Kyneton High School

We want  to offer the KHS community a shiny new way of keeping up with everything happening at the school, and we hope you like the new format.  It may look a little rough around the edges to begin with but we're working hard on the polish so please stick with us!

The Victorian Department of Education has prioritised funding for high ability students called the Victorian High-Ability Program (VHAP).  This exciting initiative started last year in term four with one of our students selected to work in the English area. 

This term, two more of our students have been selected to work on the English VHAP program where they will meet online other pupils from surrounding secondary schools. 

The VHAPs that the department is delivering targets the specific strengths of the students as identified in a variety of test indicators.  These indicators are decided by the Education Department.  

This new program aligns with the Student Excellence program (previously known as the Gifted and Talented Program) with the aim to encourage staff and students to challenge each other and themselves academically. 

If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact us.

Cindy Bradford and Julie Carter Cindy.Bradford@education.vic.gov.au 

Welcome to the Year 11 and 12 VCE / VET / VCAL 2021 year!  This will be a demanding year for both students and families.  To assist you in making the most of this very important year we have organised an introductory evening where you will have the opportunity of meeting teachers and Year Level Leaders. We are running several sessions as follows:-

• DEBUTANTE BALL INFORMATION SESSION

Venue:            Boomerang Wing (B6)

Time:               Tuesday 16th February at 5.30 pm

We would like to invite all students interested in participating in this year’s Deb ball to attend the information session on Tuesday 16th February at 5.30pm. It is expected that all participants and their parents or guardians will attend this evening as we will be covering some important information regarding expectations, costs and procedures. If you are unable to attend this session it is very important that you see Ms Cox. All partners must also be attending the school. Students participating in the Deb must meet the 90% attendance requirement of the school and there must be a minimum of 20 debutantes to ensure the deb goes ahead.

• YEAR 11 VCE AND VCAL SESSIONS:

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR VCE & VCAL

Venue:            VCE Students - Boomerang Wing (B6)

Venue:            VCAL Students - Boomerang Wing (B1)

Time:               Tuesday 16th February at 6.00pm

The purpose of this evening is to provide students and families with information on what needs to be done both inside and outside of school.  Preparing for the future beyond school starts in Year 11.

The VCE Program is a two year program and Year 11 is the time for students to lay the foundation for a successful Year 12 and the ability to transition smoothly into employment, or further education and training.  You will receive information about:-

·         What is a SAC (School Assessed Coursework)

·         Scholarships

·         Open Days

·         ATAR and Study Scores

·         Early Offers

·         Resumes and Career Action Plans

·         Apprenticeships / Traineeships

·         Special Consideration

·         What is required of Year 11 Students

·         How you can support your child

Additionally, there are many Year 11 students who are completing a Year 12 subject this year.  Year 11 students and their families are therefore also invited to attend Year 12 Information session that their Year 12 subject is being discussed.  Please refer to the Program Timetable for individual subject session times.

The VCAL Program has consistently proven to be a very successful pathway for Kyneton High School students, with many leaving school at the end of Year 12 being offered full-time apprenticeships from their structured work placements and School Based Apprenticeships.  The VCAL information session will include information as follows:-

·         SBAT Opportunities

·         Structured Work Placement Information

·         Pathway Planning

·         Volunteering

·         Resumes and Career Action Plans

·         Learners Permit

·         Apprenticeships / Traineeships

• Year 12 VCE and VCAL Information Sessions:          6.30pm onwards

It is vital that everyone gets off to the best start possible in order to maximise their efforts and achieve exactly what they are aiming for when the final results arrive in December.  With this in mind we would like you and your student to attend the 10 minute information sessions for the subjects your student is completing. In doing so, you will have the opportunity to meet your student’s teachers. They will be able to give you a rundown of course expectations, assessment task requirements and timelines, helpful hints for success and an exam outline. These staff members will become a visible face to contact when things become stressful or when you need to clarify issues /seek advice. 

PROGRAM TIMETABLE:

On Thursday, 17th December, students selected by the education department took part in the online Victorian High- Ability Program (VHAP) Masterclass for cluster schools in the region.  High Ability Practice Leaders (HAPLs) and students from Roxburgh College, Sunbury College and Kyneton High School were involved in discussions comparing aspects such as government in utopian and dystopian societies. 

Mary-Anne Thomas MP, Labor Member for Macedon, also joined the video conference, spoke and inspired everyone with her own views of a utopian society.

Ms Thomas told the group that she enjoyed reading novels about dystopian society as a young person (just as students in the group had read and discussed the novel, “Hive” in their VHAP studies during the term).

Ms Thomas spoke about her vision of a fairer world and this was her driving factor in wanting to be involved decision making and politics.  Ms Thomas explained the Golden Rule – the basis of all religions - states “do to others what you would have them do to you” and said this was very important in establishing a society that was more utopian.

At the end of her presentation, Ms Thomas answered student questions and encouraged everyone to be our best selves and strive for a fairer world.

On behalf of the schools that took part in the Masterclass, we thank Ms Mary-Anne Thomas for her time and efforts in preparing and delivering such an informative and thought provoking presentation.

Masterclasses will be run at the end of each term during 2021.

We hope more schools will be involved in the future.

Cindy Bradford (and Julie Carter) HAPLs Kyneton High School