AS THE school year comes to an end, Penola High School Year 11 students are already working towards their final chapter of school education.
Last week, next year’s prospective graduates went through an extensive transition, introducing them to what is expected throughout Year 12.
Penola High School Year 11 student Kate Skeer expected a challenging 2019.
“It has not been too bad so far, but I think next year will be quite a shock,” Ms Skeer said.
“But because we are doing fewer subjects and more of the ones we like, we will be able to enjoy the year more.
“I have chosen two completely new subjects, which is exciting.”
Already introduced to South Australian Certificate of Education assignments, Year 11 student Brooke Hutchesson expects the workload to increase.
“We have been introduced to basically everything throughout this week,” Ms Hutchesson told The Pennant last week.
“Next year we will have more assignments, but now we are just getting the information about them.
“The jump from Year 10 to 11 was big with the inclusion of SACE, so now we are prepared for Year 12.”
Ms Hutchesson has chosen her subjects based on her Year 11 studies.
“I wanted to choose something I enjoy,” she said.
“It is going to be stressful, but not to the point where I do not know what I am doing.
“The subjects you enjoy more are those you are more likely to excel in.”
Ms Skeer has chosen subjects that keep her “options open”.
“When we were choosing our subjects, we were told to choose the ones we will do better in and will be most enjoyable,” Ms Skeer said.
“I chose subjects that keep my options open as I do not really know what I want to do after next year.”
Ms Skeer is looking forward to the flexibility and freedom of only being at school when she has classes.
Ms Hutchesson is looking forward to mentoring Year 11 students and having more time with teachers.
“You get more one-on-one time throughout Year 12 because the classes are even smaller than what we had in the past,” Ms Hutchesson said.
“Year 11 and 12 students generally merge for some lessons so it will be interesting to see what the Year 11s are like.
“I will try and help the Year 11s as the Year 12s helped us this year.”
Both Ms Hutcherson and Ms Skeer are already looking forward to their graduation celebration at the end of next year.
Penola High School VET co-coordinator and teacher Kathleen Phillips said some students had adapted very quickly.
“We will eventually have all students on the same page as some take longer than others,” Ms Phillips said.
“They have received an idea of how their courses are going to be structured and what to expect.”
Penola High School Year 11 organiser Winsley Wighton was involved with preparing the transition week.
“It is great that most of the students are getting to school when they should be and are rocking up to the right class,” she said.
“I think they have been looking forward to Year 12 for a long time, so now they can finally enjoy it.”
