Secondary

Literacy

Literacy skills are taught in all subjects across the College. Additionally, all students in years 7 – 9 (mainstream) at Manor Lakes College (secondary) participate in 1 hour per week of targeted literacy lessons. Students who are in the Enrichment program participate in alternative co-curricular learning.

Students are grouped into 3 levels of ability groups, based on teacher feedback, NAPLAN results and report data.

The different groups each have a slightly different focus, which provides targeted support for students’ particular literacy requirements. These groups are reviewed each term and adjusted according to student performance and need.

In literacy lessons students participate in learning activities designed to improve their spelling, reading fluency and comprehension, and writing skills.

How can I help my child to improve their literacy?

Online resources

There are some great websites that children can be encouraged to use that will help with their literacy:

http://textadventures.co.uk/

https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/weblog/2010/07/20-sites-to-improve-your-childs-literacy.html

The magic of 15 minutes: Reading practice and reading growth

Overview of Literacy Strategies used at Manor Lakes College (Secondary)

The SMART approach to Vocabulary

The SMART approach to vocabulary is a way to learn new words and improve spelling. It can work for all words and all subjects. It is about recognising which letters make different sounds and how these fit together.

S – SAY the word

M – Understand the MEANING of the word

A – ANALYSE the parts of the word: Syllables, Sounds, Letters

R – REMEMBER which part of the word might be tricky when you need to spell it

T – TEACH the word to someone else

Reading Strategies

Question-Answer Relationships (QARS)

QARS is a way of helping you to understand different types of questions that you are asked about a piece of text. There are 4 levels of questions:

• Right-There questions
• Think and Search questions
• Author and You questions
• On Your Own questions

Right-There questions: You can find the answer to these questions in the text. Usually you can copy the answer directly from the text.

Think and Search questions: You need to take information from different parts of the text, think about it, and put it together to make a meaningful answer.

Author and You questions: You need to make a connection between the information in the text and your own life. You need to understand the information in the text to be able to answer these questions.

On Your Own questions: These questions relate to the topic of the text. You need to use your own knowledge to answer these questions.

Sports and Leadership Development Program (SLD)

Purpose vision and values:

Purpose: To develop each student athlete to maximise their potential athletically, academically and in citizenship.

Vision: To be recognised and highly regarded as a high-performance sport and education school in the western suburbs of Melbourne.

Values: Athlete development/sports academy students will operate under the motto

• Dream: of a better future
• Believe: in a pathway to achieve it
• Achieve: greatness through hard work

Structure:

The Sports and Leadership Development Program (SLD) is a program for students who are interested in developing essential skills and knowledge of – what it means to be a leader within the sporting community. Students will explore the fundamentals and develop an insight into the running of competition-based sports and the development of athletes. 

Sports and Leadership Development covers a wide range of theory, practical and hands-on learning including – basic first aid training, growth mindset, public speaking, and opportunities to complete coaching courses. 

Students from a variety of sporting fields are encouraged to apply for this program.  

Administration

2024 Information

https://sites.google.com/manorlakesp12.vic.edu.au/mlc-sld

Applications for Sports Leadership Development program for Year 7, 2024 will open Monday August 21, 2023.

Applications close on Friday August 25, 2023.
If you have have any questions please email manor.lakes.p12@education.vic.edu.au 

Sports Academy

In 2021 Manor Lakes P-12 College is proudly offering an extracurricular sporting program focusing on student athlete development and sporting career pathways – The Sports Academy.

Students are able to take part in the program through a select entry process, and must demonstrate excellent athletic abilities, outstanding behaviour and dedication to their academics.

Sports Academy students will operate under the motto of “dream of a better future, believe in a pathway to it, achieve greatness through hard work.”

The program specialises in Seven sports- Rugby League, Australian Rules Football, Netball and Basketball, Soccer, Cricket and Volleyball

Homework Club

Upcoming test to revise for? Missed some classes due to illness? Assignments due in soon? Keen to put your best foot forward and get those top marks? Struggling with a particular concept or topic?

Once a week for an hour after school, teachers are available in the Eyre Library to help students out with their homework or study. This is an opportunity for students get the additional help they need to stay on top of their homework commitments or go the extra mile with their independent study. No sign-up is required, so students can opt-in based on their own need, but for those who choose to attend, an attendance roll is kept.

Speak to your teachers at any point throughout the year to find out when the Homework Club is running.

WEYA Drama

Manor Lakes School Production – with Western Edge Youth Arts (WEYA)

Manor Lakes College promotes cultural activities such as drama and the arts and we are proud of our yearly school production. In 2019 the number of students participating increased to 30, including students interested in backstage and technical support. We also sold out two evening shows in our 2019 production of Romeo and Juliet. The fact so many people – families, teachers and friends – came to the show was exactly why the program is so important, as it build’s our community’s culture of pride, excitement and joy.

WEYA delivers community-based theatre programs for young people aged 10-25, across Melbourne’s western metropolitan region. Propelled by the values of inclusivity, access, equity, respect, transparency, and safety, WEYA’s purpose is to empower young people, particularly those from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds, to tell their own stories, in their own way, and with their own voice. WEYA does this by providing a cost free, safe and supportive space for young people to explore their creativity, learn new performance practices, and develop their leadership skills.

