Learning and Teaching

NAPLAN

Just a reminder that NAPLAN tests for Year 7 and 9 students will be held on Tuesday 11 May, Wednesday 12 May and Thursday 13 May. Parents and students have received the Year 7 and 9 schedule via Xuno. On Monday, students will also be emailed a copy of the seating plan so that they can check where they are sitting. All NAPLAN tests will be held in the Multipurpose Centre.

Practice GAT

The General Achievement Test (GAT) is a test of general knowledge and skills in these broad areas; written communication, mathematics, science and technology, humanities, the arts and social sciences. GAT results do not count directly towards a student’s VCE results but are used to help check that school-based and external assessments have been accurately assessed, contribute to statistical moderation of school-based assessment results, help calculate Derived Examination Scores and can determine scores in school-based assessment, external assessment and if a derived examination score is required due to illness, accident and trauma.
Therefore, it is important that all students studying a Unit 3 and 4 subject are provided with an opportunity to complete a Practice GAT so that they are familiar with the type of assessment. The student’s writing section is also externally assessed to provide feedback in preparation for the ‘real’ GAT.

We will run an abridged GAT on Wednesday 12 May during period 5 and 6 and students will receive external feedback on their Writing section. The multiple choice section will also be provided via CANVAS.

Government Tutor Funding Program

You may be aware that all schools have been provided Government funding in response to COVID’s impact on student learning. This funding will enable schools to recruit tutors to deliver additional targeted teaching support to students in a way that best suits their local circumstances.

At Saint Ignatius College, we have allocated our funding to target Year 7 and 9 Numeracy, as well as Year 7 Literacy. We have employed two additional teachers; an experienced teacher of Literacy, Ms Penny King and Ms Delia Jenkins, an experienced teacher of Numeracy. Ms Penny King has commenced working with the Year 7 English team and classes to support the direct instruction of literacy strategies. This takes place in two of the four English periods for every Year 7 English Homeroom. Ms Delia Jenkins has commenced working with the Year 7 and Maths teams and classes to also support direct instruction of numeracy strategies. This will occur once or twice a week in every Year 7 and 9 Maths class depending on the timetable blocking.

Year 9 - 11 Semester One Examinations

Parents and students will receive a copy of their examination timetable next week. If a student has a clash, they will need to meet with their Level Coordinator to reschedule the examination.

Year 10 and 11 examinations commence on Thursday 10 June and conclude on Thursday 17 June. Year 9 examinations commence on Tuesday 15 June and conclude on Thursday 17 June. Friday 18 June is a student free day for staff correction.

Bernadette Donnelly Deputy Principal [Learning & Teaching]