Reports and subject selection

As we approach the end of Semester 1, we wanted to bring your attention to a couple of important pieces of information regarding reports and subject selection, while also wishing you a safe and enjoyable break with your loved ones.

Semester 1 Reports

Reports for Semester 1 will be available from Friday 23 June. These reports will provide a comprehensive overview of your student's achievements from assessment tasks, as well as indicate their progress in the Victorian Curriculum. Please note that the reports will not include comments this time. We encourage you to access PAM and SIMON Learning Areas for explicit feedback specific to each assessment.

We would like to remind you that the College has introduced Social Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies, which will be an ongoing practice in our reporting cycle. To support you in promoting these skills at home, we have provided several guides and support documentation. We encourage you to refer to these resources, including the SEL Success Criteria and how the continuum is presented in PAM knowledge banks.

If you have any questions or require further clarification regarding the reports, we encourage you to reach out to your student’s Teacher Advisor (TA) or Subject Teacher. Awards for
Semester 1 will be distributed in Term 3.

Subject Selection and Pathways 2024

We would like to invite you to an important event on Tuesday 18 July, from 5.30pm to 8.00pm. This event aims to provide you and your student with an opportunity to participate in workshops that will clarify any queries related to subject and pathways selection for 2024. You will also have the chance to request further information from the Learning Areas about the subjects offered and their requirements. Additionally, careers assistance and direction will be available to support your student in exploring career options and pathways.

To further support students, we will be hosting a Student Careers, Subject Selection, and Pathways expo during lunchtime between 18 and 21 July. This expo aims to provide additional guidance and ignite discussions at home about future pathways.

Please note that students in Years 8-11 will be inputting their subject choices during their TA period on Tuesday 1 August. They will have access to the 2024 Subject Selection and Pathways Handbook in the first week of Term 3. Further information will be communicated by the Careers team at Damascus.

Term 3 Interviews (Monday 24 – Wednesday 26 July)

The Term 3 interviews play a crucial role in facilitating subject selections and providing guidance on future pathways for our students. Subject teachers, who have extensive knowledge of your student's academic performance and progress, are best positioned to offer invaluable feedback and guidance during these interviews. The interviews will continue to focus on the development of Social Emotional Learning competencies, which is at the heart of our College’s commitment to ensuring our students strive to Be Their Best.

For Term 3, we are offering the following options for families:

• Year 7-10: Teacher Advisor (TA) Interviews

We will be conducting TA interviews for Years 7-10 students, capitalising on the TA’s role in fostering social-emotional growth, particularly for Year 7s. This will also provide an opportunity for Year 8-10 students to receive guidance as they navigate the process of selecting electives for 2024. Each TA interview will be scheduled for 10 minutes, with an additional 3 minutes allocated for changeover.

• Years 11-12: Subject Interviews

Subject interviews will be conducted for students in Years 11 and 12, focusing on future pathways based on subject selections. Each subject interview will be scheduled for 10 minutes, with an additional 3 minutes allocated for changeover. We would like to emphasise the importance of parents and carers attending subject interviews for Year 11 and 12 students. Research has shown that your presence and involvement during these interviews can be an effective catalyst in enhancing academic performance and supporting your student's educational journey. Your valuable insights and guidance can make a significant impact on their future success.

Official correspondence regarding TA interviews will be sent out to families in the first week of Term 3.

Year 10 TA Interviews: Signing up for Vocational Major and VET Subjects.

We would like to emphasise the importance of attending TA interviews for Year 10 students, particularly those who are considering pursuing a VCE Vocational Major (VM) and/or VET subject. We highly recommend that Year 10 students come onsite for their interviews to ensure a comprehensive discussion regarding their academic and career pathways.

Following the TA interviews, we have arranged for the Careers and Applied Learning team to be available in the St Martin Resource Centre. They will provide valuable support to students and families in the application process for acquiring their Universal Student Identifier (USI) number, which is a mandatory requirement for VET and VM courses.

By signing up on the day of the interviews and engaging with the Careers and Applied Learning team, students significantly increase their chances of acceptance into their desired VET courses for the upcoming academic year, 2024.

Parents/Carers will be provided with additional information on how to visit the SMRC before or after the interviews.

We believe that these interviews and events will greatly assist in making informed decisions about subject choices and pathways for your student's future. We highly encourage your active participation and engagement.

Thank you for your ongoing support, and we wish you a safe and enjoyable holiday break with your families. We look forward to a successful Semester 2.