Wollongong HS of the Performing Arts School Certificate Information Evening

Program Introductions Understanding the School Certificate Expectations Year 10 students at WHSPA N determination procedures General business – Q&A, Year 10 Camp

Guide to the School Certificate

Course Requirements Studied in each of Years 7–10 (mandatory) English Mathematics Science Geography &/or History Australian Geography and Australian History in Years 9 & 10 (Stage 5) PDHPE

Course Requirements Studied before the end of Year 10, but not necessarily in each year Technology Visual Arts Music Languages

Course Requirements Students may be required to undertake additional studies or electives during Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10) Students may be awarded a grade at the completion of these courses Opportunity to specialise

Why do I need a SC? Entry into HSC Course Entry into TAFE Entry into Defence Forces Employers

Grades, Reporting and Assessment

Reporting Methods School Certificate School Based Assessment Grades School Certificate Tests Test Results

Assessment A student’s performance in the Assessment program for a course provides information for the teacher about the level of achievement and therefore the appropriate grade to award

What is Internal Assessment? Internal Assessment is assessment that is carried out by the school, not the Board of Studies. It is based upon: a wider range of syllabus outcomes than may be measured by the external test multiple measures and observations grades which are allocated by school staff using Course Performance Descriptors

School Certificate grades At the end of Year 10, students will receive a Grade A to E for each mandatory Stage 5 course completed Most elective courses will also be awarded a grade by the school In Mathematics, there are 9 grades, A10 to E2

How Are SC Grades Awarded? Grades are based on the level of achievement that the students have demonstrated at the end of the course. To assess the level of achievement of the student in each course teachers are guided by the Course Performance Descriptors published by the Board of Studies. There is no predetermined proportion of students to be awarded each grade

Course Performance Descriptors ECBDA

Can I compare grades between subjects? No, each subject uses different Course performance descriptors Grades indicate the level of achievement in that subject only

Do your best no matter what the challenges

The School Certificate Tests and Credentials

School Certificate Tests There are five SC tests: English-literacy Mathematics Science Australian History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship Computing Skills.

School Certificate Tests 2011 Day One 7 Nov: English-literacy (2 hrs) Science (2 hrs) Day Two 8 Nov: Mathematics (2hrs) Australian History, Geography, Civics & Citizenship (2 hrs) Every student in Year 10 must complete the Tests during the week of the 7th of November Day Three 9 Nov: CST (75 minutes)

The Computing Skills Test Based on the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in the mandatory Years syllabuses. Students will do the test online.

Exam Rules You must make a serious attempt at answering all the questions in the test; You must place any watch on top of your desk where it can be seen by a supervisor; You must not take a mobile phone into the test room

Exam Rules You cannot eat in the exam room You cannot talk to other students You must stop writing when instructed to by the supervisor

The School Certificate Portfolio Each student will receive a School Certificate Portfolio from the Board of Studies which includes: A School Certificate Testamur A Record of Achievement

The School Certificate Testamur

The Record of Achievement

SC test bands Band 1 corresponds to the marks from 0 to 49 Band 2 corresponds to the marks from 50 to 59 Band 3 corresponds to the marks from 60 to 69 Band 4 corresponds to the marks from 70 to 79 Band 5 corresponds to the marks from 80 to 89 Band 6 corresponds to the marks from 90 to 100

Computing Skills Test - Reporting Highly Competent 80 – 100 marks achieved. Competent 50 – 79 marks achieved Competence Not Demonstrated (CND) Marks below 50

Satisfactory completion of the School Certificate Students must: follow the course developed or endorsed by the Board apply themselves with diligence and sustained effort achieve some or all of the course outcomes Failure to meet one or more of these requirements can lead to an ‘N’ determination.

Course completion criteria apply yourself with diligence and sustained effort to the set tasks and experiences provided in the course by the school: Work hard Work consistently Serious attempt Hand work in on time Get feedback from teachers Not just assessment tasks

‘N’ determinations The non-completion of course requirements An ‘N’ Determination in any given course is awarded by the Board of Studies if the student is deemed not to have fulfilled the previously stated requirements May prevent a student from being awarded a School Certificate in that year N

‘N’ determinations Stage 5 Consequences A student who is given an ‘N’ determination in a mandatory course in Stage 5 will not be eligible for a School Certificate in that year. A Record of Achievement will be issued to this student

‘N’ determinations Stage 5 Consequences The student retains the right of: eligibility for award if in an elective provided all other requirements are met eligibility to present for School Certificate Tests

‘N’ determination procedures Applies for lack of ‘diligence and sustained effort’ and ‘non completion of assessment tasks’ If concerns exist teacher discusses concerns with student and notifies parents/carers of plan to rectify If concerns continue teacher will contact parents/carers to discuss If no improvement/ task not completed ‘letter of concern’ issued requesting parent/carer interview Still no improvement /task not completed an ‘N warning’ letter issued

Remember….. Your work in Year 10 will provide the foundations for senior study Establish sound study habits now Do your best for all class and assessment work Respond to feedback Be well organised and well prepared

Any Questions ??