VCEhelp.com.au

I love sport. Not only as a participant but as a spectator. I have played sport at a reasonably competitive level and in doing so it has taught me a large number of lessons about life.
In watching sections of the 2010 Winter Olympics I have been reminded about these lessons and I have again drawn [...]

This post was first authored last year but the content is still relevant for today – hope it helps. Heath
SAC preparation for high performance. A brief history…
Not too long ago the VCE system was made up purely of CAT’s instead of SAC’s. CAT’s or Common Assessment Tasks were completed by each student (one per [...]

VCE Psychology website resources -
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/psychology/psychoindex.html
This page takes you to the VCAA site. It will have the assessment guide, links to past exams, exam criteria, assessor reports, articles and other useful items. This should be your first point of reference for all information relating to this subject.
Neuroscience for Kids http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/neurok.html
The Secret Life of the Brain http://www.pbs.org/wnet/brain/
http://www.exploratorium.edu/learning_studio/cow_eye/step01.html [...]

Time management is not just about managing time but about mastering yourself in the VCE time warp. This year will fly by in the blink of an eye if you’re not prepared your VCE performance (and sanity) will suffer.
With correct application of these time management strategies you’ll gain an improved level of VCE success, an [...]

VCE has started and you are taking the first great steps towards achieving your VCE goals. It is an exciting and equally daunting time for students, parents and teachers but the information overload really hurts…particularly when you are coming off of a 6-8 week holiday!
So, without wanting to add to your workload, I [...]

My friends at Access Education are pleased to announce the launch of the:
Teacher’s Toolkit professional development program for VCE Health and Human Development teachers on 12th February 2010 and 2nd March 2010
This new program is designed to provide all VCE Health and Human Development teachers with the essential teaching strategies to enable their VCE students [...]

It was a flurry of activity. Newspapers selling like iced water on a 40 degree day, gasps from anxious parents, shrieks and tears (from the ecstatic and the disappointed)…it can only mean one thing First Round Tertiary Offers are out. Finally the VCE graduates from 2009 are rewarded with the fruits of their labour as [...]

As we speak we are saying goodbye to 2009 and welcoming the arrival of VCE 2010. Usually around New Years is a time where people have resolutions on how this year will be different than the previous year.
But did you know that 95% of people who set New Years Resolutions don’t follow through?
By choosing [...]

I’ve had many emails and questions from students asking the question ” how do I prepare for my VCE? ” so I decided to create a 16 minute video on the topic. Please leave your questions and comments below.
Cheers,
Heath

Today is VCE results day – congratulations to the graduating vce class of 2009. Woo Hoo!
Having just scoured through the papers and reading about the results today I am uplifted and encouraged by what I have read in the papers.
Much of the pressure we face in society is heightened and accentuated by what is portrayed [...]

It certainly has been an extraordinary year and I’m both excited and proud that we have achieved yet another milestone in 2010.
For the first time ever we have been able to help over 100,000 visitors at the VCE help website. That’s not hits but visitors which are mostly students but also their parents and [...]

Kurt Fearnley is an inspiration. Someone you can look at, learn from and draw strength from. To walk Kokoda requires peak physical conditioning, mental strength and a fundamental desire to take your life to the edge.
Yet for Kurt, walking Kokoda was never an option. You see Kurt was born with spina bifida – a condition [...]

Hi all,
Obviously this post is for the Year 10 and Year 11 students amongst us who are preparing for VCE 2010.
I’m sure many of you have already begun your preparations for your 3/4 subjects with introductory classes this past week or two and many teachers have already heaped holiday homework upon you.
So…before you get carried [...]

My friends at Access Education are pleased to announce the launch of the:
Teacher’s Toolkit professional development program for VCE English teachers
This new program is designed to provide all VCE English teachers with the essential teaching strategies to enable their VCE students to Nail their VCE!
This Teacher’s Toolkit PD offers:

a program meeting VIT professional development [...]

Congratulations if you’re in Year 12 you’ve finished (or nearly finished).
You should be really proud of your efforts and achievements in getting this far. I distinctly remember being in your situation a couple of years ago…the only problem was I had to wait 6 days after my friends finished to complete my final exam…ouch! Stick [...]

