1. Subject Selection for Preliminary 2007 HSC 2008 1 Subject Selection Information Night for Preliminary 2012 and HSC 2013 Welcome to year 10 students and their parents/carers Marsden High School August 2011

2. School leaving age From 2010, all NSW students must complete Year 10 After Year 10 - and until they turn 17 - students must be: After Year 10 - and until they turn 17 - students must be: in school, or registered for home schooling, or in school, or registered for home schooling, or in approved education or training (eg TAFE, traineeship, apprenticeship) or in approved education or training (eg TAFE, traineeship, apprenticeship) or in full-time, paid employment (average 25 hours/week) or in full-time, paid employment (average 25 hours/week) or in a combination of work, education and/or training in a combination of work, education and/or training

3. Higher School Certificate (HSC) The HSC is the highest educational award you can gain in NSW schools. It requires: Satisfactory completion of 2 years of senior study comprising: at least 12 units in Year 11 (Preliminary) andat least 12 units in Year 11 (Preliminary) and at least 10 units in Year 12 (HSC).at least 10 units in Year 12 (HSC). The HSC: The HSC:  is an internationally recognised credential  provides a strong foundation for the future  is standards-based. Students receive HSC marks that indicate the standard they have achieved. 3

4. HSC: All My Own Work  Helps HSC students follow the principles and practices of good scholarship  Includes understanding and valuing ethical practices when locating and using information as part of HSC studies. All students must complete HSC: All My Own Work or its equivalent before they can be entered for any Preliminary or HSC course. All students must complete HSC: All My Own Work or its equivalent before they can be entered for any Preliminary or HSC course.

5. Pathways Students have 5 years from the commencement of Year 11 to accumulate units towards their HSC and their ATAR. Students have 5 years from the commencement of Year 11 to accumulate units towards their HSC and their ATAR. The Pathways alternative accommodates students who experience personal difficulties, disability or illness during their senior studies. The Pathways alternative accommodates students who experience personal difficulties, disability or illness during their senior studies. 5

6. Choosing the right subjects Consider the following….. ability ability interests interests motivation motivation career aspirations career aspirations prerequisites prerequisites credit transfer. credit transfer. Select subjects carefully as most subjects extend over 2 years and to change is difficult, sometimes impossible. 6

7. Year 11 is called the Preliminary HSC 12 units minimum including - 2 units of English 6 courses (including English) Year 12 is called HSC 10 units minimum including - 2 units of English 5 courses (including English)

8. Assessment and Reporting How will I be assessed? Students are required to complete school-based assessment tasks for Board Developed HSC courses. These count for 50% of the overall mark in each course (except VET courses). Assessment tasks measure performance in a wider range of objectives than may be tested in an examination eg speeches, performance. How will my results be reported? Moderated school based assessment and examination results for most courses will be reported in your Higher School Certificate Folio which includes a Record of Achievement and individual Course Reports. 8

9. What sort of HSC do you want? HSC + ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) HSC + ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) HSC + ATAR + VET qualification HSC + ATAR + VET qualification HSC + VET + TAFE qualifications HSC + VET + TAFE qualifications HSC + part-time traineeship HSC + part-time traineeship Vocational HSC Vocational HSC

10. Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (The ATAR) You need a ATAR if you wish to enter university straight from school. The purpose of the ATAR is to provide a measure of overall academic achievement in the HSC. Some courses will also require additional selection criteria such as interview, audition or portfolio. You need a ATAR if you wish to enter university straight from school. The purpose of the ATAR is to provide a measure of overall academic achievement in the HSC. Some courses will also require additional selection criteria such as interview, audition or portfolio. It is optional It is optional The ATAR is a rank not a mark The ATAR is a rank not a mark It may be accumulated over 5 years It may be accumulated over 5 years

11. Term 1Term 2Term 3Term 4 2012Preliminary HSC courses 12 units HSC courses 10 units 2013HSC Course (Continued) 10 units HSC examinations Stage 6 – 2 Year program of study 11

