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Principal Updates

From the Deputy Principal, Mr Bryson

04 August 2022

To foster a culture of excellence and to support students in being aspirational, we embrace subject selection as an opportunity to showcase who we are as a dynamic Catholic learning community.

2023 Subject Selection

Throughout this term, students have been working through the initial stages of the subject selection process and have had the opportunity to learn more about the subjects offered at each year level. For our Year 9 and 10 students this has also included learning more about the individual learning pathways that are available to them as they transition into the senior school. These opportunities include the recent Learning and Pathways Expo, and Parent Information Nights as well as the various year-level assemblies for Year 8, 9, 10 and 11 students.

We thank the many parents and students who attended the Learning and Pathways Expo as well as those who joined online to view the Year 9 into 10 Parent Information Night. If you were unable to attend these events and to further assist students as they work through the subject selection process in preparation for next year, please note the following key information.

Curriculum Overviews & Subject Handbooks

An overview of the subjects offered at each year level (Curriculum Overview) is available for students to download by checking the Daily Messages section on SIMON.

This information includes:

  • the subject selection requirements and pathway options for students at each year level; and
  • a list of the different semester-based subjects and elective options at each year level.

Each of the Curriculum Overview documents also provide examples of the different subject options and combinations students may wish to choose from when considering their subjects for next year. Students are also encouraged to access the Learning and Teaching section of the College website for more information. This section includes an overview of the curriculum program at each year level as well as a link to the 2023 Subject Handbooks.

Q&A Pathway Sessions (Year 9, 10 & 11 students)

These are optional information sessions that will be held in the Careers Centre from 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm.

Students in Years 9, 10 and 11 are invited to attend these sessions and they will have the opportunity to ask Learning Area Leaders and other subject teachers questions about the different subjects and pathways options offered within the senior school.

The dates of these sessions have been shared with students in the Daily Messages section on SIMON and have also been listed below for your reference.

  • Wednesday 3 August (English / Humanities)
  • Tuesday 9 August (RE / Languages /Maths)
  • Wednesday 10 August (Science / HPE / Arts / Technologies)

If your son or daughter is unable to attend any of these sessions, they are encouraged to see their subject teacher(s) to discuss any questions they may have about the subjects offered in 2023 and the recommended pathways related to each learning area.

Subject Selection Interviews (Year 9 & 10 students)

Year 9 and 10 students will be involved in Subject Selection Interviews on Thursday 11 August with individual interviews held between 1.30 pm and 5 pm. The aim of these interviews is to provide further support and guidance to students as they select their subjects for 2023. Students will be allocated a Subject Advisor who may be their Pastoral and Learning Mentor (PaLM), Year Level Leader or a member of the Learning and Teaching Team who will conduct these interviews.

Bookings will be available through the Parent Access Module (PAM) and a letter will be sent on Operoo with further information on how students can book a time to meet with their allocated Subject Advisor.

IMPORTANT: Please note that there will be no scheduled Year 9, 10 or 11 classes for periods 5 & 6 on this date. Year 9, 10 and 11 students will be dismissed at the end of period 4 (12.40 pm).

Access to Web-Preferences

On Wednesday 11 August, students will receive an email with details outlining how to access the web-preference portal. This is the online portal for students to enter their subjects for 2023. Year 11 students are asked to follow the instructions provided in this email and enter their subjects for next year by no later than Monday 15 August.

During their allocated Subject Selection Interview, students in Years 9 and 10 will be asked to enter their subjects for next year and enter any final selections by no later than Monday 15 August.

Year 8 students are asked to enter their subject selections for next year by no later than Wednesday 17 August.

Students will receive confirmation of their subject choices for 2023 at the start of Term 4.

Questions

Students in Years 7 to 9 are asked to contact Mr. Stephen Manitta (Head of Learning and Teaching – Middle School) with any questions related to the subject selection process and subjects offered within the Middle School (Years 7 to 9). This includes questions related to the MAGIS program and other elective options at Year 9.

For questions related to the pathway options available within the Senior School (Years 10 to 12) including applications to undertake a VCE accelerated subject, please contact Ms. Daniela Bombardieri-Szabo (Head of Learning and Teaching – Senior School).

For all subject-specific questions, students are encouraged to see their subject teacher or the relevant Learning Area Leader.

Questions related to the College’s Applied Learning programs and to learn more about the VET subjects offered at Year 10 and within the Senior School, please contact Mr. Casey Backhouse (Applied Learning & Vocational Training Leader).

Students are also encouraged to contact Ms. Cheryl-Anne White and the Careers Team to discuss future study, career and pathway options.

Tutor Learning Program

The College’s Tutor Learning Program provides targeted literacy and numeracy support to students across all year levels.

A reminder that our tutors are available to provide any additional support to students in the library during lunchtimes and after-school until 4 pm. This extends to our tutors also being available to provide support to students after-school on a Monday and Wednesday until 5 pm.

If you have any questions about this program or wish to express interest in your son or daughter being involved in this program, please contact your child’s English or Mathematics teacher.

You may also contact either Mr. Stephen Manitta (Head of Learning and Teaching – Middle School) or Ms. Daniela Bombardieri-Szabo (Head of Learning and Teaching – Senior School).

Mr Andrew Bryson – Deputy Principal, Staff and Learning Operations