It is hard to explain the journey our students went on to create their own production of Romeo and Juliet. The team were humbled by how they worked together, listened to each other, cheered each other on in rehearsal, and supported each other backstage and in performance. This is not an easy thing to achieve. The staff of WEYA are exceptionally skilled at leading rooms with confidence, care, enthusiasm and respect. WEYA’s model of a Lead Artist and two Support Artists on each program is revolutionary. The involvement of young Support Artists allows our students to engage in a whole other way, with inspiration from peers stepping into the industry. It keeps the program young, fresh and relevant.

The learnings for our students went far beyond performance skills. They learned to hold space for each other, and how to talk about the difficult realities of racism, sexism, classism, violence, poverty, mental health and more. This focus came from the students who wanted to talk about and explore complex issues in the play. WEYA staff facilitated this with professionalism and crafted it into a brilliant production that was the sum of all our student’s parts: funny, quirky, gut-punching and full of heart. WEYA allows students not only to feel like superstars on the stage, but also demonstrate the value of friendship and community.

We are all so excited already to start our next production with WEYA in 2020! And hope many more students take part each year! We hope to see you there

Enrichment

Enrichment Curriculum

VCE

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)

Manor Lakes College offers a broad and versatile VCE program to cater for the diversity of student pathways. Based on the widely promoted premise that VCE is a University pathway, students can choose from VCE studies that provide entry into the full spectrum of University courses. These VCE studies (offered each year and run based on numbers) comprise those from the Mathematics and Sciences, Humanities, Technology, Foreign Languages (through VSL), the Arts and Performance, Health and PE and English/EAL/Literature. All students receive extensive course counselling to ensure that interests and aspirations are understood and used to shape individual programs.

Students have access to VCE studies from Year 10 through our Early Commencement Program, the purpose of which is to maximise their ATAR score. A range of Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs are also available to complement VCE programs and students in Year 12 (and some Year 11 students) are given a block of Study Hall time to maximise on campus opportunities to liaise with teachers/receive assistance/study on site. We also work in conjunction with the Victorian School of Languages and Virtual Schools Victoria to offer a wide range of subjects to cater for the needs and interests of all students.

Individual programs for VCE can be developed on a needs basis by contacting the VCE/VCAL Leading Teacher.

How VCE Works

Studies and Units
It is important to understand the difference between a study and a unit.

A study is a sequence of half year units in a particular curriculum area such as English, History, or Maths. Most of the studies will be comprised of four parts or units.

Each unit will be for a semester (half year). Usually Units 1 and 2 are taken in Year 11 and Units 3 and 4 in Year 12. Units 1 and 2 can be taken separately but Units 3 and 4 must be taken as a sequence.

What a Student must do to Achieve their VCE
Over the two years of study, a student must satisfactorily complete a total of at least 16 units. Most students will attempt 12 units in Year 11 and 10 units in Year 12.
Included in the units that are satisfactorily completed must be:

• At least three units from the English group with at least one unit at Unit 3 or 4 level.
• Three sequences of Units 3 and 4 studies other than English which may include any number of English sequences, once the English requirement has been met.

Unit Outcomes
Each VCE unit includes a set of two to four outcomes. These outcomes must be achieved for satisfactory completion of the unit. Achievement of the outcomes is based on the teacher’s assessment of the student’s performance on assessment tasks designated for the unit.
Satisfactory completion of units is determined by the school, in accordance with the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) requirements. When you have satisfactorily completed at least 16 units, including the units described in the bullet points above, you will be awarded your VCE.

VCAL

VCAL at Manor Lakes College:

The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (The VCAL) is a senior secondary certificate undertaken in Years 11 and 12.
Students who complete the VCAL at Manor Lakes College are very closely course counselled and must present as having a strong pathway in mind in order to be accepted in to our program. The VCAL at Manor Lakes College is for students seeking a vocational pathway on completion of school (this might include further education and training, employment, an apprenticeship or a traineeship).

Manor Lakes College offers the VCAL at all three of the levels (Foundation, Intermediate and Senior). Students are placed in to a certificate level based on their academic level and the level of support they require in the class room.

A typical week for a student completing VCAL at Manor Lakes College is:

In accordance with VCAA policy and guidelines, in order to successfully complete the VCAL program, students must successfully meet learning outcomes in the strands of: Literacy, Numeracy, Personal Development Skills, Work Related Skills. Students enrolled in the Intermediate and Senior VCAL certificate’s must also successfully meet the unit requirements for an enrolled VET course.

VET

VET at Manor Lakes College:

Vocational Education and Training (VET) allows students to include vocational studies within their senior secondary certificate. VET can give students workplace skills for a career they are passionate about. Every year, more than 50 000 secondary students across Victoria participate in a VET course. VET is a compulsory component of the VCAL program.

