)

19. ATAR • Australian Tertiary Admission Rank The purpose of the ATAR is to rank students according to other students within the state applying for tertiary courses in a particular year.

20. ATAR Calculation • English and the next 3 best scaled scores are added together. • This is known as the Primary Four. • Plus 10% of any fifth or sixth studies. • Each student’s ATAR aggregate is then used to determine a ranking.

21. How is the ATAR calculated? -Study scores rank all students completing that study for the year according to their performance -VTAC then scale these according to the level of competition within each study: being average (30) in Further Maths and average (30) in Math Methods are not equal

22. VTAC Scaled Study Scores • According to VTAC: • Scaling ensures that each study score contributes fairly to the ATAR score • Students can therefore choose studies that they enjoy or are good at, knowing that they will not be disadvantaged by their choice

23. Example VCAA VTAC Subject Study Scores Scaled Study Scores English 30 28 Math Methods 28 33 Physical Ed 37 34 Food & Tech 40 34 Legal Studies 33 32 Aggregate score = 28 + 33 + 34 + 34 + 3.2 = 132.2 ATAR 74.50

24. VCE APPEALS PANEL • Will convene to hear cases of: • Suspected breaches of the rules e.g. authentication or plagiarism issues • Student appeals relating to the award of an N • Special provision for school assessments • Other school related issues

25. ATAR Calculator Google ATAR Calculator VCE or go to http://atarcalc.com

26. Year 12 Information Session Mr Michael Buscher & Mr Chamings Year 12 Co-ordinator

27. Surviving the Senior School • The necessary requirements: • Motivation • Communication • Organisation • Balance

28. Year 12 Expectations • Study Lessons • Must be present at school for all study lessons – no signing in late or leaving early. • Cannot leave College grounds. • Study in KRC or timetabled room.

29. Year 12 Expectations • Driving to College • The College strongly recommends that you do not drive to College. • The College strongly recommends that you do not carry passengers. • Hand in keys to Mr Busscher. • Park on Sturt Street service street. • No driving on College grounds

30. Hints for Parents • Firstly, your son will go through periods of anxiety, stresses, and occasionally may want to throw the towel in! • It’s a tough year for them anyway – wanting independence of several forms from financial to social.

31. Hints for Parents • Please discuss and negotiate household chores, expectations, needs etc, with your child during a non – stressful time! • Create an environment of stability and consistency that promotes learning eg desks, meals. A regular routine is helpful. • Keep siblings at bay! • Assist with resources – paper articles, watch out for open days, study aids from the newsagent, wall planners.

32. Hints for Parents • Give praise and encouragement – but don’t be intrusive!! • Know when the busy times are. • Help keep the balance between homework, social lives, family time, chores, rest, and work. • Be assertive when they need it!