VCE Information Evening 7 th Feb 2017

1. CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE VCE Information Evening7th Feb 2017

2. VCE Information Leading Teacher – Data and VCE/VET/VCAL – David Watson Principal and Student Learning Leader – Mary Mcpherson Careers – MIPS Coordinator – Ian Cook CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE

3. What are your questions/concerns about VCE? What would you like to know by the end of this session?

4. Program Outline • VCE Requirements • Study Scores and the ATAR • VET and VCE • VCE Baccalaureate • When Issues Arise • Curriculum Information • Expectations and Homework • Student Support • 2018 Pathways

5. 1. VCE Requirements

6. CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE 1. VCE Requirements First, some important terms: • Unit: A semester long course of study Units 1&2 are internally assessed Units 3&4 have exams • Sequence: A year long course of study • Subject: An area of study composed of four Units (1-4) eg Chemistry, English etc

7. CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE 1. VCE Requirements What subjects do I need for my VCE? • A minimum of 16 Units over levels 1-4 • at least 2 from a Unit 3 & 4 English sequence • e.g., Unit 3 & 4 English or Unit 3 & 4 Literature • At least 3 English Units across levels 1-4 • at least 3 other Unit 3 & 4 sequences

8. 1. VCE Requirements How do I pass a Unit? • Two forms of assessment tasks for Unit 3/4 subjects • Tasks to determine satisfactory completion • Determines pass/fail of the Unit • Graded Assessment Tasks • Contribute to the Study Score • In order to pass a Unit, students must obtain an ‘S’ (S = satisfactory completion) CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE

9. 1. VCE Requirements What is an ‘S’ and how is it obtained? • Each VCE subject has a Study Design • The Study Design defines the Outcomes for each Unit that must be demonstrated in order to obtain an ‘S’ (satisfactory) • A Unit will have 2-4 Outcomes • Example CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE

10. 1. VCE Requirements What is an ‘S’ and how is it obtained? CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE

11. 1. VCE Requirements What are DLAs? • DLA-Designated Learning Activity • Tasks designed to enable students to show that they understand the relevant content from the Study Design • Opportunity for students to become familiar with the content that will be assessed in graded assessments • Opportunity for teachers to provide feedback about student learning prior to graded assessments CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE

12. 1. VCE Requirements How are DLAs assessed? • Ultimately S/N, though many teachers will give a ‘score’ • Satisfactorily completing the DLAs equates to satisfactorily completing the Unit CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE

13. CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE 1. VCE Requirements • Attendance requirement: • VCAA requires 50 hours in class • Minimum 80% of classes • To achieve potential an attendance rate of more than 95% is recommended.

14. 2. Study Scores and the ATAR

15. CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE 2. Study Scores and the ATAR First, some important terms: • SAC/SAT: Graded tasks performed in class by students and which contribute, with the external exams, to the study score. • Study Score: A score, out of 50, for a Unit 3/4 sequence. Used to calculate the ATAR • ATAR: A number between 0.05-99.95 used to rank student performance for the purposes of University entry

16. 2. Study Scores and the ATAR How is the ATAR calculated? • Unit 3 and 4 Subjects graded using SACs or SATs to produce a Graded Assessment result for each Unit (GA1 & GA2 respectively). • Unit 3 and 4 subjects are then graded by external examinations at the end of the year (GA3). • GA1 and GA2 results are moderated by the VCAA and then combined with the GA3 result to produce a raw Study Score (out of 50). • For the purposes of ATAR calculation, all subjects are standardised and the resultant scores scaled up or down accordingly. • Top 4 Scaled Study Scores (including an English) are added together, along with 10% of the next two highest. • These are ranked and then rescaled to a result between 0.05-99.95.

17. 2. Study Scores and the ATAR What are SACs/SATs? • School-based “Graded Assessments” are calculated from: • SAC: School-Assessed Coursework • SAT: School-Assessed Task (typically folios) • Each SAC/SAT is designed to assess one of more “Outcomes” from the Study Designs • Scores for each Unit’s SACs are combined to produce the Graded Assessment result for the Unit CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE

18. 2. Study Scores and the ATAR • What is SAC/SAT Moderation? • SAC/SAT scores that teachers provide back to students are provisional only • The VCAA might moderate these results up or down depending upon how students in the school compare with their peers across the state in the exam CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE

19. 2. Study Scores and the ATAR What does my Study Score mean? • Range is 0 to 50 with a median is 30 • 2% of students will get a score on or above 45 • 9% of students will get a score on or above 40 • 26% of students will get a score on or above 35 • 50% of students will get a score on or above 30 • 78% of students will get a score on or above 25 • 93% of students will get a score on or above 20 CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE

20. 2. Study Scores and the ATAR • What is scaling? For purposes of ATAR calculation, Study Scores are adjusted or scaled: “difficult” studies get scaled up and “easier” subjects get scaled down. EgSubject Raw Score Scaled Score Methods 30 35 Further 30 28 CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE

21. CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE 2. Study Scores and the ATAR • How are Study Scores used to calculate the ATAR? • Calculation uses scaled study scores from … • An English sequence • + 3 next best study scores • + 10% of 5th and 6th study scores or unscored VET bonuses The “Primary Four”

22. CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE 2. Study Scores and the ATAR What’s a “good” ATAR? • The ATAR ranges from 0.05 to 99.95 • The top 35 students in the State get 99.95, the next 35 get 99.90 and so on • 5 scaled study scores of 30 give an ATAR of about 67 (6 scaled 30s  70) • 5 scaled study scores of 35 give an ATAR of about 84

23. 3. VET and VCE

24. CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE 3. VET and VCE Cert III Catering Operations Cert II Engineering Cert III Sport and Recreation (Yr. 12 of Outdoor Rec) Cert III Technical Production (Music Industry) Unscored: Cert II Automotive Technology Cert II Building & Construction Cert II Applied Fashion Design & Technology

25. CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE 3. VET and VCE Scored:Have exams and a study score. You shouldsit the exam and complete school assessments for a study score to be generated. Unscored: Your Primary Four subjects are averaged, and you get 10% of that average added on to your score that is used to generate your ATAR.

26. CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE 3. VET and VCE Primary Four: English – 34 Physics – 39 Mathematical Methods – 37 Art – 33 Average = 35.75 10% of Average = 3.575 Therefore an unscored VET subject as a 5th or 6th subject would contribute 3.575 to your overall score.

27. 4. VCE Baccalaureate

28. CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE 4. VCE Baccalaureate What is the VCE Baccalaureate? • It is a special VCE certificate • VCE program of study must include: • a Units 3 and 4 sequence in English or Literature with a study score of 30 or above; • a Units 3 and 4 sequence in either Mathematics Methods or Specialist Mathematics • a Units 3 and 4 sequence in a VCE Language • at least two other Units 3 and 4 sequences

29. 5. When Issues Arise

30. CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE 5. When Issues Arise • Students may reschedule a SAC in certain situations: • It clashes with another commitment • Medical reasons • Exceptional circumstances • To reschedule a SAC, complete the “Unit 3/4 Reschedule of SAC Request Form” • See your subject teacher &/or Mr Watson

31. CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE 5. When Issues Arise • Students may apply for Special Provision/Special Exam Arrangements • cognitive disorders (eg ASD) • Language disorders (eg dyslexia) • Health issues (eg anxiety, chronic pain, diabetes) • Students apply through the school and in all cases supporting documentation, such as a medical assessment, is required

32. CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE 5. When Issues Arise Special provision usually involves: • Rest breaks • Separate room In exceptional cases it may also involve: • Use of a scribe to record responses • Use of a narrator to read questions • Use of a computer to write responses

33. CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE 5. When Issues Arise • The deadline for applications for special exam arrangements is Friday 3rd March • If you feel you should apply, see Mr Watson urgently.

34. CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE 5. When Issues Arise What if I have a grievance about a SAC/SAT result or about some aspect of how it was conducted? • Depending upon the nature of the grievance, the first step would be to clarify it with the teacher • If this doesn’t resolve the grievance, bring it to the attention of the VCE Coordinator (Mr Watson) • It will then be investigated and appropriate action taken where necessary

35. 6. Curriculum Information

36. CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE 6. Curriculum Information • Learning Management System – Moodle • http://8824-moodle.csc.vic.edu.au • All course outlines including week-by-week breakdown, DLA and SAC dates • Designated Learning Tasks and class materials available • VCAA website: Study Designs and resources

37. 7. Expectations and Homework

38. CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE 7. Expectations and Homework • Minimum of 2-3 hours homework a day • Additional 6 hours a week during peak times • Homework consists of: • Completing set tasks / designated learning activities • Preparation of summary notes and revision of concepts • Preparing for upcoming topics – pre-reading • Preparing for upcoming assessments • Practice examinations

39. 8. Student Support

40. CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE 8. Student Support What supports are available to students? • Study skills in Mentor program and Mentor teachers • Teachers are available to assist • Study periods at Year 12 level • September holidays revision and practice exams • After school study sessions - Thursday nights in the library • Online resources (typically accessed via Moodle)

41. CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE 8. Student Support How can parents support their child? • Provision of quiet study area • Support with organisation and study routines • Helping to maintain balance (rest/work/play/diet) • Giving support in “peak” periods/monitoring wellbeing • Helping students stay focused • Ensuring communication between home and school • Encouraging and emphasising the value of working diligently

42. CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE 8. Student Support What supports are available to students? • Study skills in Mentor program and Mentor teachers • Teachers are available to assist • Study periods at Year 12 level • September holidays revision and practice examination sessions • After school study - Thursday nights in the library • Online resources (typically accessed via Moodle)

43. CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE 8. Student Support a more personaliSed and relationships-based approach to working with our students ONE Adult who knows the student best and is the prime caring adult for that student at school The Mentor should be the primary link between home and school Every mentor is supported by a Precinct leader CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE

44. CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE 8. Student Support Guidance Counsellor/Wellbeing Staff • Specialist staff who can support students with issues within and beyond classroom • Students can self-refer at any time • Able to provide students with links to GPs and other wellbeing and mental health professionals • Can mediate between staff and students or students and their peers to repair relationships • Develop balance : sleep, exercise, relationships, social life

45. 9. 2018 Pathways

46. 2018 Pathways – Ian Cook CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE

47. Pathway Options for 2018 • University – All are different. • TAFE – Some offer degrees. • VTAC entry. • Direct entry. • Work / Apprenticeships / Traineeships. • Deferment / GAP Year. CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE

48. What’s happening? • Weekly Career Newsletter/ information relevant to Year 12 sent to personal email if registered. • Weekly Career Newsletter will be posted in library (also emailed). • Currently in the process of interviewing all 2017 Year 12 students. • Second interview conducted in Term 3. CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE

49. What’s happening? • TIS (Tertiary Information Service) – May 2017. • On request: provide students with an individual print out matching their units, interests and courses. • List of Open Days available early Term 3. • Early August - Parent/Guardians/Student VTAC Night CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE

50. Important VTAC Dates • Initial selections close end of Term 3. • Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) close early Term 4. • Scholarships close mid October. • Change of preferences end of school year. • Offers early January 2018. CASTLEMAINE SECONDARY COLLEGE