Cost

VET programs at Manor Lakes college incur additional charges on top of the regular booklist and school fees. Fees range from no cost to $600 depending on the course itself and materials required. Non payment of VET programs by the required date will result in withdrawal from the VET course.

Withdrawal

VET courses run over all four terms of the school year. Students are encouraged to choose their VET course wisely as withdrawal from a VET program after the final census date with require full payment for the VET to be made.

Course Locations, code of conduct and absence:

VET courses are delivered at various venues including Manor Lakes college, other local secondary schools, Trade Training Centres and TAFE’s. Students from Manor Lakes College attending a course off campus must wear full college uniform and continue to abide by the college code of conduct of both our college, and also the location they are attending. It is the responsibility of the student to catch up on any missed work in the event of absence from class. VET attendance contributes to the VCAA attendance requirements of both VCE and VCAL.

Student Leadership & Peer Mediators

Who to see for support/more information:
Assistant Principal Penelope Owens; LT Mal Yanni

Further information regarding college processes can be found on the student leaders roles and responsibilities google slides:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1XT0cwjNMUDcSEXEBshrj6gbToNNsKUJHI7mUUP3UXU/edit#slide=id.p

The student leadership team comprises of x2 Year 12 Captains and x2 Year 11 Deputy Captains. The remainder of the student leadership team are organised within house groups; Freeman, Paterson, Hollows and Cowan house. Within each house group there is an assigned cultural and sports leader. With staff support, they will be responsibility for at least 1 major event at the college. All student leaders will be assigned to a Year 7 or 8 home group to assist with morning duties and support junior student to be prepared for learning. On Friday mornings the team will attend home group with a member of the Principal team or the Leading Teacher of Student Agency and Engagement so that they can voice any issues or concerns within the student cohort and feel supported in their role. All effort will be made to ensure that the student leaders’ academic programme is not disrupted through performing their duties.

Peer mediators are comprised of Year 9 & 10 students who have shown exceptional leadership abilities. With YLC and HOS support they will conduct peer mediations for minor conflicts and offer their peer strategies to resolve conflict other than verbal abuse and violence. They will be easily identified in the yard and assist duty staff to manage low level peer conflict. Peer mediators will receive training and support through external consultants, our school counsellors and other members of our wellbeing team

Careers & Pathways

Careers at Manor Lakes P-12 College

Career Development is the process of managing life, learning and work over the lifespan. Manor Lakes P-12 College strives to raise student aspirations and help every individual to fulfil their potential. Assistance is given to identify pathways, over come barriers and prepare for the demands of a working life. Each student is given the opportunity to develop the skills needed for successful planning and managing of their futures.

The College has qualified Careers Practitioners who work with students to help them make informed choices about their subjects and identify their pathways and transition needs. Manor Lakes P-12 College focuses intently on the development of our students as learners and as people. There are many opportunities to participate in activities that encourage self-knowledge, understanding the link between school and the world of work and goal setting. This allows them to make informed decisions and the best career choices.

The College takes a whole school approach to careers education. Teachers have access to planned lessons which are complimented by activities, incursions, visiting speakers and workshops.

​Careers Portfolios are created for individual students in secondary years. Individual portfolios will track and record student achievement within school and their community. Examples will include documentation collected from careers investigations, aspirations, transitions, research, skills and abilities and on going career action plans.

The Careers and Pathways Learning area is found in the Eyre building. It provides:

• Digital Career Action Plans for each student in years 7-12 through the careers website
• Timetabled Pathways & Career’s classes
• 1:1 counselling
• Careers Resource Room
• Study Camps, Year level preparation events and orientation weeks
• Excursions and incursions with Tertiary Institutions & Work Place representatives
• Career themed events and workshops
• Trade Taster experiences
• Subject selection information sessions
• Course/VTAC Counselling
• Connections with support agencies, access to training and job seeking assistance
• Work Placement opportunities and compulsory Work Experience at year 10
• Careers Vocational Testing
• Further education and employment related expos, events and excursions
• Current University, TAFE and Tertiary course information
• Scholarships, Special Entry Access Schemes, Job Applications and Resume’ support

Careers Website

Our college careers website is a central hub for all information and resources pertaining to career development including:

* Careers newsletters

* Careers related events calendar

* Work place learning

* Information about VCE/VCAL/VTAC

* Post school options

* Information for parents

* Student hub including the Student Secure Area

Annual Careers Events

• Year 10 Work Experience in term 3
• Year 10 Career Seminar Series
• VCE-VCAL Information/Preparation nights
• Year 10-12 Course Counselling/Conformation Days
• VTAC Information sessions
• Smith Family Work Inspirations at the Hilton Hotel
• Year 9-11 Careers classes
• Year 7-8 Career Themed Weeks
• SEAS/Scholarship Presentations
• WRICA careers expo at Werribee Racecourse
• Western Metro TIS
• Deakin Engagement and Access Program: grade 4 – year 10
• Shape your destiny-motivational workshop
• Dress for success-presentation for Work Experience
• University experience days
• RSA, Food Handling, White card, barista, OH&S – Training offered

Careers Newsletter

This is published each week in the secondary newsletter.