Congrats on finishing up the Bus Man exam. For many of you I’m sure it was your last exam! Yee haa.
How do you think you went? What was good and bad about the exam?
Let everyone know your thoughts here but please keep them clean. Thanks and cheers

Well…how was it? How was the Revolutions exam?
What did you think of the paper? What was hard? What was easy? How do you think you went?
Let everyone know your thoughts and comments below (please keep them clean!)…cheers

What did you think of the Chem paper? What was hard? What was easy? How do you think you went?
Let everyone know your thoughts and comments below (please keep them clean!)…cheers

Well…what did you think of the Legal studies exam? What was hard? What was easy? How do you think you went?
Let everyone know your thoughts and comments below (please keep them clean!)…cheers

Well…how was it? How was the Studio Arts exam?
What did you think of the paper? What was hard? What was easy? How do you think you went?
Let everyone know your thoughts and comments below (please keep them clean!)…cheers

VCE Physics students – it’s over…congratulations!
Well…how was it? How was the Physics exam?
What did you think of the paper? What was hard? What was easy? How do you think you went?
Let everyone know your thoughts and comments below (please keep them clean!)…cheers

Congrats on finishing the VCE VCD exam 2009.
What did you think of the paper? What was hard? What was easy? How do you think you went?
Let me know your thoughts and comments below (please keep them clean!)…cheers

Hi all,
Congrats on finishing the VCE Vis Com exam for 2009.
What did you think of the paper? What was hard? What was easy? How do you think you went?
Let everyone know your thoughts and comments below (please keep them clean!)…cheers

Hi all,
So…you have finished the VCE PE exam for 2009.
What did you think of the paper? What was hard? What was easy? How do you think you went?
Let me know your thoughts and comments below (please keep them clean!)…cheers

YES! Methods is finally over.
How did you find the exam?
Let everyone know your thoughts below (keep them clean!).
Cheers,
Heath

Hi all,
The following is a checklist of terms, topic areas and knowledge that you should know for the PE exam. It is an extensive list (not necessarily complete) but if you cover most of the knowledge you should be reasonably well prepared for the exam tomorrow.
Unit 3 – Outcome 1:

Describe the NPAG for population groups [...]

Hi all,
Congrats  on finishing the Health and HD exam for 2009.
What did you think of the paper? What was hard? What was easy? How do you think you went?
Let me know your thoughts and comments below (please keep them clean!)…cheers

Hi all,
So…you have finished the VCE Accounting Unit 4 exam for 2009.
What did you think of the paper? What was hard? What was easy? How do you think you went?
Let me know your thoughts and comments below (please keep them clean!)…cheers

Hi all,
So…you have finished the VCE Psych exam for 2009. Congratulations!
What did you think of the paper? What was hard? What was easy? How do you think you went?
Let me know your thoughts and comments below (please keep them clean!)…cheers

Hi all,
So…you have finished the VCE Further Maths exam for 2009.
What did you think of the paper? What was hard? What was easy? How do you think you went?
Let me know your thoughts and comments below (please keep them clean!)…cheers

This has been the most unbelievable year. So much has happened and as we wind up our VCE studies I want to borrow you for just 3-5 minutes in total to answer each of these questions in the comments section below – I would really appreciate it ( as would the class of 2010 who [...]

Hi all,
I hope you completed the English exam well and are making the most of today in preparation for this weeks exams. You just have to hang in there and stay focussed – I told you these exams would come around quickly
For this reason I know that your time is scarce…so what are [...]

Hi all,
By now, you should have finished the Unit 4 VCE Biology exam for 2009.
What did you think of the paper? What was hard? What was easy? How do you think you went?
Let me know your thoughts and comments below (please keep them clean!)…cheers

Best of October 2009
Just a quick summary of all the latest VCE help resources to help you be in the best shape for your VCE exams. Hang in there…there’s not long to go!

The art of VCE exam cramming
2009 VCE English exam resources
Where to go when you need help.
VCE Legal Studies – Criminal Procedure 2009 Case [...]

Hi all,
Congratulations to all the VCE English students who have finished that monstrous 3 hours English exam. It’s a huge effort (and I’m sure a huge relief too!) as you shift focus to your other subjects in the next few weeks.
As I’m sure you can appreciate this website provides a lot of resources for VCE [...]

