Wollongong HS of the Performing Arts

School Certificate Information Evening

ProgramProgramIntroductions

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)

EnglishMathematicsScienceGeography &/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

TechnologyVisual ArtsMusicLanguages

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 CourseEntry into TAFEEntry into Defence ForcesEmployers

Grades, Reporting and Assessment

Reporting Methods

School Certificate

School Based Assessment

School Certificate Tests

Grades 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 testmultiple measures and observationsgrades 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 schoolIn 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

E C BD A

Can I compare grades between subjects?

No, each subject uses different Course performance descriptorsGrades 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-literacyMathematicsScienceAustralian History, Geography, Civics and CitizenshipComputing 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 7-10 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 TestamurA Record of Achievement

The School Certificate Testamur

The Record of Achievement

SC test bands

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

Computing Skills Test - Reporting

Highly Competent80 – 100 marks achieved.

Competent50 – 79 marks achieved

Competence Not Demonstrated (CND)Marks below 50

Satisfactory completion of the School

CertificateStudents must:

follow the course developed or endorsed by the Boardapply 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 hardWork consistentlySerious attemptHand work in on timeGet 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 requirementsMay 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 rectifyIf concerns continue teacher will contact parents/carers to discussIf no improvement/ task not completed ‘letter of concern’ issued requesting parent/carer interviewStill no improvement /task not completed an ‘N warning’ letter issued

Remember…..

Your work in Year 10 will provide the foundations for senior studyEstablish sound study habits nowDo your best for all class and assessment workRespond to feedbackBe well organised and well prepared

Any Questions ??