12. What are units? 1 unit 2 units 50 marks100 marks Most courses are of 2 unit value 60 hours = 3 periods per cycle 120 hours = 7 periods per cycle

13. What are the different types of courses? Board Developed Courses (ATAR) Board Developed Courses (ATAR) Board Endorsed Courses (no ATAR) Board Endorsed Courses (no ATAR)

14. Board Developed Courses 2 unit courses and 1 unit extension courses 2 unit courses and 1 unit extension courses Extension courses in Preliminary are offered in English and Maths Extension courses in Preliminary are offered in English and Maths Extension courses in the HSC are offered in English, Maths, History and Languages Extension courses in the HSC are offered in English, Maths, History and Languages Count towards your ATAR Count towards your ATAR Include some VET courses Include some VET courses

15. Board Endorsed Courses count towards your HSC do not count towards your ATAR are 2 unit courses may be studied for one year only or can be continued in Year 12 have no external exam - assessment is entirely school based e.g. Marine Studies, Sport Lifestyle & Recreation, Work Studies Includes some TVET courses

16. TVET Courses (TAFE delivered VET) 2 Unit Industry Framework or Non Industry Framework courses. 2 Unit Industry Framework or Non Industry Framework courses. Courses are delivered by TAFE teachers at Ryde, Meadowbank, Ultimo, North Sydney, Bradfield and Hornsby, usually Tuesday 2- 6 pm. Courses are delivered by TAFE teachers at Ryde, Meadowbank, Ultimo, North Sydney, Bradfield and Hornsby, usually Tuesday 2- 6 pm. TVET courses are outlined in the subject selection booklet. TVET courses are outlined in the subject selection booklet. Entry into courses is competitive. Closing date for courses for 2012 is August 2011. Entry into courses is competitive. Closing date for courses for 2012 is August 2011. TAFE is an adult education environment. It has requirements for attendance, equipment, uniforms, behaviour and examinations. TAFE is an adult education environment. It has requirements for attendance, equipment, uniforms, behaviour and examinations. 16

17. Pathway - TAFE to University YrCourseCostCourseCost 2014 Adv Dip in Info Technology (IT) TAFE 1528 1 st Year Computing Uni 7756 2015 Adv Dip in Info Technology (IT) TAFE 1528 2 nd Year Computing Uni 7756 2116 2 nd Year Computing Uni 7756 3 rd Year Computing Uni 7756 2017 3rd Year Computing Uni 7756 TOTAL 18568 TOTAL 23268 17

18. VET Courses Are part of the National Industry Framework Are part of the National Industry Framework Give you advanced standing or credit transfer for TAFE courses in the future Give you advanced standing or credit transfer for TAFE courses in the future Include compulsory Work Placements Include compulsory Work Placements Are Board Developed Courses Are Board Developed Courses Count towards your HSC Count towards your HSC Some count towards your ATAR (as category B courses as long as you sit for the HSC exam) eg Construction, Hospitality, Tourism. Some count towards your ATAR (as category B courses as long as you sit for the HSC exam) eg Construction, Hospitality, Tourism.

19. VET Work Placement Each VET course has a mandatory 70 hours of work placement during the 2 year course. Each VET course has a mandatory 70 hours of work placement during the 2 year course. Work placement gives students the opportunity to practice in a commercial setting the skills and competencies learnt in class. Work placement gives students the opportunity to practice in a commercial setting the skills and competencies learnt in class. 19

