25 MAY 2026 Deputy Principal: Learning and Teaching

As we approach the middle of the year, two key priorities come into focus for our students: semester exams and subject selection.

Students in Years 8 – 11 will soon undertake their semester examinations. These assessments provide an important opportunity to refine study and exam skills, while also offering a snapshot of each student’s progress and achievement.

A key message for students is that consistent, long-term study is far more effective than last-minute cramming. Short, regular study sessions help build deeper understanding and support long-term retention.

Our Academic Captains, Chelsea and Raea, recently shared the following tips, which parents can reinforce at home:

• Create a distraction-free study space: Encourage study in a quiet environment, such as a dedicated space at home or the college library. Minimising distractions helps maintain focus.

• Start early: Effective study begins from the start of the year, not just before exams. Regular, smaller study sessions are more beneficial than intensive last-minute efforts.

• Focus on active study techniques: Tasks that require recalling information—such as answering practice questions, writing essays, and checking answers—are more effective than passive activities like rereading notes or watching videos.

• Review over time: Students should revisit both recent and past learning. A simple guide is to spend 30% of study time on current content, 30% on last week’s work, and 30% on material from the past month. The last 10% can be saved for some chores around the house!

Subject selection is also underway for students in Years 8 – 11. While this process can feel overwhelming, it is also an exciting opportunity.

For younger students, subject selection should focus on exploring interests and identifying strengths. It is not about choosing the “perfect” combination, but rather gaining exposure to different learning areas.

For students entering Year 11, subject choices play a more significant role in shaping future pathways. Decisions should first be informed by their intended career and then guided by the best pathway to this career (VCE or VCE-VM), course requirements, and individual strengths. We look forward to working closely with our Year 10 students and families as they plan for the final years of schooling.

Good luck to all of our students as they enter the end of this semester.

Adam Gonzalez
Deputy Principal - Learning and Teaching