Curriculum & Learning Report

In June, our Year 10 students sat their end of semester exams. These exams prepare students for the rigours of VCE. These assessments build exam confidence, develop time management, and reinforce study skills. By mirroring senior exam conditions, they help students identify strengths and areas for growth, setting them up for success in their VCE journey.

Year 10 students will complete another round of exams at the end of the year. Students are encouraged to consider what study strategies they used this time and decide whether they should continue using these strategies or experiment with other methods.

Here are some strategies that we recommend all students use to prepare for CATs, SACs and exams:

• Create a study timetable – Plan and prioritise subjects.
  
• Use active recall – Test yourself regularly.
  
• Practice past exams – Get familiar with question formats.
  
• Use spaced repetition – Review content over time.
  
• Summarise notes – Simplify and condense key points.
  
• Teach someone else – Explaining helps deepen understanding.
  
• Study in short bursts – Use the Pomodoro method (25 mins study, 5 mins break).

This month, we were very excited to run our first full scale GAT test for all students studying a Year 12 subject. The General Achievement Test (GAT) is a key component of the VCE and VCE Vocational Major (VM). All students completing a Unit 3–4 subject must sit the GAT. It assesses general knowledge and skills in literacy, numeracy, and reasoning. The GAT does not directly contribute to study scores, but it plays an important role in ensuring fair and accurate results. It is used to check the accuracy of VCE assessments and can contribute to derived scores if a student is affected by illness or other issues. For VCE VM students, the GAT confirms literacy and numeracy standards required for completion.

Our students took this assessment very seriously and many were happy with how they performed (even if there was a strange question about morse code!)

It is important that students bring a dictionary and scientific calculator to the GAT test.

Extension and Opportunities Report

Partnerships

In 2025, Elevation continues to engage in a partnership with ABCN, an organisation that partners with Australian businesses to remove barriers for students through structured and facilitated workplace-based mentoring programs that raise aspirations, develop key skills and broaden horizons. So far, our Year 10’s attended the ‘Interview 2 Impress’ sessions and learnt crucial interviewing skills and practical tips for employment opportunities, while our Year 9’s attended the ‘Future Thinkers’ program, and discovered how Design Thinking can aid in problem solving and innovation. One of the programs, GenSTEM, sees a select group of 12 students embark on multiple excursions throughout the year to build on knowledge and skills developed in the previous year.

This year, students attended multiple GenSTEM workshops focussing on setting and achieving goals. Working closely with highly experienced mentors from Westpac, students form specific goals and find out ways to approach, adjust and achieve these goals. Next term, students will attend the Tech Careers Expo and explore different pathways in the STEM industry. Thank you to Kate Cholich and Ella Francis for their support and participation in the program!

Big Science Competition – Results Update

Earlier this year, thirty-seven Elevation students took part in the Big Science Competition. We’re now excited to share the results!

Four students achieved a Distinction, placing in the top 15% nationally: Jasnoor (Year 8), Akhil (Year 8), Asra (Year 9), and Zayan (Year 9). Credits were awarded to: Nedim (Year 7), Chloe (Year 8), Aalana (Year 9) and Ahmad (Year 9). We’re especially proud of our Year 9 team, who outperformed the state, nation and competition average across all areas of science. This is a fantastic achievement, as students competed against some of the top science learners in Australia, applying their scientific knowledge and skills to real-world, problem-solving contexts.

Thank you to Ms Jessica Smith for facilitating this enriching opportunity, and to our wonderful science faculty staff who support these budding scientists in their learning each day. Congratulations to all students who represented our school. Keep aiming high and exploring science beyond the classroom!

Up and Coming…

Applications to join Team Elevation for the Australian Mathematics Competition are now open! This national problem-solving competition will run in Week 3 of Term 3. Students can apply by completing a brief application and are selected based on Maths performance and involvement in Maths Club (Tuesdays at lunch in F1). It’s a great way to challenge your thinking and earn a nationally recognised certificate. Contact Ms Alice Hu (alice.hu@elevationsc.vic.edu.au) for more information.

Chinese

Late last month the Year 10 Chinese students had a chance to go on an excursion to NGV, Chinatown and Museum of Chinese Australian History. Students attended the Asian Art exhibition in NGV, and saw ancient Chinese artefacts, as well as modern abstract Chinese art. Students were introduced to new aspects of Chinese culture that they had not encountered before, which was an eye-opener.

For lunch, our Year 10 students went to Chinatown to try authentic Chinese food, which they thoroughly enjoyed. Their last stop was a visit to the Museum of Chinese Australian History, where they learnt about the Four Great Inventions in China. It was an exhausting day travelling around the city, but it was an enjoyable experience for all our students. We look forward to more excursions in the future for different year levels.

Jing Ci Li
Domain Leader – Languages