Preparing the Flinders Year 12s for the Demands of the QCAA Exams

The Flinders Year 12 cohort began their QCAA External exams on Monday, 22 October.

The external assessments for General and General (Extension) subjects will be held from Monday 21 October to Tuesday 12 November 2024.

Flinders' 140 Senior students have been preparing for this challenge throughout their schooling journey, supported in Year 12 by dedicated teachers working across close to 40 subjects.

The Flinders curriculum is extensive and diverse, with subjects across the departments of English, Maths, Science, Humanities, Health and PE, Languages (French and Japanese), Technologies and The Arts as well as Vocational Education and Training (Business Diploma, Engineering Pathways and Aviation), Extension (English and Music) and Religious and Values Education.

Celebrating the End of the Year 12 Schooling Journey

The previous week at Flinders was full of special traditions and ‘lasts’ as the Class of 2024 marked the end of their schooling journey together and took some time to relax and have fun before their final exams.

There were final lessons and homerooms and a last Chapel service, complete with a final rendition of a favourite worship song. The Valedictory Dinner with their families was a special evening for the students, with academic and endeavour awards announced.

A highlight on Thursday, 17 October - their last day of lessons - was special time spent with the Preps on the oval. The Preps gave each Year 12 a heartfelt farewell gift—a beautifully designed heart stone and a touching poem. Then it was time for games, including taking turns racing on a giant inflatable water slide!

After a shared lunch, the Year 12s had special time as a cohort with water fun on Forrester Fields, all leading up to the final very emotional and resounding countdown together to the last bell.

College Principal Michelle Carroll wished the Class of 2024 well for their forthcoming period of study and final QCE examinations.

“As a College community, we have appreciated the student leadership and spirited energy our Year 12s have contributed this year," Ms Carroll said.

So far, 19 students have already had early tertiary offers. Over many years, the trend at Flinders is for almost all students (98% and above) to receive their first round tertiary offer.

Exam Preparation at Flinders

To prepare students for the rigour and demands of the QCAA External Assessments, the Senior School team provides students with many opportunities, including the following:

Mock Exams in Term 3, with the results and trends analysed to improve each student’s approach to their study and exam preparation
Access to a range of past papers and independently prepared versions to use for learning development
Access to the Senior Study Precinct as a quiet space for study, tutoring and support
Extra in-person tutoring before and after school.

The Flinders Leave Well Program

Flinders also encourages Senior students to build healthy study, wellbeing and organisational habits to guide them through their Internals and Externals and prepare for life beyond graduation.

The Flinders Leave Well Program helps students build the skills and awareness to enjoy their future learning opportunities, manage their lives, build healthy relationships and make a positive impact in their communities.

Students learn skills in:

being organised for study
supporting each other as a cohort
nurturing their health and wellbeing, for example by eating a nutritious diet, getting daily exercise and prioritising sleep
being prepared for exam sessions - eating well, managing their time, staying hydrated and having the approved exam items packed and ready
recognising their support network (family, peers and staff) and sharing any concerns early and often
applying for tertiary places or future study and career opportunities
setting goals and planning for study and life beyond graduation
applying for college residency, scholarships, bursaries and grants
learning how to write a CV and apply for a rental property or a car loan, for example, and
building a healthy mindset and self agency to be motivated, positive and resilient.

Students are also reminded that they are not defined by their ATAR number, so they must focus on doing their best and ensuring their health and wellbeing with support from their network of teachers, family and friends.