C A RWA THA CO L L E G E

P - 1 2

S E E H I G H - A CH I E V E R ' S

P ROGRAM

I N F O RMA T I O N

BOOK L E T

CON T EN T S

School contacts

Letter from Principal

Program Goals

The SEE Classroom

Year 7 & 8 SEE Curriculum

Year 9 SEE Curriculum

V3 Program .

7 SEE Instrumental Music

Student Leadership Opportunities

Recognising and Celebrating Learning

Application Process

Frequently Asked Questions

S C HOO L CON T A C T S

Principal

Junior School Leader

SEE Program

If you have any queries or concerns please do not

hesitate to call any of the following staff members on

9795 5848 or email them :

Mr Patrick Mulcahy

(patrick .mulcahy@education .vic .gov .au)

Mr Mitchell Hammond

(mitchell .hammond@education .vic .gov .au)

Ms Breanna Andrew

(breanna .andrew@education .vic .gov .au)

Dear Parents and Guardians,

At Carwatha College P-12 we strive to cater for all studentswithin our thriving learning community.

The SEE program has been developed to address theneeds of high achieving students who demonstrateacademic excellence, high levels of task commitment andoutstanding creativity. SEE stands for 'Succeed, Extendand Enhance' and these three words reflect our vision forvarious opportunities our high achievers will have at theirfinger tips every day at our College.

A ‘high achiever’ must be prepared to take on thechallenges offered, be willing to take risks and to set morechallenging goals.

Our high achieving students follow the VictorianCurriculum guidelines, however, work presented is moreintellectually challenging, allowing students todemonstrate skills at a level 6 - 12 months, where possible,beyond the expected level for their age.

Fore most in our thoughts when planning and deliveringthe program is to foster 21st Century learners, with a focuson inquiry-based learning, collaboration, critical thinkingand creativity. We know it is our College's responsibilityand privilege to prepare our students to be global citizensand for them to become positive contributors to theircommunity as adults.

I invite all families considering this outstandingopportunity to contact the College for more information .

Yours sincerely.

Mr Patrick MulcahyPrincipal Carwatha College P-12

F ROM T H E P R I N C I P A L

Develop deep understanding and critical thinkingskil lsEnhance their abil ity to work with more abstractand in-depth course materialBecome effective problem solversSuccessfully work as independent and co-operative learnersDevelop 21st century skil ls that are future-focusedEvolve into well-informed global citizensCreate pathways to success for their future studyand career aspirations

The program aims to allow students to:

P ROGRAM GOA L S

S E E C L A S S E S

Students selected for the program will be in a dedicatedSEE class alongside peers who have also demonstratedskills and achievement at or above the expected levelfor their age, in at least one of reading, writing,Mathematics or Science.

Students in the program are supported and carefullymonitored by the Assistant Principal (Curriculum), SEEProgram Leader, Junior School Leader and a team ofexpert teachers to ensure that their specific needs arecatered for.

To hear more about the philosophy ofthe program please access the videousing the QR code to the right.

In Years 7 and 8, our focus is to meet the diverse educationalneeds of our students by improving their outcomes in astimulating, supportive and enjoyable learning environment.Carwatha College P-12 prides itself on offering acurriculum that balances the key disciplines to provideopportunities for both rigorous academic learning and otherpursuits that allow students to be creative, healthy andcollaborative.

Students study both full year and semester lengthsubjects to give them variety and experiences todraw from to help them plan their future pathways.

Y E A R 7 & 8 S E E

C U R R I C U L UM

S T R U C T U R E

Year 9 is a crucial year in the development of youngpeople for them to achieve their academic potential.Research indicates that the habits and skills developedby young people in the Middle School years have adirect impact on their success at VCE.

It is during this year that our students begin to explorepossibilities for their future vocations, with questionsabout their directions and capabilities. They also havethe confidence and desire to engage in varyingeducational experiences to develop their individualinterests and abilities.

