From the Senior Years
On Friday 31 October, Year 11 student leaders supported the College initiative to present cards of thanks to all College teaching staff as part of World Teachers’ Day. Teachers were delighted to receive these expressions of thanks and this reflects the strong connections between students and their teachers. The teacher-student working partnership is a core component of student connection to school.
School connectedness is recognised in research literature as a crucial ingredient supporting students’ academic motivation and performance. Strong working partnerships with teachers, where learning is at the centre, have powerful impacts on student learning. Additionally, positive connections with the school as an institution is recognised in research as a significant factor in wellbeing outcomes for students and is a preventative factor to risk-taking behavior. School connectedness is built on the Mercy foundation of respect, compassion and hospitality – all of which are central in developing strong working partnerships in the VCE years. As students in Year 11 approach their examinations and the ‘Step Ahead’ program, I encourage them to continue to build on their relationships.
With Year 11 Unit 2 classes ending on Friday 31 October, students in the VCE pathway are now engaged in their Unit 2 school-based examinations. Put simply, school-based examinations are more than tests. They are opportunities to reflect on growth and understanding that students have developed over the course of the semester, or indeed in over the course of the year in more cumulative skill based subjects, such as languages or mathematics.
Examinations offer students an important opportunity to put in place revision strategies to prepare consistently over time. They also bring these elements together, encouraging students to apply what they have learned in new contexts. Exams also foster self-discipline, preparation over time, time management and resilience — qualities that extend beyond the classroom. While exams can be challenging, they offer a sense of achievement and closure, marking the end of one stage and the beginning of another. Ultimately, examinations are important measures for students to show how far they have come in their learning and preparing them for future success.
Finally, the Year 11 students reviewed a design prototype of the 2026 Year 12 College scarf. As is the case with the design process, there are always alternations and refinements to make prior to going into production. There were some adjustments to the following areas:
- Alignment to lighter navy to match the 2026 VCE jumper gifted to all VCE students
- Improvement to the fabric to increase opacity
- A simplified and enlarged knitted College crest
- An enlarged embroidered College crest (as an option)
- Narrowing of the white stripe which borders the College crest design
These adjustments have been communicated to Noone and we look forward to seeing an updated design for Year 11 students to accept and approve. While this is a change from previous years, the Year 12 scarf will no doubt be a treasured item of their final year.
Tom Crowle
Senior Years Leader