In 2024, our school is participating in Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools – School Improvement Surveys (MACSSIS). MACSSIS is an annual process whereby schools listen to the thoughts and feelings students, families and staff have about how their school can improve. These surveys help inform the ongoing improvement of schools across the Archdiocese of Melbourne.
One of the main goals of the family survey is to identify the strengths and areas for improvement in our school. MACSSIS data benefits everyone within our school and provides valuable community insights on areas that each school can focus on. Our school believes it is important to encourage families to have a voice and contribute to shaping the ongoing improvement of the school.
In 2024, students, families and staff are invited to participate in MACSSIS via the secure and purpose-built online platform. The online platform is where our school leaders will access the summary reports that visualise the results of the student, family and staff surveys. The MACSSIS survey platform is operated by an independent supplier, ORIMA Research Pty Ltd. The platform meets with the high security and privacy standards for handling student and school data. Participating schools are in the process of updating their privacy policy to ensure school communities are fully informed and protected.
Students at our school will be provided with supervised sessions, where teachers are on hand to help and answer any questions. Families and staff can complete the survey anytime over the three-week window via an emailed link and password.
The survey is available online, can be accessed from Monday 2 September and needs to be completed by Friday 20 September 2024. Families will be emailed the survey link along with their unique password to complete the survey. If you would like more information, please contact the school.
Years 7-10 Parent Teacher Student Conferences are occurring on:
Thursday 29 August, 3.40pm - 8.00pm, Face-to-face at the College (Normal student day)
Friday 30 August, 8.30am - 2.00pm, Online via Microsoft Teams (Student Free day)
Bookings will be available via PAM for these interviews. Notification will be sent to families when the bookings are available. Feedback to families about your child’s progress is viewed as an important part of the relationship between the College and families and we encourage all families to attend a session.
On 23 July, we gathered as a community to recognise the achievements of the students from across Semester 1. It was a wonderful opportunity to recognise excellence in the College.
The St. Ignatius Award is presented to the top students from Years 7-11 and acknowledges academic excellence, perseverance and outstanding commitment to learning.
The St. Ignatius Award is awarded to students who:
Have excelled in all aspects of academic endeavour
Demonstrated consistent effort and contributed to class discussion and activities
Displayed excellent organisational skills
Worked cooperatively and made positive contributions to classes
The recipients of each year level were:
Year 7
Eloise Marshall
Aarna Bazaz
Bani Shah
Amanda Pahalage
Eloisa Otten
Lola Crosbie Paul
Swara Agrawal
Raphaella Nhat-Mi Tran
Audrey Pozniak
Aradhya Sharma
Year 8
Savannah Northeast
Olivia Claughton
Allegra Pettinella
Annabel Groombridge
Abby Bassos
Shayna Truong
Lana Murphy
Theresa Morton
Arielle Farid
Chloe Gawith
Year 9
Keira Broadway
Hannah Boehme
Kiana Habner
Bianca Gekas Novella
Nia Oliver
Christina Oldham
Chiara Fortuna
Veronica Byrne
Hannah Goga
Ruby Morris
Year 10
Anabelle Sofoclis
Olivia Borg
Georgia Topp
Lily Castro
Laticia Northeast
Emilie Blight
Liana Bardhan
Chloe Appels
Carly Stoimenovska
Isabella Armeri
Year 11
Ivy Quach
Kate Birthisel
Chantal Vella
Natalie Postill
Kiana Howell
Anastasia Ong
Michelina Paglianiti
Indi Horsburgh
Gale Anderson
Sophia Truong
The VTAC application process was presented to Year 12 students and their families on Tuesday 13 August.
Mr McMillan has already begun working with Year 12 students to provide individual pathways guidance, SEAS application information and special entrance program requirements information.
We are very aware that this experience can be both exciting and daunting as students begin to consider their pathway beyond life at MSJ. Some students will be very clear about their plans for 2025 and will work towards achieving those goals. Others will still be trying to work out just what it is they would like to pursue.
As educators and parents, it is important we acknowledge there is no normal in this process. Our main aim is to guide and coach students so they can reach their full potential in both an academic and a personal sense.
Unit 3 / 4 Practice Examinations are an integral and compulsory component in student preparation for the VCAA scored examinations. These practice examinations provide students with timed practice in completing examinations in a similar environment to end of semester exams and provide a summative indication of the progress made by students in relation to their examination preparation. Staff use these examination results to inform the structuring of their revision program as well as providing further information which assists in finalising derived examination scores for the VCAA.
This year, as publicised, the practice examinations will be scheduled on the Term 3 holidays. The final timetable for these examination allocations will be provided to students in upcoming days and a formal presentation will be provided to students which will include procedures and regulations. External supervisors will administer these examinations. These examinations will mirror the end of year VCAA examinations and, as such, students must adhere to all examinations rules and regulations.
All students will be provided with feedback on each exam and an academic transcript will be sent home to families summarising the outcomes of these examinations. Much importance is placed upon the benefits of these practice examinations and their purpose as part of a whole revision process and therefore all practice exams are deemed as compulsory.
MSJ staff will be present at the school during the examination time, with the front office open for external communication purposes. Students are permitted to wear casual dress for the trial examinations.
The Trial Exam period is Friday 20 September – Thursday 26 September. Therefore, Year 12 students will be concluding their classes for Term 3 on Thursday 19 September.
Students need to arrive 30 minutes prior to the commencement of each examination. All trial examinations will be held in the MacKillop Centre.
Chantelle Gauci - Deputy Principal, Learning & Staff