Many people profess that they need to feel the “pressure” of exams and assessments before they finally pull the proverbial finger out and actually start working. Chances are, if you are this type of student. you’re best friend is the cramming session right before the exams.
Cramming is a specialised skill that anyone can do but [...]

With the 2009 VCE English exam just around the corner – the major exams are about to begin…I know some of you have already started their music or language exams by now. I hope you aced them!
Here are 6 great resources to help you with the VCE English Exam.
1. VCEhelp Podcasts on English:

http://www.vcehelp.com.au/vce-english-podcast-with-ross-huggard-82/
How [...]

Schools broken up (or just about to) and whilst it can be a time of great excitement for many, it can also be a time of great anxiety and stress. Most schools have counsellors that you can still talk to but sometimes students needs additional support services that are outside of the school environment.
The following [...]

Vce Legal Studies Criminal Procedure 2009 Case Study
View more presentations from Rowville Secondary College.

VCE Examination Tips For Students
View more presentations from Nirvana Rose Watkins.

Do you want to live your life too scared to take action or do you want to…take life by the horns and ride it for all it’s worth !!! I know which I would rather do!
In the next couple of weeks you will face many challenges and distractions that could literally change your destiny.
Stay focussed.
Don’t [...]

Bombshells resources for VCE English

This website provides daily Zits comic strip, by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman.
A unique collaboration between Michael Leunig and singer/songwriter Gyan.
For Better or for Worse -this site has daily and monthly comic strip fix.
Reviews of Jeffery Smart’s art:This site provides Art, book, audio and film reviews.
Australian arts and entertainment site. [...]

An important step for any VCE student about to undertake their VCE exams is to ensure they know exactly what they can and cannot bring into the exam. Being familiar with the exam instructions and essential resources will help leading up the final preparations so you can keep the stress levels down on the big [...]

According to the VCAA website the dates and details for the 2010 VCE exams have now been finalised. This is great news for all those Yr 11 students who can’t wait to prepare for their Yr 12 exams in 2010…and possibly start planning their post-VCE celebrations.
Check out the details here:
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/exams/future_exams.html

Best of September 2009
As we head towards the 2009 VCE exams just thought I would quickly summarise last months content just in case you missed it. Stay tuned for loads more content this October to be in the best shape for your VCE exams.
Sketching Functions checklist for Math Methods
Chemistry – common errors in area of [...]

Tuesday, 29 Sep

BUNDOORA

1

9.00am-11.30am

Physical Education OR Health & Human Devt.*

Tuesday, 29 Sep

BUNDOORA

2

12.15pm-2.45pm

Food & Technology OR Biology*

Tuesday, 29 Sep

BUNDOORA

3

3.15pm-5.45pm

Business Management OREnglish*

Thursday, 1 Oct

CLAYTON

1

9.00am-11.30am

Geography OR Legal Studies

Thursday, 1 Oct

CLAYTON

2

12.15pm-2.45pm

Health & Human Devt.OR Psychology

Thursday, 1 Oct

CLAYTON

3

3.15pm-5.45pm

Biology [...]

The “5 mins with…” podcast series is a new VCE help radio initiative in conjunction with Access Education and their lecturers.
This podcast today is the 5th in the series and is with Ross Huggard on Writing in Context – part B of the VCE English Exam. . Ross again went above and beyond the call [...]

The “5 mins with…” podcast series is a new VCE help radio initiative in conjunction with Access Education and their lecturers.
This podcast today is the 4th in the series and is with Ross Huggard on the film Look Both Ways. . Now Ross always gives some great advice and today he went a little bit [...]

The “5 mins with…” podcast series is a new VCE help radio initiative in conjunction with Access Education and their lecturers.
This podcast today is the 3rd in the series and is with Kevin McMenamin on VCE Math Methods. Kevin was asked 3 key questions:

What should VCE students do now and leading up their VCE exams?
What [...]

The “5 mins with…” podcast series is a new VCE help radio initiative in conjunction with Access Education and their lecturers.
This podcast today is the 2nd with Jan May who is discussing the VCE English text – In the Lake Of the Woods. It is a short and powerful podcast to help you with your [...]

