Port Hacking High School Yr 10 Record of Student Achievement (RoSA) Information Night Monday 24 February 2014

In 2011 it was announced that: There will be no more School Certificate tests in NSW There will be a new credential created for students who leave school after completing Year 10, but before receiving their HSC Schools will still need to enter Year 10 students into Stage 5 courses, and provide grades for those students at the end of the year

In February 2012 the minister announced that: Fully implemented the RoSA will: Be a record of the full range of student achievements right up to the day they do their HSC or leave school Provide an electronic record of achievements that students can use at any time Use assessment by teachers in schools, moderated by the Board of Studies Offer on-line literacy and numeracy tests, with particular emphasis on work readiness, that students will be able to undertake twice a year.

Provide the capacity to record vocational courses and students’ vocational experiences as well as citizenship and leadership achievements. Mr Piccoli said, The formal RoSA credential will be awarded to eligible students who choose to leave school prior to receiving their HSC, while still allowing students to view and download a transcript of their achievements when applying for jobs or further education or training. continued

The new credential will: Provide an ongoing, cumulative record for students It will record grades for courses students complete in Year 10 (and in 2015 Year 11) Report results of moderated, school-based assessment Introduce optional, online literacy and numeracy testing for 2014 school leavers. Provide the opportunity for students to incorporate extra-curricular achievements.

Who will get a RoSA? Students entering Year 10 in 2014 will be eligible for the new credential when they have completed Stage 5 Students will need to have completed the mandatory requirements for Stage 5 (Yr 10) to eligible for a RoSA. It will only be issued to students when they leave school prior to completing the HSC.

What stays the same for Year 10 students from 2012: Students will be entered into Stage 5 courses with the BoS as per usual Teachers will conduct their assessments according to current procedures A to E grades for Year 10 students, using the results of school-based assessments, will be submitted to the Board at the end of the year. The end date for Year 10 will not change. Students will be expected to maintain a satisfactory attendance record The commencement date for HSC studies will not change.

Why record extra-curricular activities? Parents, students, employers and providers of further education are looking at more than a student’s level of academic attainment. This information can help form a more comprehensive picture of a student’s interests, commitments and achievements in areas other than school.

How will extra-curricular activities be recorded? Currently, The Board of Studies NSW focuses on activities that have an authentication framework. This makes it easier for employers and others to be sure that the achievements recorded are correct. Activities widely available that already have authentication include:  Life-saving and first aid qualifications,  VET courses,  AMEB certification,  Premier’s Volunteering  The Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

What about literacy and numeracy testing? Optional literacy and numeracy tests will be available for school leavers. The tests will be taken online and will be available to students twice a year. The tests will not be available as whole cohort tests. They will be designed to provide schools leavers with a current supplementary assessment of these key skills.

Why offer literacy and numeracy testing? Parents and employers are increasingly interested in having affirmation of a student’s fundamental levels of literacy and numeracy. This measure provide valuable information to an employer when they are considering job candidates who have not completed their HSC. The literacy/numeracy tests will also help students, parents and teachers determine if a student needs particular support in an area.

PHHS School Certificate Assessment Year (Pink booklet) Students were issued with the school’s pink assessment booklet at the beginning of the year. This is the school’s policy (aligned to BoS requirements), which governs the administration of the Stage 5 certificate. A one page overview of the Yr 10 assessment schedule is available on the school’s website.

Please refer to this booklet for more detailed information regarding: mandatory requirements course grades and performance descriptors non-completion of assessment tasks late submisson of tasks illness/misadventure malpractice and plagiarism non-serious attempts rules of conduct “N-awards” and appeal process subject information, assessment schedules and weightings.

RoSA course grades will be awarded to students who; Follow and satisfactorily complete a pattern of courses required by the BoS. Apply themselves with diligence and sustained effort in their studies.

Attendance Rate 85%

Illness/ Misadventure. If a student is unable to sit an assessment task or complete course work due to illness or misadventure, then they may apply for illness/misadventure. Students must collect an Illness/Misadventure form from a deputy, which they and their parents must complete and return. If a student misses an assessment task due to illness, the misadventure claim must be accompanied with a doctor’s certificate. The student must be prepared to complete the task on the first day back after their absence.

“N-Award” warning letters “N-Award” warning letters will be sent home if a student has not meet one of the following requirements in a subject: Not followed the course developed or endorsed by the Board. Not applied themselves with diligence and sustained effort to the set tasks and experiences provided in the course by the school ie classwork. Has not addressed some or all of the course outcomes. Non attendance at or non serious attempt at an assessment task.

Consequences of receiving “N-Award” warnings If a student has two or more outstanding “N-Award” warnings in a subject/s, by the time the school is required to submit Stage 5 grades to the BoS, the principal may submit an “N-Award” determination to the Board. After the appeal process, if the “N-Award” determination is upheld then the student will NOT have met the requirements for a RoSA. If a student is not entitled to a RoSA they will receive a Transcript of Study from the BoS.

Redeeming an “N-Award” warning “N-Award” warnings can be redeemed by a student. The “N-Award” warning letters outline the task to be completed and a new due date. If a student submits a serious attempt at the task, then the “N-award” warning is redeemed. While the student will receive zero for the task, which may affect their final grade, the “N-award” warning is cleared from their record.

How are school grades awarded? All subjects have an assessment schedule that is published in the Assessment booklet – with the pink cover Students are advised to transfer this information into their school diaries for each of their subjects.

COURSE GRADES ABCDEABCDE Course grades are awarded by the school Based on the BOS course performance descriptors. These are in the pink assessment booklet.

Grades for Mathematics. Schools are responsible for awarding each student studying Mathematics a grade. A10, A9 B8, B7 C6, C5 D4, D3 E2 There are 3 pathways in Mathematics

Can a student who has studied content from the 5.1 pathway ever be awarded a School Certificate grade A in Mathematics? This is highly unlikely as both the A10 and A9 course performance descriptors refer to student achievement on 5.3 pathway content.

Does the answer above mean that some Students are prevented from achieving higher grades? No. Students who demonstrate the mathematical abilities required to achieve a higher grade should always be encouraged to do so by a teaching and learning program that includes the knowledge, skills and understanding in the more demanding pathways. The Mathematics education community preferred the single scale as it allows students to aim high and have their achievement reported. Schools now have the flexibility to move students from pathway to pathway and so make and revise grade decisions right up to the end of Year 10.

Students are required to remain at school and continue to do work in all subject till the last day of the school year (2014 – 17 December) School reports will be issued to students on 15 December. Reports will only be issued early in very exceptional circumstances AND if the reports are printed. (A family holiday does not meet these requirements.) Additionally, ALL students will do the “All My Own Work” Program and Peer Support Training. End of Year

Important Dates Monday 8 th December 2014 Yr 10 School Formal Wednesday 10 th December 2014 School Sports Presentation Assembly Friday 12 th December 2014 School Presentation Day Monday 15 th December 2014 Reports distributed Wednesday 17 th December 2014 Last day of year

As from 1st January 2010 it has been compulsory, by NSW law, that all students complete Yr 10 and until the age of 17… Remain at school OR Enrol in a Cert 2 TaFE course or higher OR Undertake approved vocational training eg cadetship OR Employed full time ie 26 hours a week. School Leaving Age

More information? Board of Studies website: