Students forced to take VCE exams in dark after storms

Embattled VCE students sat exams in “twilight” conditions in storm-ravaged schools on Friday while fallen trees and power lines stopped some from even getting to campus.

Schools were forced to hold VCE exams in the dark in the aftermath of storms that battered Melbourne and much of Victoria.

Hundreds of schools were closed across the city due to power outages but most did not cancel the VCE Biology exam at 9am and Further Maths exam at 2pm.

After coping with eight months of home schooling, repeated pandemic shutdowns, and an earthquake, embattled VCE students sat exams in “twilight” conditions in storm-ravaged schools on Friday morning.

Others were unable to make it to campus due to damaged homes, fallen trees and downed power lines, and are expected to receive a derived score.

Some schools started the Biology exam 30 minutes late — at 9.30am instead of 9am — and allowed students who came in late due to the hazardous conditions to have the full time.

The exact details have yet to be confirmed by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority but it is expected many of the affected students will apply for additional special consideration.

A young student on their way to school on Friday morning. Power cables had been brought down on Main Rd, Eltham. Picture: David Caird

Closed schools included Xavier College and Trinity Grammar in Kew, Donvale Christian College, Catholic Ladies’ College in Eltham, Balwyn High, Box Hill Senior Secondary College, John Paul College in Frankston and Beaconhills College in Pakenham.

One teacher said her school’s students sat in the “twilight”.

At Kyneton High School, students unable to get to school were asked to contact the campus so that alternative arrangements could be made.

Woodleigh School’s Minimbah Campus was closed but VCE exams proceeded.

A letter to the school asked students to avoid travelling to the Penbank and Senior Campuses due to “current weather conditions, multitudes of downed trees and road blockages”.

Clearing fallen trees at Point Lonsdale. Some students couldn’t get to their schools today because of storm damage and blocked road across the state. Picture: Mike Dugdale

Beaconhills College issued a statement to its students saying wild weather had caused power outages at both Pakenham and Berwick campuses.

“For VCE exam students, we are still waiting on further guidance from VCAA and will advise families as soon as possible,” the statement says.

Schools in Casey have been left with no power and forced to close.

In a message to families and students on Friday morning, St Agathas Primary School Cranbourne principal Terry Cahill urged families to keep children at home.

“Due to the severe weather we have no power at school. If you’re able to keep your children home, please do so,” he said.

“We’ll be able to supervise students who do attend but until power comes back on there won’t be any lessons.

“We have a number of tree branches down around school but we’re yet to assess if there is any further damage.”

For the latest on the storm damage, click here.