The “5 mins with…” podcast series is a new VCE help radio initiative in conjunction with Access Education and their lecturers.
This podcast is the first of many short and powerful podcasts to help you with your VCE exam preparations and  is with Jan May who is lecturing on VCE Literature. Lecturer’s were asked 3 key [...]

It never ceases to amaze me that VCE students, despite the goodwill and good intentions of well meaning teachers, parents and friends do not know how to prepare appropriately for this all important September school “holiday” period.
I’ve written about the topics of holiday homework before in what is a working school holiday and during the [...]

Below are a list of websites that you can use to help with your research on VCE History Revolutions. Enjoy…

History Revolutions
This is the History Teacher’s Association website providing a collection of links related to History Revolutions.
Scientific, Industrial and Political Revolution – A wide variety of document collection on American and French Revolutions.
Virtual Museum of the [...]

These tips have been written courtesy of Olivia Anderson for VCE Chinese – thanks Olivia. If anyone else wants to share their tips and contribute you too can do so by going here. Cheers, Heath.

I am in year 11 doing two year 12 subjects this year-Chinese and Methods CAS. I know you are wanting [...]

Best of June 2009
Last month had lot of interesting articles and we have many more coming in July. This page provides the last month’s snippet in case you have missed it.
Accounting Reports- Is a report which illustrates the position of the business in terms of the accounting equation (A=L+OE) at a static point in time. [...]

Balance Day Adjustments
Balance day adjustments are alterations to the businesses records that are performed on the last day of the reporting period (i.e. balance day). These are performed to correctly adjust the revenue and expense accounts to match revenues earned against expenses incurred under accrual accounting, hence following the matching principle. In the general journal, [...]

These were sent to me by a teacher – hope they help.
This page provides the Health and Human Development study design, assessment handbooks and examination reports.
The health and human development Study Design specifies what can be examined and what to study.
VCE Health and Human development Assessment Handbook 2004-2009.
Health and Human Development – Exams and Exam [...]

Hi all,
By now, you should have finished the Unit 3 VCE Environmental Science exam for 2009.
Well…what did you think of the paper?  How do you think you went?
Let me know your thoughts and comments below (please keep them clean!)…cheers

Hi all,
What did you think of the Unit 3 VCE Chemistry exam for 2009?
What was hard? What was easy? How do you think you went?
Let me know your thoughts and comments below (please keep them clean!)…cheers

Hi all,
By now, you should have finished the Unit 3 VCE Psychology exam for 2009.
What did you think of the paper? What was hard? What was easy? How do you think you went?
Let me know your thoughts and comments below (please keep them clean!)…cheers

Hi all,
How did you find the Unit 3 Accounting exam? How do you think you went?
Let us all know by commenting below. Cheers

Hi all,
By now, you should have finished the Unit 3 Physics exam for 2009.
What did you think of the paper? What was hard? What was easy? How do you think you went?
Let me know your thoughts and comments below (please keep them clean!)…cheers

Hi all,
By now, you should have finished the Unit 3 VCE Biology exam for 2009.
What did you think of the paper? What was hard? What was easy? How do you think you went?
Let me know your thoughts and comments below (please keep them clean!)…cheers

I was sent a link yesterday to a brand new website resource for helping young adults with depression and anxiety called Youth Beyond Blue . It has been developed by the good people at Beyond Blue to help adults and young adults deal identify the signs of depression and anxiety and help them get the [...]

I published this article last year in preparation for the mid-year exams – hope it helps you in your final preparations as we near the final exams for this year. Good luck, Heath
I know that most of you will be in “exam mode” bunkered down with chocolate, caffiene and other goodies in an attempt to [...]

May has gone and June has arrived…still many interesting articles and authors are in queue. Just is case you have missed the month of May articles – these snippets are for you.
The GAT – is it really a waste of time? – Here is what the GAT is, what it does, and why it is [...]

Each and every year I hear the same comments from students regarding the GAT (or General Achievement Test) such as: ” It’s such a waste of time “or ” If I can’t study for it, I’m not going to really try in it ” etc, etc. These attitudes are nothing new…in fact back when I [...]

