Year 11 Report

YEAR 11 ORATORY REPORT

Mrs Deborah Rabot | Year 11 Coordinator

What an interesting and unprecedented journey 2020 has been!

2020 was a year of solidarity and determination, as all Year 11 students not only had to tackle the demands of VCE and VCAL for the first time, but also the uncertainty of undertaking their studies via remote learning.

As this was my first year as Year 11 Coordinator with a group I hardly knew, I expected challenges. However, I took comfort in the knowledge that history would prove correct, and this group of boys would be an absolute pleasure to work with.

There’s no denying that it has been a whirlwind year for all students. For Year 11s the beginning of the year was filled with activities and the ‘usual’ business of school life. Boys passionately participated in Term One activities, including the Swimming and Athletics Carnivals, and commenced tryouts for ACC Sport. The boys had just enough time to set up the Peer Support Program and meet with their Year 7 buddies to forge relationships with them as their peers and mentors.

The Year 11 VCAL students commenced the year by creating and delivering a presentation to the Year 9 cohort about the VCAL program, to assist with their subject selection. Students were limited to completing the theory component of their VET course online, and continued to work feverishly on planned projects for the year, including preparing their soup kitchen project for Work Related Skills. However, this was to be interrupted by remote learning. I am immensely grateful to the 2020 VCAL team, Mrs Kathryn Zwalf, Mrs Emily Roach, Mr Paul Azar, Mr Steven Beckham and Mr Tim Cox for continually inspiring and supporting these boys to make the best of a bad situation.

As your Year Level Coordinator, I would like to congratulate all Year 11 students on the resilience you have demonstrated under such challenging circumstances. Whilst there have been many events and experiences that are part and parcel of being a Year 11 student, and that have been missed, I feel so incredibly proud of the way you have conducted yourselves and have risen to the challenge. Whether it be preparing for exams, online SACs, checking in on your Year 7 Buddies as part of the Peer Mentor Program, or simply just getting on with the business of everyday learning remotely, you have truly demonstrated a willingness to step up and prove yourselves.

The year has been equally demanding for staff, and on behalf of all Year 11 students I would like to thank all the teachers who have taught and encouraged the boys to give their best. In particular, I would especially like to acknowledge the dedication and support of the Year 11 Oratory team. The support and guidance of Miss Abby Milesi (11A), Mr Sam Bentley (11B), Mr Peter Bermingham (11C), Miss Emma Marsh (11D), Mr Dylan Chow (11E), Mr Stuart Hill (11F) and Mrs Emily Roach (11V) have ensured that all Year 11 students have been looked after and supported throughout this difficult time.

Although this has been a truly unique year, being Year 11 Coordinator in 2020 has been an extremely rewarding and enjoyable experience, and that’s thanks to many of you who have made my job so much easier. As our Year 11 students move into 2021, I would like to extend my congratulations to them on a year well done. If you got through 2020 unscathed, you can get through anything! I am extremely proud to have been a part of your Year 11 journey, and wish you all the best as you embark on your final year at Salesian.

YEAR 11 ORATORY REPORT

As your Year Level Coordinator, I would like to congratulate all Year 11 students on the resilience you have demonstrated under such challenging circumstances.