20. VET HSC at Marsden Students studying the VET HSC will gain the following: A NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC) A NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC) Priority into TVET courses whilst still at school Priority into TVET courses whilst still at school A nationally recognised TAFE Credential – up to Certificate II qualification in their respective VET subject (ie. Retail, Hospitality or Construction) A nationally recognised TAFE Credential – up to Certificate II qualification in their respective VET subject (ie. Retail, Hospitality or Construction) Enhanced chances of gaining entry into high demand TAFE courses after school due to their skills and experiences Enhanced chances of gaining entry into high demand TAFE courses after school due to their skills and experiences Credit transfer from HSC subjects towards TAFE courses Credit transfer from HSC subjects towards TAFE courses Barista certificate and experience in Café Doonya Barista certificate and experience in Café Doonya Extensive experience in the workplace. (35 hour mandatory work placement per year). Extensive experience in the workplace. (35 hour mandatory work placement per year). 20

21. What are the rules to achieve the HSC in 2013? Year 11 2012 Year 12 2013 Preliminary Course - 12 units HSC Course – 10 units at least 2 units of English 6 units of Board Developed Courses at least 4 different subjects at least 3 courses of 2 unit value no more than 6 units of Science courses

22. Selecting HSC Courses What do I like? What do I need to or want to know ? What am I good at ?

23. How do you know which English course to study?  You MUST study English for Years 11 & 12  2 units of English MUST count in your best 10 units for your ATAR  Students who are aiming for a very high ATAR are advantaged by studying English Advanced and Extension 1…..maybe Extension 2 in the HSC  Be realistic about your achievements and abilities in Year 10 English

24. How do you know which Maths course to study? Maths is not compulsory for the HSC or ATAR however a majority of tertiary courses expect a certain level of knowledge. Attempt the more difficult course if you are capable. Be realistic about your achievements and abilities in Maths Some university courses may require at least 2 unit Maths (not General Maths)

25. Don’t be trapped by poor choices in Year 11! If you intend to drop back to 10 units in year 12 and you want an ATAR: If you intend to drop back to 10 units in year 12 and you want an ATAR:  Avoid counting Category B courses in your 10 units  Don’t study 2 category B courses eg. VET You can’t change courses in the HSC

26. HSC Academic HSC Need to do at least 10 Board-developed units Need to do at least 10 Board-developed units Wanting to gain entry to university Wanting to gain entry to university Should be sitting in top half of every subject across all of year 10. Should be sitting in top half of every subject across all of year 10. Must do English Must do English Vocational HSC Need to do at least 6 Board-developed units Need to do at least 6 Board-developed units Wanting to gain entry to high demand TAFE Wanting to gain entry to high demand TAFEcourses Not as academically rigorous – more workplace components. Not as academically rigorous – more workplace components. Must do English Must do English 26

27. Saturday School of Community Languages Students may choose to study their background community language to HSC level outside school hours. This can be done through the Saturday School of Community Languages. All the language courses are 2 Unit Board Developed Courses and are counted towards the ATAR as Category A subjects. See booklet for the list of courses and centres. 27

28. Course Information Marsden HSC Course Information handbook (Note that some courses attract fees that are compulsory.) All course syllabuses are available on the NSW Board of Studies website: www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au BOS Information Booklet for Year 10 Students 2011 – Studying for the HSC 28

29. What do you have to do in the next few days? Read the Handbook Read the Handbook Read the University Entry requirements Handbook [UAC.edu.au website] Read the University Entry requirements Handbook [UAC.edu.au website] Ask questions of teachers, Head Teachers, senior students, Principal and Deputy Principals Ask questions of teachers, Head Teachers, senior students, Principal and Deputy Principals Speak to the Careers Adviser Speak to the Careers Adviser Submit your subject choices on line, on time and without error. Submit your subject choices on line, on time and without error.

30. Further Support Year Adviser - Ms Howes/Mrs Woodland Year Adviser - Ms Howes/Mrs Woodland Deputy Year 10 – Ms Paczkowski Deputy Year 10 – Ms Paczkowski School Counsellors – Mr Ryan, Ms Karas School Counsellors – Mr Ryan, Ms Karas Careers Adviser – Mrs Hart Careers Adviser – Mrs Hart Subject teachers – they are the experts in their fields Subject teachers – they are the experts in their fields © Marsden High School 2011