Students who are absent for a SAC are reminded to obtain a medical certificate to present to their teacher upon their return. Generally, missed SACs are rescheduled to Thursday afternoons and can go as late as 5.15pm, so students should avoid scheduling part-time work or other commitments on this day.
On Tuesday 17 June, all Year 12 students and accelerating Year 11 students participated in the General Achievement Test (GAT), a compulsory assessment that plays an important role in the VCE system. While it does not directly contribute to study scores, the GAT is used to help verify school-based and exam assessments, and it can be critical in ensuring fair and accurate results when unexpected circumstances arise.
Some students shared that they found completing the GAT within the allocated time quite challenging. The GAT challenged students to think deeply, work efficiently, and sustain focus across a range of tasks — a valuable opportunity to experience the kind of time-pressured conditions they’ll encounter in final exams. These reflections on the GAT serve as a valuable reminder of the importance of thorough exam preparation and effective time management in the lead-up to the end-of-year VCE exams.
We encourage all students to take these insights seriously. Practising timed responses, building writing endurance, and refining strategies for reading and interpreting questions quickly are skills that will benefit students across all their subjects. The GAT may be behind us, but the learnings from it can still provide valuable direction as students move towards their final assessments.
In recent weeks, it’s been encouraging to see many students taking the initiative to make greater use of Edrolo as they prepare for their final SACs and end-of-year exams. Across a range of subjects, students have been actively revisiting video lessons, working through practice questions, and using the platform’s revision resources to consolidate their understanding. This independent approach to learning demonstrates maturity and a growing awareness of what’s required to succeed in the final stages of the VCE journey.
What is particularly pleasing is that much of this engagement has been self-directed, with students logging on and using Edrolo resources without needing prompting from their teachers. Whether it’s reviewing a tricky concept after class, preparing for a SAC, or building confidence before exams, students are clearly recognising the value of the platform. This proactive mindset is exactly what we hope to see at this time of year, and we encourage all students to continue making the most of the support tools available to them.
Holiday homework plays a crucial role in helping students across Years 10 to 12 stay connected to their learning and maintain momentum heading into the final stretch of the academic year. While the term break offers a well-earned chance to rest and recharge, it also provides a valuable window for consolidating knowledge, revising key concepts, and getting ahead in preparation for upcoming assessments. For senior students especially, using this time wisely can help reduce stress and build confidence as they approach their final SACs and VCE exams.
Completing holiday homework is also an important habit that supports long-term academic growth. For Year 10 and 11 students, it lays the foundation for more independent study practices that will be essential in Year 12. It allows students to reinforce skills, identify areas needing improvement, and return to class ready to engage with new content. We encourage all students to strike a healthy balance by taking time to rest, while also committing to the learning tasks set by their teachers and self-directed revision tasks.
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