Curriculum, Data & Assessment
Regular Assessment Cycle
We would like to remind families that we have several regular ways of giving feedback on how your students are progressing. These include:
- Learning behaviours report. This takes place every three weeks and provides an update on how your child is demonstrating our learning behaviours of Aim High, Work Hard and Be Good.
- Learning tasks. These take place approximately every six weeks (this will be slightly different for VCE students). The grade for students’ recent assessment task will be released via Compass.
- Semester report. A report of all your child’s grades in each subject, a comment for their improvements and their level of achievement is released twice a year, at the end of each semester.
- Student Learning Conferences. Student Learning Conferences take place twice a year. This semester, they will be taking place on Wednesday 25th March from 11:30am-7:30pm. Bookings will appear on Compass shortly.
NAPLAN Exams
We would like to notify families of the upcoming NAPLAN exams in Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language and Numeracy which will be taking place for Year 7 and 9 students from March 11th – March 23rd. The planned schedule is listed below, please check Compass for a confirmed schedule.
The NAPLAN exams are very important for students.
For students, NAPLAN gives them an opportunity to practise the style and type of questions that will appear later in their schooling such as the GAT. It will highlight their strengths and allow teachers to tailor their learning to where extra support may be required.
For parents, NAPLAN gives an indication of their child’s overall achievement in literacy, numeracy, spelling and grammar.
For teachers at Elevation Secondary College, NAPLAN exams are useful for a number of purposes including to inform our teaching and learning curriculum. Additionally NAPLAN results can support teachers to provide advice to students on future pathways such as Year 10 electives, VCE options and certificate courses.
NAPLAN exams are meaningful when students are prepared and try their hardest. To help students to be ready, we ask that you speak with your child about the importance of taking their NAPLAN exams seriously and trying their hardest on all of them. Students will receive this messaging from classroom teachers as well as in assemblies.
NAPLAN exams are non-compulsory on an opt-out basis – if you wish for your child to be withdrawn please contact Jessica Smith – jessica.smith10@education.vic.gov.au
| Year 7 | Year 9 | |
| Writing | Wednesday 11th March | Wednesday 11th March |
| Reading | 7A-7E – Friday 13th March 7F-7J – Monday 16th March | 9A-9E – Friday 13th March 9F-9K – Monday 16th March |
| Conventions of Language | 7A-7E – Tuesday 17th March 7F-7J – Wednesday 18th March | 9A-9E – Tuesday 17th March 9F-9K – Wednesday 18th March |
| Numeracy | 7A-7E – Thursday 19th March 7F-7J – Friday 20th March | 9A-9E – Thursday 19th March 9F-9K – Friday 20th March |
We ask that all Year 7 and 9 students bring their laptops and headphones during the testing period, although there are school laptops and computers available for students without laptop access.
Jessica Smith
Learning Specialist – Curriculum, Data & Assessments
Arts
Music
We are really excited for another great year of music at Elevation Secondary College. This year we welcome Hugh Kirne and Ashley Ballat to the classroom music team who are both really excited to join such a great community. They join Simon Wilson and Felishia Iannelli as part of the classroom music team and our instrumental music teachers Nicholas Freer, Troy Grech and Tereza Cuca.
This year we have music classes running from year 7-12 with students learning a variety of music, styles and instruments within their classes.
Our instrumental music program has also begun with lessons being offered in Vocals, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Piano, Trumpet and Drums.
As part of our instrumental program, we also have the school band program where students will develop their ensemble skills and have fun playing with others.
Instrumental lessons are $150 for a semester with one lesson per week.
That works out to be only $7.50 per lesson.
For more information, please contact your child’s music teacher or email Hugh.Kirne@education.vic.gov.au.
Hugh Kirne
Instrumental Music & Band Coordinator
Visual Art
We’ve had a really positive start to the year in the Visual Arts Department, and it’s been great welcoming Jess Hall to the team.
We’re also excited to be offering our first VCE Creative Practice subject in Year 11, alongside our established VCE Visual Communication Design (VCD) program. It’s great to be able to provide students with more senior pathways in the arts and more opportunities to build strong folios.
Right now, students across the school are settling into Unit 1 and building strong foundations for the year ahead. In Year 7, we’re focusing on the elements of art and basic drawing skills, with students practising observation, shading and effective use of colour. Year 8 students have started Visual Communication Design, working on a 2 point perspective city block, with an emphasis on accuracy and creativity.
In Year 9 Visual Arts, students are currently working on a portrait drawing, taking time to practise careful observation and build their drawing skills. In Year 9 VCD, students are looking at typography and designing a personal company logo, focusing on how text and design choices communicate an idea. In Year 10 Visual Arts, students are working on a mixed media fruit still life, focusing on texture and experimenting with materials. In Year 10 VCD, students are completing object design by designing a bottle and producing a technical drawing.
It’s a strong start, and we’re looking forward to seeing these ideas grow over the term.
Elena Vidiella Lopez
Domain Support – Arts