Week 2 Term 3

Subject Selections for 2024

The processes for subject selection impacting students in Years 8-10 are well underway. Students in Year 9 and 10 have been spoken to in relation to their choices for 2024. Parents are encouraged to have conversations with their children to determine what options are best for them. Year 9 will have the option of selecting a Year 11 Course as part of their studies next year. The Pathways initiative is enabling students to control the pace of studies through Stage 6. Students in Year 10 are making their final choices this week. Students in Year 8 will be spoken to about their elective choices in the coming weeks. I encourage parents to contact me in the Curriculum Office if you have any questions shanahanm01@dow.catholic.edu.au.

HSC Trial Exams

We wish all our Year 12 students and Year 11 Pathways students all the very best as they begin HSC Trial Exams on Monday. These exams provide students important preparation for the actual HSC Exams later in the year.

Naplan

NAPLAN was held for students in Years 7 and Year 9 earlier this year in term 1. We have now been provided with the students results which we have sent home with students this week. The student reports have changed this year.  Education ministers have agreed to change the way NAPLAN results are reported to parents and carers, now that all students are taking the tests online, and with the move to an earlier NAPLAN in March. New proficiency standards with 4 levels of achievement for each year level will replace the previous 10-band structure that covered all 4 levels tested and the old National Minimum Standard set in 2008 when tests were on paper. The new proficiency standards include a baseline benchmark to identify students who are likely to need additional support.

The numerical NAPLAN bands and the national minimum standard will be replaced by the following 4 levels of achievement:

• Exceeding
• Strong
• Developing
• Needs additional support

The descriptors for each category will make it clear to parents what their child’s literacy and numeracy skills are at the time of NAPLAN testing, and support discussions with their school on their child’s progress.

Please refer to the flyer attached from ACARA for more information.

Mr Michael Shanahan

Acting Curriculum Coordinator