Students have commenced Semester 2 with enthusiasm and a willingness to focus on new learning opportunities.

Awards Assembly

On 18 July, we gathered as a community to recognise the achievements of the students from across Semester 1. It was a wonderful opportunity to pause, and 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 co-operatively and made positive contributions to classes

The recipients of each year level:

The Year 7 recipients of the Ignatius Award are:

The Year 8 recipients of the Ignatius Award are:

The Year 9 recipients of the Ignatius Award are:

The Year 10 recipients of the Ignatius Award are:

The Year 11 recipients of the Ignatius Award are:

The General Achievement Test (GAT)

As part of the reform of the VCE and VCAL, Victorian senior secondary students will this year have their literacy and numeracy skills measured against new standards in a reformed GAT. All students enrolled in one or more VCE or scored VCE VET Unit 3 - 4 sequences will be required to sit Sections A and B. Senior VCAL students will sit Section A only. The 2022 GAT will be held on Wednesday 7 September.

• 9:30am – 11:45am: Section A: Literacy and Numeracy (2 hours + 15 minutes reading time)
• 1:15pm – 3:00pm: Section B: General Knowledge and Skills (1.5 hours + 15 minutes reading time)

In preparation for the GAT, the ‘GAT CHAT’ will take place on Tuesday 16 August, Period 3. All students undertaking a 3/4 VCE Unit or VCE VET Unit and Senior VCAL students will be provided with information that emphasises the importance of the GAT and strategies that will assist them in completing the GAT.

VTAC Application Process

Ms Tania Vranes, the College Pathways Leader, has begun preparing Year 12 students for the VTAC application process, for courses of study in 2023.

As a follow up, there will be a presentation for students Tuesday 16 August, Period 3, and a VTAC Information Evening for parents and carers on Wednesday 24 August. This will be an online meeting and a link will be sent shortly.

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 2023 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.

VCE Units 3/4 Trial Examinations

To assist our students achieving their potential, trial VCE Examinations are being held during the Term 3 break. All Year 12 students and Year 11 students studying a Unit 3/4 subject are expected to attend for their subject examinations.

Trial examinations give students the best opportunity to succeed in their final examinations at the end of the year. These examinations are compulsory and will be an opportunity to give students vital feedback on areas of strength and areas requiring improvement.

The supervisors are external supervisors employed by the College, and they will be the same supervisors you will have at the end of the year. These examinations will mirror the end of year VCAA examinations and, as such, students must adhere to all examinations rules and regulations.

The Trial Exam period is Wednesday, 21 September – Thursday 29 September.

Students need to arrive 30 minutes prior to the commencement of each examination. All trial examinations will be held in the MacKillop Centre. The timetable has been distributed to students.

Units 3/4 Connect Education Workshops

In partnership with Connect Education, the College will provide three hour Connect Education Workshops in Week 10 of Term 3. Students enrolled in Units 3/4 will participate in the workshops. Connect Education will provide revision and exam focus lectures for our students that are subject specific and provide resources to support our students. These will run during normal school hours so students are expected to attend. The timetable has been distributed to students.