1. Wollongong HS of the Performing Arts School Certificate Information Evening

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

3. Guide to the School Certificate

4. 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

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

6. 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

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

10. Grades, Reporting and Assessment

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. Course Performance Descriptors ECBDA

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

18. Do your best no matter what the challenges

19. The School Certificate Tests and Credentials

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

21. 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)

22. 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.

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. The School Certificate Testamur

30. The Record of Achievement

31. 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

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

33. 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.

34. 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

35. ‘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

36. ‘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

37. ‘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

38. ‘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

46. 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

47. Any Questions ??