2023 | ISSUE 10 | SJC Newsletter

Deputy News

Subject Selections for 2024: Charting Your Learning Pathway

St Joseph's College recently conducted an informative senior subject selection evening on Wednesday, 12 July. The event was well attended by a number of our Year 9 students transitioning into Year 10 and Year 10 students moving into Year 11 in 2024.

During the event, students and parents were presented with an array of valuable information sessions on various academic pathways available at St Joseph's College. These sessions included discussions on the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), VCE Vocational Major (VM), Vocational Education and Training (VETis), Acceleration into VCE, and general career pathways. It was heartening to see a substantial turnout, indicating the enthusiasm and interest of our students and their families.

To further assist students in making well-informed decisions, subject displays were set up in our Gymnasium, showcasing the diverse range of subjects available. Additionally, representatives from Victorian universities and training organisations were present to answer any questions and provide insights into future pathways beyond the College.

For ambitious students seeking to accelerate into their VCE, St Joseph's College has organised subject interviews with members of our Senior teaching team. These interviews will be conducted from Monday, 24 July, to Wednesday, 26 July. To secure an interview slot, students are requested to book their appointments through our PAM (Parent Access Module) booking system. Furthermore, Year 10 students seeking additional guidance in selecting their subjects are also encouraged to book an interview with a teacher on Monday, 24 July, or Tuesday, 25 July, from 11.15 a.m. onwards. Parents are warmly invited to attend these sessions if they are available, as their input can play a vital role in supporting their child's academic journey. Again, appointments for these sessions can be made via the PAM system.

All Year 9, Year 10, and Year 11 students are reminded that their subject choices must be entered into the web preference system by Friday, 28 July. This deadline ensures that the school administration can efficiently allocate resources and tailor the curriculum to meet the needs and preferences of our students.

Recognising the significance of informed decision-making, St Joseph's College ran the My Future program for Year 9 students. This program, which occurred in the first week of the term, incorporated a series of engaging activities, including guest speaker sessions and career exploration opportunities. Through this program, students were empowered to make informed choices regarding their subject selection, keeping their future aspirations at the forefront.

In addition to the initiatives for Years 9 and 10, students in Year 8 transitioning to the Westcourt campus (or Year 9 campus) will receive presentations at school in the next few weeks. These presentations will provide valuable insights into subject choices for 2024, as well as the Westcourt project—a semester-long, project-based learning unit. To ensure that both students and parents are well-guided in making their decisions, an invitation has been extended to visit the Westcourt campus on Wednesday, 26 July, at 6 p.m., for an information evening.

Not to be forgotten, our Year 7 students moving into Year 8 will receive support from the staff at Waterford to outline their elective options. They will guide students through the process of selecting their elective subjects for 2024 through the web preference portal, ensuring a smooth transition and an opportunity to explore their interests.

Year 7 and Year 8 students are reminded that their subject choices are due by Friday, 11 August. Heads of Learning from each subschool will be in regular contact with students, via email, to provide updates and keep them informed throughout the subject selection process.

St Joseph's College is committed to empowering students to make informed choices regarding their academic futures. By providing a range of resources, information sessions, and ongoing support, the school aims to continue to provide pathways that are tailored to students' needs.

In Summary: Key Subject Selection Dates

NAPLAN

The 2023 NAPLAN testing results will be released this week, and a hard copy of the results will be sent via mail to our parents later this week.
From 2023, NAPLAN results are reported against proficiency standards, with student achievement shown against 4 levels of proficiency. There is a standard for each assessment area at each year level. This replaces the previous numerical NAPLAN bands and national minimum standards. The NAPLAN measurement scale and time series have also been reset.

To help understand the new reports please refer to the video

https://youtu.be/AcYsiLtE7a8

Lisa Pope
Deputy Principal - Learning