Part 4: Parental support for SACs success

As a parent to a VCE student, your support can make a big difference in how your child manages the stress and workload of School-Assessed Coursework (SACs). These assessments play a crucial role in shaping your child’s study score, which directly impacts their ATAR and future university opportunities.

With the right guidance and environment, you can help your child stay focused, organised, and motivated. Here are practical ways you can support your child through their SACs journey.

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1. Establish a structured study environment

A well-organised study environment is essential for your child’s success in SACs. You can help by:

• Creating a quiet, comfortable space free from distractions like TVs and excessive technology.
• Ensuring the study area is equipped with necessary resources such as textbooks, stationery, and a reliable computer with internet access.
• Setting clear boundaries like limiting phone use or social media during study time, to boost concentration.

Having a dedicated study space encourages focus and helps your child develop positive study habits. You can reinforce these habits by working with your child to establish a regular study schedule and encouraging them to stick to it. Consistency is key to managing the workload and avoiding last-minute stress.

2. Encourage a balanced routine

Maintaining a healthy balance between study, physical activity, and relaxation is key to avoiding burnout. To support your child:

• Help them develop a daily routine that includes regular study sessions, exercise, and time for hobbies or relaxation.
• Encourage physical activity, such as walking, yoga, or sports, which has been proven to improve cognitive function and memory retention.
• Ensure they take regular breaks during study sessions. Even short 10-15 minute breaks can prevent mental fatigue and improve focus.
• Encourage sleep, which is crucial for memory retention and mental sharpness.

Encouraging your child to maintain a balanced lifestyle helps refresh their mind and body, enabling them to tackle their SACs with greater focus and energy. Ensuring they are physically active and mentally rested will ultimately enhance their ability to retain information and perform well.

3. Stay involved and supportive

Your involvement plays a significant role in your child’s academic success, especially during SACs. You can stay engaged by:

• Checking in regularly to see how they are managing their workload and providing emotional support when they feel overwhelmed.
• Offering a listening ear to help them navigate challenges, and staying open to communication about their academic progress.
• Celebrating their achievements, even small ones, to boost confidence and motivation. Acknowledging progress—whether it’s improving time management or doing well on a practice test—helps them stay motivated.

Encouraging your child to set realistic goals and break tasks into manageable steps also helps them feel a sense of accomplishment along the way. Offering emotional support not only builds your child’s confidence but also strengthens their resilience. Let them know that setbacks are part of the process and that you’re there to help them stay on track. Your involvement and encouragement will keep them focused and motivated through the SAC period.

4. Foster good time management skills

Effective time management is critical to SAC success. You can help your child by:

• Assisting them in creating a detailed study schedule that covers all their subjects and breaks larger tasks into manageable sections.
• Encouraging the use of tools like planners, calendars, or study apps to stay organised and manage deadlines.
• Building in time for rest and relaxation to avoid burnout and ensure long-term focus.

For example, if your child has upcoming SACs in Biology and English, help them break down their revision into smaller, focused study sessions for each subject. This reduces stress and ensures comprehensive preparation.

Help your child set realistic goals for each study session to make steady progress. By developing strong time management skills, your child will be better prepared, more confident, and less stressed during SAC preparation.

5. Offer access to resources

Having access to high-quality learning resources is essential for SAC preparation. You can support your child by:

• Ensuring they have the right materials, including textbooks, practice questions, and video lessons that align with the VCE syllabus.
• Encouraging them to use resources like Matrix Education’s Comprehensive Theory Books, practice questions, and Theory Video Lessons to reinforce key concepts and skills.

These resources help your child familiarise themselves with the types of questions and content they’ll encounter in their SACs. You can also help by discussing their progress and identifying areas where they may need extra support. If they’re struggling with a topic, consider additional tutoring to ensure they’re fully prepared.

Conclusion

Supporting your child during SACs can make a significant difference in their VCE performance and overall confidence. By creating a structured study environment, encouraging a balanced routine, staying involved, fostering good time management, and providing access to quality resources, you can help them excel in their assessments.

As they navigate this challenging period, your guidance and encouragement will be invaluable in helping them manage stress and stay motivated. Remember, the key to success lies in consistency and a well-rounded approach to both study and well-being. By encouraging this, you can feel rest assured your child is fully equipped to achieve their best.

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