Senior School Life
A Day in the Life
Senior School life is structured to support students as they develop greater independence, responsibility, and academic focus. This page provides an overview of the key routines, expectations, and organisational elements that shape the day-to-day experience of students in the Senior School.
The Shape of the Day
Key Information
Late Arrivals
Students who arrive late to school (after 8.30am) must sign in at Senior School Reception.
ACS Dismissal
Dismissal times for ACS students may vary. Please check the weekly sports outline for specific dismissal times, published in Compass via the Newsfeed.
Class Timetables
The College operates on a two-week timetable cycle - Week A and Week B.
As there may be some variation in a student's Week A and Week B routine, we recommend students familiarise themselves with their timetable and make appropriate uniform choices each day.
Timetables are located on a student's Compass profile, under 'Schedule'.
With a balance of focused class time and regular breaks to recharge, our daily schedule is designed to help students thrive both in the classroom and in the school yard.
The school day begins at 8.30am and concludes at 3.25pm. Senior School students are encouraged to arrive at school by 8.25am and enter their classroom at 8.30am, ready for roll call and to prepare for timetabled lessons which commence from 8:40am.
Senior School Timetable
Home Group: 8:30 - 8:40
Period 0: 8:40 - 9:05
Period 1: 9:05 - 9:55
Period 2: 9:55 - 10:45
Recess: 10:45 - 11:15
Period 3: 11:15 - 12:05
Period 4: 12:05 - 12:55
Lunch: 12:55 - 1:45
Period 5: 1:45 - 2:35
Period 6: 2:35 - 3:25
Attendance
It is expected that students will attend all scheduled classes and school commitments. All VCE units involve at least 50 hours of scheduled classroom instruction. A student needs to attend sufficient class time to complete work. Work done in class time is necessary to allow student material to be authenticated.
At Overnewton, students must attend 90% of timetabled classes for each Unit. Failure to meet this attendance benchmark may jeopardise a student’s ability to satisfy the requirements to demonstrate an ‘S’ for the Unit.
It is expected that all students will inform the VCE Coordinator, as soon as they are able, of absences due to illness which cause them to miss an assessment task or SAC. This is to be in writing and with supporting medical or specialist documentation. For all absences, as per the school rules, an attendance note is to be added to Compass by 8.30am on the day of any absence by a student’s parent or guardian.
Home Leave Arrangements (Year 12 only)
Home Leave may only be taken by students who have no further classes or commitments for the day.
Students who do not have classes at the end of the day but who must remain at School for ACS sport or music rehearsal should spend that time studying. This should be done in the library. Under no circumstances is such time to be spent socialising.
All students are to be at school for morning Mentor, Pastoral Care sessions, Chapel and Assemblies. They are to attend timetable Private Study groups in the library when they do not have a class in Period 1. There is no ‘late arrival’ Home Leave in Periods 1-5.
Types of Home Study
Knowledge Consolidation:
Consolidation in the educational context refers to the process of revising and reinforcing information pertaining to a recently covered topic in class. This involves:
Spaced and retrieval practice: engaging in tasks assigned by the teacher which are specifically designed to commit learning to long term memory. This may include the use of flashcard and completing quizzes.
Elaboration tasks: activities intended to review and develop knowledge, through consolidating study notes or making mind-maps.
Revision tasks: completing practice questions and writing tasks that specifically rehearse examination skills.
Research and Knowledge Development:
This type of homework typically requires students to utilise various resources, such as books, articles, online databases, and other educational materials, to collect relevant data and deepen their understanding of subject content.
Wider Reading:
Proficient reading skills are indispensable for a student's academic achievement and future endeavours. Emphasising the significance of home reading, the College advocates for daily reading habits across all age groups to foster continual growth in literacy.
As part of the Senior School English and Literature programs, students will be assigned texts that serve as the foundation for much of their learning. It is essential for students to read these texts before starting a new unit to fully participate in classroom activities.
These readings may be assigned during holiday periods. Reading beyond the classroom remains crucial in the senior years, as it reinforces learning, supports critical thinking, and deepens students’ comprehension and analysis of complex material.
Home Study Expectations
Whilst learning begins in the classroom, consolidation of learning occurs outside of the classroom and at home. It is difficult to quantify the amount of study required, however, the following guidelines are recommended:
Important Academic Dates 2026
Month | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|
| AUGUST | 11th | Unit 4 Parent Teacher Student Interviews |
| 18th | Year 12 Parent Forum | |
| SEPTEMBER | 16th | Year 10 & 11 Parent Teacher Student Interviews |
| 17th | End of Unit 4 Assessment | |
| 19th | Closure Day (Year 12) | |
| End of Term 3 | ||
| 28th | Unit 3 & 4 Practice Exams Commence | |
| OCTOBER | 2nd | Unit 3 & 4 Practice Exams Conclude |
| 6th | Term 4 Commences | |
| 16th | Last day of Year 12 Classes | |
| 20th | Units 3 & 4 SWOTVAC Commences | |
| 28th | Unit 3 & 4 Written Examinations Commence | |
| NOVEMBER | 5th | End of Year 10 & Unit 2 Assessment |
| 14th | End of Unit 2 Assessment (VCE VM) | |
| 17th | Year 10 & Unit 2 Examinations Commence | |
| VCE VM Structured Workplace Learning Commences | ||
| 19th | Unit 3 & 4 Written Examinations Conclude | |
| 28th | Year 10 & Unit 2 Examinations Conclude | |
| VCE VM Structured Workplace Learning Concludes | ||
| DECEMBER | 1st | 2027 Year 10 Orientation |
| 2nd | Jumpstart Program Commences | |
| 10th | Jumpstart Program Concludes | |
| End of Term 4 | ||
| 11th | VCE Results Released From 7am |
