1. PRINCES HILL SECONDARY COLLEGE YEAR 12 VCE Parent Information Evening 2014

2. Gaining a VCE Total of 16 units Must include 4 X 3 / 4 Unit sequences Must include 3 Units of English Or Literature or EAL over Units 1-4 Can do VCE over 3 years- no penalty

3. Unscored VCE It is possible to get a VCE without doing SACs or Exams by meeting the OUTCOMES of units through class work and homework completed. This means you will not get an ATAR. You can make a decision to gain an unscored VCE at any time leading up to the exams before SACs resulted are entered in term 4.

4. Gaining an ATAR Four best Unit 3/4 studies including English / Literature/ EAL, plus 10% of up to two more studies. No more than two similar studies in top four –e.g.: Music, Maths, Languages, History ATAR: Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, from 0- 99.95. It is a rank not a mark. Come to the PHSC VTAC Parent Information Evening Term 3 in August. ATAR is used for Tertiary selection.

5. Changing subjects  Still possible to change until Friday 7 th Feb Need to take care (VCE/VCAL rules, tertiary prerequisites etc.) See Ms Icely & then Mr Mc Murdo to do the paperwork CAE- recent changes mean the cost to students is now $1,700

6. Study Expectations Students self reliant Homework program: 3-5 hours per night 5-7 hours on Wednesdays One day on the weekend DO NOT UNDERTAKE PAID EMPLOYMENT ON WEDNESDAYS! Revise if no set work Study at the same time & place as much as possible: ergonomic furniture away from Facebook

7. Attendance and punctuality  Maximise your “face to face” learning time ESSENTIAL Policy is set out in PHSC Senior School Handbook http://www.phsc.vic.edu.au/images/stories/Senior_School_Guide.pdf?php MyAdmin=Qv9tkRJcku9HQ2XX0N5KsQrX4m8 Follows VCAA guidelines- 5 unexplained, 12 in total ( with medical certificate- within a 2 week period) per unit Practical implementation means that 5 mins lateness will be recorded as absence Parents should record absences through Compass

8. SACs Any absence from a SAC MUST be explained by a Medical Certificate. They must show this to their teacher asap to make a time to sit the SAC. If not then the score will be Not Assessed i.e. 0 marks All teachers give out SAC date times to classes The SAC Calendar is being collated at the moment. See PHSC website to view the calendar

9. Study Periods Make best use of time Complete class and homework, revise Only in study area, library or canteen VCE Hub has new funky furniture!

10. Interim Reporting  Parents may request a report at any time. Interim reporting will take place at end of Terms 1 & 3 as well as formal end of semester 1 report. No end of year report Parent teacher interviews 1 st April

11. EXAMS General Achievement Test (GAT): Wednesday June 11 th ( Any student doing a 3/4 VCE subject must sit the GAT ) End of Unit 4:Friday 24 th October Unit 4 Final Exams: Begin Wednesday 29 th October ATARS released : Monday 15 th December

12. Special Exam/SAC Provision May be applicable in special circumstances e.g. Illness, trauma or ongoing learning or physical disability Special Exam arrangements- must be done asap DUE: Friday 7 st March to VCAA Must apply through the coordinator See VCE student Handbook for more details & /or VCAA website

13. Derived Exam Score Problems e.g. medical, family emergency on exam day or a few days before- contact VCE coordinator asap Might be possible to apply for a Derived Exam Score Still try to sit the exam if at all possible

14. New Homegroup Structure Compulsory-Tuesday after period 2 for 30 mins Student support: Study skills & organsation Revising for SACs and Exams Well Being & Stress management Tertiary Institutions VTAC Applications & Pathways Becoming an Adult See the wiki for more details: http://confluence.phsc.vic.edu.au/display/VCE/Year+12+Home+Group+2014 Make Up Home Group Wed 8.40

15. Some "tips"  Senior School study is a team effort -student, parents and teachers working together Get your child to teach new information to you!  Weekday evenings are not suitable for extended social activity  A planned study routine is helpful: 1min planning saves 4 mins- 5 mins saves 20 mins Study in 50 mins chunks with 5/10 min break Review notes within 24 hrs. & regularly throughout the year  Baroque Music aids recall by 25% Positive attitude & self talk – affirmations Recommended Book – Michael Carr –Gregg “Surviving Year 12- A Sanity Kit for students & their parents”

16. Advice for Parents of a Year 12 Student Help them maintain balance & stay organized. Remember, you can’t study for them. No one can make a young person study. It is up to them in the end. It’s good to be available in the final year, even if on the phone. Ask if there is anything you can do. Getting them to teach you a concept is a good learning experience for them & you! Parental nagging & harping has been identified as a major student stressor. Offer support that they will/ can accept. Although this is an important year, they need to know that their lives will go on after it. There are many pathways to get to a final goal. Try not to compare siblings. Celebrate getting through year 12 before the results come out; commend their efforts not just their ATAR. Negotiate your needs and expectations & be flexible. Discuss a range of options for the future. Discuss these tips with them to see which are the most important.

17. Parent Help Session Tuesday 27 th May 7pm Elevate Education Presenter

18. STUDY SKILLS & COURSE CONFIRMATION MORNING A compulsory session for Year 12s is being held tomorrow 5 th Feb 8.40 am- 12.25pm Guest Presenters from “Elevate Education” Topics-Study Sensei & Memory & Mnemonics Enrolment details checked – VASS Forms Other sessions held on other Wednesdays throughout the year (on the calendar)

19. Home Group Teachers 12A Hannah O’Keefe 12B Sophie Peters 12C Sasha Kober 12D Agne Douvartzidis 12 E Pinetta Filardo 12F Marcellene D’Menzie Coordinator Debra Icely icelyd@phsc.vic.edu.au 9389 0654 DO WE HAVE YOUR CORRECT EMAIL?