2022 | Issue 2 | SJC Newsletter

Mt Sion Awards

Last week, we were able to acknowledge the academic and co-curricular achievements of our Mt Sion students for 2021. This occasion is a celebration of student achievement and a chance to reflect on the significant effort that has been made by our students as they persisted through the challenges of remote learning and the impacts of COVID-19.

Whilst we could not recognise all the students in these awards, we are very proud of their collective results, and the continued success they have after they have left the College. Not only did we have a VCE median higher than the State average, a significant increase in the number of students who achieved above 90 ATARS, but our students were twice more likely to be employed than students from any other College in the Geelong region according to our recent On Track Results.

It was also great to hear about the diverse range of University and TAFE courses the students have been offered, from International Studies, Performing Arts, Business Studies through to Aeronautical Engineering. Congratulations to all involved in the ceremony and the Events team who put this significant event together.

A full photo gallery of the day is available on the College Facebook Page & a video of the event is included in this newsletter edition. 

Allwell Testing

Last week our Year 7 students participated in an extensive written test delivered by Academic Assessment Services which covers the areas of Reading, Writing, Numeracy, and Reasoning. The College uses the data from this testing to profile our students to support their learning, as well as track student progress at specific times in their schooling e.g., Year 8 and Year 10. This not only helps us to continue to identify ways we can support our students but also track the impact of the curriculum and programs we deliver at the College. The Year 7 students did an excellent job completing these tests in the gym, and our Year 8 and Year 10 students are scheduled to sit these tests later in the year. Thank you to Vin Brown and Rebecca Barker for the coordination of these tests.

Assessment and Mid Semester Reports

All Assessment results will be made available to parents through continuous reporting cycles in PAM. This year the Curriculum Team has made some modifications to our comments, directing our feedback to the students in the reporting of results, whilst making this feedback accessible to parents to read. Mid Semester reports will provide a snapshot of your child’s learning dispositions across the following areas:

• Completes all learning tasks including homework
• Completes all learning tasks including homework
• Works collaboratively with others
• Takes ownership and responsibility for their learning
• Actively seeks feedback for improvement in their learning

Mid semester reports will be made available to parents 31 March.

Changes to the GAT in 2022

This year the Government announced significant changes to the GAT, which previously had been completed by students sitting a VCE Unit 3-4 sequence. In 2022, the GAT date has been moved to Wednesday 7 September and has undergone some significant changes as part of the move towards the new senior secondary certificate.

As part of the reform of the VCE and VCAL system, Victorian senior secondary students will this year have their literacy and numeracy skills measured against new standards in a reformed GAT. The new standards will indicate whether students have demonstrated the literacy and numeracy skills typically expected of someone completing their secondary schooling – giving another indication of their readiness to move onto further education, training or employment.

Whilst more information will be provided regarding the process it is important that families of students who are in Year 12 completing VCE (score /unscored) or VCAL will be required to sit at least one component of this test, which is divided into 2 sections:

• Sections A will assess literacy and numeracy skills
• Section B will assess skills, in mathematics, science, technology, arts and humanities with an increased focus in critical and creative thinking.

For our Year 10 and 11 students enrolled in one or more VCE or scored VCE VET Unit 3–4 sequence, they will be expected to sit Sections A and B of the GAT. Students enrolled in Senior VCAL will be expected to sit Section A only. If students are enrolled in Senior VCAL as well as one or more VCE or scored VCE VET Unit 3–4 sequence, they will be expected to sit Sections A and B.