The Year 9 curriculum is tailored to prepare our SEEstudents for our V3 (VCE over 3 years) program and ourfocus is to continue to equip our students withcommunication, critical thinking and self regulatoryskills they will need to excel in their VCE studies.

Students study both full year and semester lengthsubjects in their developed interest areas.

Y E A R 9 S E E

C U R R I C U L UM

S T R U C T U R E

Head start with VCE studiesThe ability to pursue interest and strengthsTime to explore different and varied subjectsMaximises ATAR in Year 12

At Carwatha College P-12, all Year 10 studentsundertake an accelerated 3 year VCE program (V3).The College does not have a traditional Year 10 and allYear 10 students undertake four VCE Unit 1 and 2subjects and one special interest elective.

The V3 Program complements the learningexperiences and opportunities of the SEE program,and our students are able to take full advantage ofthis unique opportunity to begin their VCE journey inYear 10 and maximise their results in Year 12.

The Benefits of the V3 Program include:

V 3 P ROGRAM - A V C E

P ROGRAM F O R T H E

H I G H A CH I E V E R

A sample of a VCE course for a Year 10 student whohas been a member of the SEE program in Years 7-9.

Receive weekly lessons on their chosen instrumentfrom one of the College’s expert Instrumental MusicTeachersHave the opportunity to perform at a range ofCollege and Community events.Will be supported to join the College Junior Band

Music is one of the few activities that use boththe left and right side of the brain simultaneously.

Research has shown a link between childrenwho learn music and a musical instrument andincreased brain power.

Learning an instrument can improve spatial temporalreasoning (the foundations of Mathematics andScience). Learning music also enhances creativity andproblem-solving skills.

As part of the Year 7 SEE instrumental Music Programin Semester 2, all students:

There are no fees that are associated with this programand it is another opportunity we provide our students wthat enriches their experience at the College.

The benefits of learning an instrument:

Y E A R 7 S E E

I N S T R UMEN T A L MUS I C

P ROGRAM

At Carwatha College P-12, we believe it is important toempower students to be involved in everyday decisionsmade about teaching and learning that happens in theirclassrooms.

The Student Curriculum Team is comprised of studentsfrom Grade 5 to Year 12 who have chosen to join becausethey are passionate about being change makers, whowant their voice to be heard and wantevery classroom to be exciting gateways to knowledge.The team’s work is focused on building a schoolcommunity where teachers and students work togetherto make our great school even better. The students leadschool initiatives about learning, run sessions withteachers and work with their peers to bring studentperspective on learning to the forefront of the College'severyday work.

S T U D EN T L E A D E R S H I P

O P POR T UN I T I E S

Students wil l be given the opportunity to representtheir SEE class as a form captain. Nominations aretaken and students are encouraged to campaign forthe position by demonstrating to their peers theirsuitabil ity for the role. The captains wil l be involved inorganising events, supporting the Year LevelCoordinator, and leading their peers within theclassroom. These elections will take place in Term 1.

F O RM C A P T A I N S

The SRC is made up of students from all levels and allclasses. They meet regularly to develop programs thatmeets te needs of the larger student body. Juniorschool students wil l have the opportunity to becomeSRC representatives through an election process.

S T U D EN T R E P R E S E N T A T I V E

COUN C I L

S T U D EN T C U R R I C U L UM T E AM

Student in the SEE program are encouraged to pursueleadership opportunities at the College so that they learn toidentify and display effective communication andinterpersonal skills.

R E COGN I S I N G AND

C E L E B RA T I N G L E A RN I N G

An important element of our College culture is that weproudly celebrate the achievements of our students, andwe do it often.  This includes achievement in the areas ofacademic improvement or excellence, sporting successesor musical endeavours.   We believe that celebrating theseachievements, especially of our SEE students, is asignificant driver for student motivation, self-esteem, and for creating a positive classroom culture.   

