Issue #5 22 May 2026

Dear Senior School Families,

Term two has been one of the busiest and most important periods of the year for our senior students. SACs, the GAT, revision programs, and Year 11 exams are all rapidly approaching, making organisation, attendance, and preparation more important than ever.

Practice GAT and General Achievement Test (GAT)

All students required to complete the GAT in 2026 will participate in our Practice GAT on Wednesday 20th May. This is a session that mirrors the real thing. We have made the timing, the seating, and the content all to mirror the real GAT, which will take place on Tuesday 16th June.

The Practice GAT is designed to mirror the real experience and provides students with an invaluable opportunity to familiarise themselves with exam conditions, timing, and question styles before the official assessment.

The GAT plays a very important role in the VCE and VCE VM system. It is used by VCAA as part of quality assurance processes and can help support students if there are unexpected disruptions, examination issues, or applications for special provision. A strong GAT performance can only benefit students.

Students should ensure they arrive well rested, equipped, and ready to perform at their best.

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 nearly halfway through the year! 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 catchups 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!

Year 11 Exam Preparation

Year 11 students will shortly begin preparing for Semester 1 exams, with the examination period commencing directly after the King’s Birthday long weekend beginning Monday 9th June.

Leading into exams, students will participate in a dedicated revision week across their subjects. This is an important opportunity for students to consolidate learning, revise key knowledge and skills, and seek clarification from teachers before assessments begin.

Exams are a critical part of senior schooling. They not only assess student understanding, but also help students develop the study habits, resilience, organisation, and examination skills required for Year 12 and beyond.

Students are encouraged to begin preparing now by:

• Reviewing class notes and coursework regularly
• Completing revision questions and practice tasks
• Creating study schedules and routines at home
• Seeking help from teachers early if unsure about content
• Reducing distractions and maintaining healthy sleep routines

Consistent preparation over time is far more effective than last minute cramming.

Attendance Matters

Attendance continues to be an important focus across the Senior School.

Students undertaking VCE and VCE VM are expected to maintain consistent attendance in all classes. Regular attendance is essential, not only for academic progress, but also for teachers to be able to authenticate student work and verify achievement of learning outcomes.

Unfortunately, a number of students are currently placing themselves at risk of receiving an ‘N’ (Not Satisfactory) result in one or more subjects due to low attendance.

At senior level, missed classes quickly lead to missed learning, incomplete coursework, SAC preparation gaps, and increased stress later in the semester. While we understand that illness and unforeseen circumstances can occur, ongoing unexplained absences can significantly impact a student’s ability to successfully complete their studies.

Families are encouraged to continue monitoring attendance closely and work with the school to support students in attending consistently and engaging positively in their learning.

Final Thoughts

The coming weeks will be extremely important for all senior students. We encourage students to stay organised, attend consistently, prepare thoroughly, and make the most of the support available from their teachers and Year Level Coordinators.

Success in senior school is built through consistent effort over time, and the habits developed now will make a significant difference later in the year.

We thank all families for their continued support throughout the term.