Academic Excellence

Academic Success

Coffs Harbour Senior College values academic excellence and strives to assist every student to reach their full academic potential.  Students have access to a range of programs, meeting each individual at their point of need and ability. Programs include:

·         Teacher led study sessions for core subjects

·         Workshops, study days and extension lessons for specific subjects

·         Major Work support days

·         Study skills and support based on the VESPA Model

·         Year 11 Connections

·         Year 12 Academic Coaching

·         Year 12 Match Fitness

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Program
VESPA

VESPA is a UK based organisation focused on improving student outcomes by clarifying and democratising access to the tactics used by high-performing students.  This led to the VESPA model, a research-driven framework for developing non-cognitive skills for academic success.

VESPA stands for:

V – Vision
E – Effort
S – Systems
P – Practice
A – Attitude

The VESPA model is integrated into Connections, Academic Coaching and whole school practice.

Connections

Connections is a program specifically designed to assist Year 11 students as they transition to Coffs Harbour Senior College and equip them with relevant skills for Year 12.  The program is mandatory and operates for the first two terms of Year 11 with each student attending one session per week. Connections covers three main areas:

·         Coffs Harbour Senior College essentials

·         Academic Success

·         Wellbeing

The sessions are linked to the VESPA elements to improve student confidence and achievement. Each week, students receive access to specialist teachers to support their wholistic wellbeing and academic studies.  Connections also covers the NSW Department of Education Life-Ready Skills.

Academic Coaching
Academic Coaching is a voluntary program for Year 12 students.  Students who participate in the program are allocated a coach for the duration of Year 12.  Academic Coaching utilises the VESPA model to give targeted and differentiated advice to each student, based on their chosen pathway, goals and progress.  The program also uses individualised results data to plan study time and maximise achievement.
Match Fitness
Match Fitness is a voluntary program operating in Terms 2 and 3 for Year 12 students.  The program prepares students for the rigours of the Trial and HSC examinations, giving them valuable exam practice and feedback. Each week, students choose from a range of subjects and corresponding sections of an HSC style examination to complete under timed conditions.  Student responses are sent to the relevant teacher for marking and feedback.  The program operates before school.