At the end of Term 1 and 3, all students in Year 7-12receive mid-semester Progress Reports. These reportsreflect each student’s learning growth made during thatterm. A Grade Point Average, or GPA, is included in theprogress reports. A student’s GPA is calculated on theirachievement in the three areas of assessment - academicprogress, attitude to work and behaviour.   For each areaof assessment, i f students have been assessed at anoutstanding level they receive 4 points, with fewer pointsallocated as they progress down a scale.

A final GPA, a number between 0 and 4, represents astudent’s average achievement in each of these threeareas across all of their classes. A result of 3.2 or moremeans that a student has averaged excellent oroutstanding across all subjects. Students who meet thisstandard are recognised for upholding our school values.The message we share with all our students is that effort,good work habits and setting goals to improve, are allsignificant indicators of success. 

G PA

HONOUR S AWARD S

Each semester, high achieving students from Years 7-12, who have demonstrated academic excellence,receive Honours Awards. To be eligible for a semesteraward for a subject, a Year 7 to 9 student has toaverage an ‘excellent’ or ‘outstanding’ for the CommonAssessment Tasks in the subject.A V3 student has to average 80% or more for SchoolAssessed Coursework in a subject.   Any student whohas achieved honours in the majority of their subjectsreceives an Honours award at a special assembly at theend of Term 2 and Term 4.

Our College Awards Night is held in December of eachyear, where we share and celebrate with ourcommunity, the achievements and talents of ourstudents. It reinforces, in a real way, the values thatwe as a college work so hard to instil l .

Students who have excelled in academic pursuits,extracurricular activities and leadership rolesare  proudly invited to attend the evening with theirfamilies and friends. Each invited student is formallyintroduced to the audience where they are presentedwith their award. it is always one of the most enjoyableevents of the school year.

AWARD S N I G H T A T

D RUM T H E A T R E

A P P L I C A T I O N P RO C E S S

Grade 5 NAPLAN results,Grade 5 Semester 2 & Grade 6 Semester 1 reports (ifavailable), andStudent-written letter outlining why they would like tojoin the program

Year 7 NAPLAN resultsYear 7 or 8 Reports as applicable, andStudent-written letter outlining why they would like tojoin the program

Year 7 NAPLAN demonstrates at or above achievementin at least one of the core areas.Year 7 or 8 Semester Reports demonstrates at or above achievement in one of the core areas. GPA average of 3.2 or moreEndorsement by two teachersStudent-written letter outlining why they would like tojoin the program

The application is a three-step selection process designedto identify students for whom this type of program isappropriate.

Parents and guardian are invited to submit an applicationform which includes the followingcompulsory documentation:

Year 7 prospective students

Year 8 and 9 (new to Carwatha College P-12)

Year 8 and 9 (current Carwatha College P-12 students)

Note: Core areas include reading, writing, Mathematicsand Science.

Step 1

Step 2

New students to the College wishing to join the SEEprogram entering Year 7, 8 or 9 will then be contacted toparticipate in a High Ability Selection Test at the College ata time and date to be advised. Details of the date and timewill be advertised each year. This test will further assist thecollege to determine whether a student has the academicskills to allow them to fully benefit from the program.

Current Year 7 and 8 students wishing to transfer to theprogram at Year 8 and 9 will complete the same testingduring school hours.

Step 3

Upon consideration of all aspects of the applicationprocess, successful students/parents will receive a letterearly Term 3 advising whethertheir child has been successful in their applicationfor the SEE program.

Please note for prospective Year 7 students:

Sitting the test does not automatically secureenrolment at Carwatha College P-12.“The Department ofEducation Year 6 to Year 7 Transition: Application forYear 7 Placement” Form must still be submitted to theYear 6 Coordinator at your Primary School.

S E E P ROGRAM

PA S T R E S U L T S

STUDENTS' LEARNING GROWS FASTER AT OUR COLLEGE

Carwatha College P-1243 - 81 Browns Road

Noble Park North 31749795 5848