Term 2 Full Steam Ahead!
Practice GAT - Get GAT-Ready!
Thinking of Going Non-ATAR?
SAC Season - Stay Ahead of the Game!
Senior School Catch-up Sessions
Progress Reports & Attendance Reminders
ANZAC Day - Honouring Sacrifice
Uniform Expectations
Key Dates Coming Up
Final Words
Joel McDougall
Senior Sub School Leader
Dear Senior School Families,
Welcome back to Term 2! We hope the holidays provided a chance to rest, recharge, and maybe even get a few jobs ticked off the "I'll do it later" list. April has kicked off at full speed, and there’s lots to update you on!
Term 2 - Full Steam Ahead!
Term 2 may be short, but it’s packed full of important moments: SACs, study, camps, and key assessments. It is vital that students are organised, balancing their academic workload with wellbeing, social time, and a healthy amount of sleep (not just Netflix marathons!). Good habits now will mean smoother sailing later.
Practice GAT - Get GAT-Ready!
Wednesday, 15th May is our official Practice GAT, held on our Curriculum Day. All students required to sit the real GAT in June have been listed on Compass under the event "Practice GAT" — please check your Compass notifications carefully. This session will mirror the real GAT, including full timing, supervision, and exam conditions. Importantly, the Practice GAT will be marked by independent markers, and students will receive valuable feedback to help sharpen their performance before the real event.
Why is the GAT so important?
- It can directly influence your ATAR. If exam scores are unusual or disrupted, a strong GAT score can help moderate results.
- It protects your subject grades. In cases where Special Provision is needed, the GAT is used as evidence to support your final scores.
- It assesses essential skills. Literacy, numeracy, critical thinking — the GAT measures what’s at the heart of success in all subjects.
In short: Doing your best in the GAT can only help you. Think of it as academic insurance — a strong GAT result is always a good thing.
Key Dates:
Practice GAT – Wednesday, 15th May (Curriculum Day)- Real GAT – Monday, 17th June
Tip: Treat the Practice GAT seriously. A strong effort now sets you up for success later — and yes, celebrating afterwards with a donut is absolutely appropriate.
Thinking of Going Non-ATAR?
Some Year 12 students may now be considering a Non-ATAR pathway. A few key tips if you are:
- Speak with your Year Level Coordinator and the Careers Team early.
- Make informed decisions—some future courses still require completed VCE, even without an ATAR.
- Stay engaged! You still need to meet all coursework requirements to successfully complete VCE or VM.
- Own your journey. Non-ATAR pathways lead to incredible futures too. Pride in your choice is what matters most!
(And no, unfortunately, it doesn’t mean "no more schoolwork"—we’re still finishing strong together!)
SAC Season - Stay Ahead of the Game!
Believe it or not, we are already more than halfway through Semester 1. Soon, students will enter a particularly busy period where end-of-semester SACs pile up quickly across multiple subjects. Now is the time to stay organised and disciplined!
- Stay on top of classwork — don’t let tasks build up.
- Plan ahead — know when your SACs are scheduled and work backwards.
- Seek help early — if you’re feeling overwhelmed or falling behind, please speak to your Year Level Coordinators (YLCs) or teachers.
- Use support sessions like after-school catch-ups to stay in control.
Remember: SACs are not surprise parties — they’re predictable if you prepare!
Senior School Catch-Up Sessions
Each Tuesday afternoon from 3:20pm–4:30pm, catch-up classes run for students who:
- Missed SACs
- Need to complete a redemption
- Are behind in key coursework
Your Year Level Coordinator will let you know if attendance is required. It is a chance to get ahead before deadlines catch you!
Progress Reports and Attendance Reminders
Progress reports will be released soon. This is a great chance for families to review learning habits, progress, and goals for the rest of the semester. A reminder:
- Senior students must maintain at least 80% attendance in each subject.
- Being present in class is crucial for learning outcomes, SAC preparation, and academic success.
Netflix will still be there after school. Your future opportunities are being built now.
ANZAC Day - Honouring Sacrifice
This month, our Senior School students proudly participated in our school’s ANZAC Day commemorations. Their respectful and thoughtful involvement during the service set a wonderful example to our junior students about leadership, gratitude, and community pride. It was a powerful reminder of the strength and character we aim to build in all our students. Lest we forget.
Uniform Expectations
With cooler weather sneaking in, a quick reminder:
- Hoodies and non-uniform tops are not permitted.
- Proper black school shoes (not runners) must be worn.
- Students must be clean-shaven and wear their uniform with pride.
As senior students, setting the tone for the whole school matters. Thank you for leading by example!
Final Words
It is a busy, challenging, and exciting term ahead and we are already proud of the determination and spirit our senior students have shown. Keep showing up, working hard, and reaching for your goals. We’ll be with you every step of the way!
