By Jessica Anstice
VCE students and teachers across Cardinia Shire and Casey are breathing a collective sigh of relief after the first exam was held on Wednesday 10 November, under strict Covid-19 regulations.
After having done much of their preparation via remote learning, Year 12 students across the state sat their English exam on site with face masks on and socially distanced from one another.
For Berwick’s Nossal High School school captain Shalaaka, sitting the first exam was a milestone.
“It was good to get one out of the way. It was a hit and miss but overall I didn’t think it was too bad,” she said.
“I think having done the first one now, we know what to expect going into the others in terms of handling our nerves.”
Post exams, Shalaaka wishes to study law, global studies and foreign affairs.
School captain Kaaviyan acknowledged this year has been different and he and his cohort have faced many unique challenges and setbacks as a result of the pandemic.
He said one of the upsides of the pandemic was the support that was received from the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA).
“It’s been different. I’ve seen a lot of changes to the content in some of the subjects we’ve done this year,” Kaaviyan said.
“VCAA have taken some of the strain off us which has been helpful.
“I think Nossal High School has adapted pretty well to the challenges of remote learning, so I think the students are prepared quite well for exams this year.”
Kaaviyan’s dream is to study engineering at university.
Nossal High School principal Roger Page said the two school captains were “very modest” and did a “fantastic” job through the lockdown.
“They ran a lot of online programs and supported other students remotely too,” Mr Page added.
“The students did a lot of stuff themselves to keep the school community together and operating as a community.”
Students at Beaconhills College in both Berwick and Pakenham also had a “really positive” start going in to their VCE exams.
A college spokeswoman said students headed into exams with a feeling of “we’ve got this”, after months of preparation, hard work and determination to finish the year successfully.
“Students continued to learn through the periods of remote learning and have been incredibly grateful for the support from their teachers,” she said.
“Our students have demonstrated strength through adversity and we are all very proud of what they have accomplished this year.”
Minister for Education James Merlino congratulated VCE students who have persevered despite the many challenges and disruptions 2020 has thrown their way.
“Good luck to all students who are sitting VCE exams in what has been an extremely challenging year,” he said.
“Thank you to all students, their teachers and their families for their hard work, commitment and extraordinary resilience in the lead up to these exams.
“This has been a year like no other, and the class of 2020 should be especially proud of how far they have come and how much they have achieved.”
The VCE written exams will be conducted in compliance with the Victorian Chief Health Officer’s health and safety advice applying to schools and other venues at the time of the examinations.
Students can receive their 2020 results via email, the internet resultsandatar.vic.edu.au and the VCE Results and ATAR app from 7am on Wednesday 30 December.
