It has been a busy few weeks for our senior school students. Our Year 12 Biology students attended an excursion at the Knox Innovation Opportunity & Sustainability Centre (KIOSC), to undertake practical work for their Unit 3 study. KIOSC is located at Swinburne University (Wantirna) and is recognised as our second campus. Additionally, our Year 11 and 12 Physics students attended an excursion to Luna Park, to gain some hands-on experience of force and motion. I’m not ‘fission’ for laughs, but we asked our students to pretend they were photon’s and travel light!
On Tuesday 5 March, our Year 11 and Year 12 students attended a Wellbeing Day as part of the delivery of the Respectful Relationships curriculum. The students listened to presentations and took part in activities led by the ‘Reach Foundation’ and ‘FVREE’. The purpose of the workshops were to allow young people to unpack their own definition of success and the leadership they want to embody before graduation. Students were encouraged to look at what they value, reflect on where they are now, and celebrate how far they have come. The workshops also focused on working with our students to support them to foster safe and respectful relationships with peers and family members.
Finally, a reminder to please check Compass ‘Learning Tasks’ for any upcoming assessment (Common Assessment Tasks – CATs and School Assessed Coursework – SACs). A reminder that ‘Coursework’ tasks are a requirement for students studying Unit 1 & 3 and must be completed at least 48 hours prior to SACs. Please contact either Ms Kuhne (Year 10 Team Leader) or Ms Henderson (Year 11 & Year 12 Team Leader) if you have any questions regarding assessment.
Bill Exton
Senior School Assistant Principal
VCE Biology visit to KIOSC
Its not every day you can make bacteria glow in the dark. Unit 3 Biology students visited KIOSC to learn about the techniques used to recombinant DNA technology to combine bacterial DNA with a human insulin gene. They then used a variety of genetic tools to confirm whether they were successful in combining the DNA. These tools are the same as those used in industry, which gives students hands-on, practical learning experiences. This process replicates the process used by pharmaceutical companies to produce human insulin using genetically-modified bacteria for people with Type I diabetes. This is an alternative to the historical way of sourcing insulin from cows and pigs, which has many ethical challenges. The techniques and the ethical challenges will be a great anchoring point for their learning about the concepts of DNA manipulation. All involved truly lived our values as a school of being respectful, acting responsibly and building relationships with the educators at KIOSC and students from Scoresby and Wantirna. It was a real honour to accompany them.
Careers communication
Every 2 weeks there will be a Compass Careers news publication, containing information about upcoming careers events for all members of the school community.
In addition regular compass posts will communicate special school events regarding careers at each level.
I would encourage all parents to logon to the Careers website and check out the wealth of information provided in one spot. fairhillscareers.com
Students will be using this website to develop their Career Action plan. Families are encouraged to work with and support their student in the development of this plan. Planning for the future helps to ensure goal realization.
Year 11 and 12 VCE Vocation Major
These Senior students have got off to a flyer with 80% of the cohort signed up for placement. Families are reminded that work placement is a key part of the VM program and enables students to gain valuable experience – a critical point of difference when they enter the job market.
Any student attending work placement must have all of the appropriate documentation completed.
The department Structured Workplace Learning Arrangement form provides the student with insurance and covers them under the Child Protection Act. It is a legal requirement and critical that these forms are completed before a student enters the workplace.
Congratulations to our 6 School Based Apprenticeship (SBAT), students who have not only secured great work placements but signed up to start their apprenticeship programs while at school.
Tom – Automotive Industry
Brodie – Carpentry
Tiason – Plastering
Dylan – Plumbing
Lochlan – Refrigeration
Callum – Plumbing
These amazing students will graduate with their VCE – VM plus hours/units towards their Apprenticeship and have a secure job to move straight into.
VET in School
All VET in school programs are now locked in for 2024.
Given the changes to the VCE timetable (providing all our students with more contact time), VET students will miss 1 or 2 classes each week to attend their VET. The expectation is that work missed must be completed in their own time. Staff are aware of this issue and will support our VET students to ensure they are successful in both their VCE and VET.
Year 9 My Career Insights – Morrisby assessment
My Career Insights is a program for all Year 9 students (or equivalent in specialist settings) in Victorian Government secondary schools.
Students will be given the opportunity to complete a series of questionnaires and quizzes accessed through the Morrisby website. They will then discuss their results with a Careers Consultant in a 30-minute one on one interview.
My Career Insights will help students discover, develop, and drive their career planning. It is a unique opportunity for students to learn more about their strengths and abilities while exploring potential career options giving them the confidence to start taking control of their future.
We will be delivering this program in the week of 29 April and 26 June. Watch this space.
Year 10 Work Experience 2024
All year 10 students are required to undertake 1 week of work experience in 2024.
Work experience is an important part of the Careers program, enabling students to experience an industry and learn more about what they want and need in from their future working life.
This program will run in the last week of Term 2, 24 June – 28 June.
Students a will be provided the resources they need in their Thrive Class.
It is critical that students start to research and lock down their placements now.
The following website can assist them in their search.
School to Work Home (education.vic.gov.au)