Hi all,
Each year prior to the exam period the VCAA releases the front covers of their upcoming exams. According to the VCAA;
The following examination materials are provided to assist students who are preparing to sit VCE written examinations in June 2009 including the GAT.
The materials include the front cover, relevant instructions and multiple-choice answer sheet [...]

The good folk at Insight Publications have recently released a brand new series of VCE trial exams in time for the 2009 Unit 3 VCE mid-year exams. Insight have kindly offered a sample of each of their mid year practice exams with solutions that offer excellent tips, mark allocations and detailed assessor notations.
The VCE exams [...]

VCE English text resources- Fly Away Peter by David Maulof
David Maulof’s Fly Away Peter is one of the VCE English texts for this year. I have listed some websites that contain resources to help you learn and summarise about the content of Fly Away Peter.
Plot Summary This website provides a short plot summary [...]

VCE English text resources-The Crucible by Arthur Miller
Arthur Miller’s The Crucible is one of the VCE English texts for this year. See below for some websites that will help you develop your summary notes and understanding.
A great website which contains summary of The Crucible, a study guide with outcome and exam-style essays that help [...]

VCE English play resources-The Secret River by Kate Grenville
I have listed some websites that contain resources to help you learn and summarize about the content of The Secret River.
An excellent website which contains Synopsis and reviews. The reviews are done by experts like Library Journal and Booklist etc. Moreover, it provides the product details of [...]

VCE English resources – A Man for All Seasons by Robert Bolt
Robert Bolt’s A Man for All Seasons is one of the chosen VCE English texts for this year. I have listed some websites that contain resources to help you learn and summarize this content.
Study Boost- A man for All Seasons: An excellent [...]

The Unit 3 VCE Biology podcast with Andrew Douch is finally here. Again I apologise for the lateness of the final edit and upload which was a result of the VCE expo and illness (hope you can forgive me! . In the podcast below you can hear Douchy talk about:
1. Some of the common [...]

Sometimes we all need a quick refresher to remind us that exams are coming up quickly and now with our Countdown to VCE Exams you can do that quickly and easily…look for the countdown timer under the VCE help articles column.
If you want to know the actual mid year VCE exam timetable check it out [...]

The Unit 3 VCE Psychology podcast with Kate Lefel from Access Education is finally here (very sorry for the long delay due to the VCE expo and illness). In the podcast below you can hear Kate talk about:
1. Some of the common areas students have difficulty with
2. How to best prepare for the Unit 3 [...]

Hi all, I have been super busy of late with the VCE Expo and school work. The VCE psychology podcast is being uploaded as we speak and will be ready later on this evening. More people than ever before are joining the VCE help blog and I invite you to contribute. Just in case you [...]

Raimond Gaita’s Romulus-My Father is one of the VCE English texts for this year. I have listed some websites that contain resources to help you learn and summarize about the content of Romulus, My Father.
Study Boost- Romulus, My Father: A study boost article that describes the goodness of Romulus in his essential honesty and [...]

Hi all,
Just a quick post before I head to the VCE expo for the weekend.
This is one of the “must do” things for your VCE where you can get great career advice, vce resources, listen to seminars and more. In fact there are a couple of presentations that you should pencil in to [...]

I have heard that the “fear of public speaking” is one of the most common phobias people experience. The way that you get better at public speaking however, is facing this fear and practicing this skill which leads to improved confidence and therefore speaking performances.  Now I know many of you will be preparing for [...]

I recently found this great article on strategies to avoid procrastination. I’m sure it is a timely reminder for many of you, particularly as the school holidays are finishing and I’m sure some of you haven’t completed your holiday homework.
Everybody procrastinates in some way – the work assignment we leave for later, the visit to [...]

Energy systems is the topic most VCE PE students have difficulty wrapping their head around. Here is a small table and description that should help you understand and compare the differences between the energy systems.
It is important that we understand that each energy system has advantages and disadvantages and hence why they are all being [...]

I have slowly been collating a list of VCE resources for Citizen Kane and found the following websites. Hope they help…
Spark Notes on Citizen Kane, character information, analysis, themes, motifs and symbols, as well as important quotations explained.
A number of sample essays on the film citizen kane.
The official Wiki of the Citizen Kane film – [...]

Below are a series of VCE chemistry websites that may assist your research and collate VCE chemistry notes. Always make sure you check off the content on the websites with a copy of the study design.
This page takes you to the VCAA chemistry site. It will have the assessment guide, links to past exams, exam [...]

Hi all,
The Easter holiday weekend is coming to a close and Hawthorn finally got a win! Thank goodness for that…
Just a quick post to remind you about how you can contribute to the VCE help community.  The great thing about contributing notes and resources is that it continues the cycle of VCE help [...]

As it is Good Friday and most of us are enjoying a couple of days off with the family but it is also a time to be reminded of our responsibilities both socially and morally. Today obviously is the day for the Good Friday appeal and a very important fundraising effort but I also wanted [...]

Hi all,
As the VCE Biology podcast has been delayed somewhat I decided to go ahead with the next podcast interview topic which will be on VCE psychology with Kate Lefel of Access Education and recorded next Thursday 16th of April 2009.
Kate Lefel is a Senior Psychology Teacher at Wesley College, Glen Waverley Campus. Kate has [...]

Feeling a little slow, lacking direction and even motivation?
The 2009 VCE and Careers expo is a fantastic opportunity for VCE students, parents and teachers to find the VCE resources they need for VCE success and beyond. Students and visitors will be able to attend free lectures, pick up resources from VCE organisations and talk [...]

Busy, busy, busy but still productive! I still have a few more people lined up to contribute more content than ever before so stay tuned. Just in case you missed it – here is what happened in March 2009.

Shift happens – a paradigm shift for teachers I found this YouTube video the other day and [...]

We finally made it – holidays are upon us and we are free (at least for a little while anyway).
The notion of doing (or even receiving) holiday homework is particularly new for most Year 11 students and probably for some Year 12 students. I’ve heard the VCE holidays being called “study vacations”, “school holiday”, “study [...]

I found this YouTube video the other day and was just fascinated with the statistics regarding globalization, our global community, the use of emerging technologies and the speed that information is being published and then superseded. It also reinforced the notion in my mind that teachers are increasing becoming learning facilitators and not dispensers of [...]

Hi all,
The next podcast interview for the VCE help radio program will be with leading biology teacher and fellow podcaster Andrew Douch, who produces some high quality biology podcasts for VCE students.
Later this week (the last week of term – woohoo) I will be recording the interview and as per usual…I need the  help of [...]

Hi all,
Just saw an ad for the National Careers and Employment Expo which is happening this weekend (27-28 March) at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre. It is free admission for all.
According to the website:

The National Careers & Employment Expo is a community spirited event, which provides free careers, employment & training advice to [...]

If you ask 10 different people what they think “success” is you’re bound to get 10 different responses. Some people would say having enough money to pay the mortgage, others would say being healthy or happy, another may say making a sporting team. Success is different to every single person and is very much dependant [...]

I’ve been meaning to upload this for awhile on the topic of Inheritance – some good powerpoint slides on the VCE English topic of Inheritance.
Inheritance
View more presentations from guest151171.

The following are a list of vce business management websites that could be used for research purposes.
This page takes you to the VCAA business management website. It will have the assessment guide, links to past exams, exam criteria, assessor reports, articles and other useful items. This should be your first point of reference for all [...]

We have searched high and low to find the best VCE Design and Technology websites. Make sure you bookmark this page as websites are constantly being added to this resource.
This page takes you to the VCAA Design and Technology site. It will have the assessment guide, links to past exams, exam criteria, assessor reports, articles [...]

It has been a little quiet on the VCE help front this month. Rest assured March is going to go off! I have a few more people lined up to contribute more content than ever before so stay tuned. Just in case you missed it – here is what happened in Feb 2009.
Balancing priorities in [...]

The Unit 3 VCE Physics podcast with the highly experienced VCE physics teacher and Access Education lecturer, Steve Treadwell, is now available. In the podcast below you can hear Steve talk about:
1. The changes to the VCE Physics curriculum
2. Motion, uniform and non-uniform circular motion
3. How to make the most out of pracs and prac [...]

The authors official website… contact details, the kite runner and discussion boards etc can be found here
Plot summary, references, links, character details and more @ wikipedia, etc…
A highly detailed article in the afghan magazine about the novel, theme quotes and an interview link.
Education age article on the text – the kite runner