Term 4, Week 6

The formal assessment weeks for Years 7-10 are now completed. This does not mean students have nothing to do for the rest of the year. All subjects still have mandatory work to be completed to meet syllabus requirements. A number of subjects still have informal tasks to complete which contribute towards final semester grades and students still have the opportunity to demonstrate the level of achievement in regard to the outcomes that they are working towards that will be on their reports. Students are still required to be at school and working diligently. It is also a great opportunity to further develop / refine the skills needed as students move into the next year group / stage next year.

Year 11 students have now had their final patterns of study confirmed with NESA. For a number of students this has involved dropping one subject from their Pattern of Study. For others they have maintained a full Pattern of Study but can drop one subject if/when they feel it is appropriate. By dropping a subject students generally receive 9 free lessons on their schedule. Students are reminded to ensure that these lessons should not be treated as ‘free periods’, rather an opportunity to consolidate learning, catch up on missed work or unfinished work, complete set homework or start on assessments. Students have been spoken to about the importance of establishing these positive learning habits early to not only support their own efforts but to also minimise the disruption of other students during these lessons as well. The last 2-3 weeks of term 4 are a very busy time for Year 11 with most subjects scheduling their first formal HSC assessment at this time. Students should be using their time at school and home wisely to start planning and working on these tasks, submitting drafts, or getting feedback from teachers to help minimise workload and potential stress/anxiety around this time.

Year 10 students not already doing a Pathways elective or the Studies of Religion 1 unit HSC course were spoken to about the All My OWN Work course this week. AMOW is a NESA mandated course that all students in NSW need to complete before they can begin Year 11 Coursework. The course is designed to help HSC students follow the principles and practices of good scholarship. This includes understanding, valuing, and using ethical practices when locating and using information as part of their HSC studies. Students will be given some time in class to successfully complete the 5 modules associated with the course but will need to complete in their own time if they are absent or do not finish any of the required modules. The course needs to be completed before the end of the year. Students are not allowed to begin Year 11 course work unless the course has been completed. Students in Year 9 who are doing a Pathways elective or beginning the SOR1 course in Year 10 next year also need to complete the AMOW course. These students will be provided with the information and process to follow to complete the course in a year meeting early in week 7.

Across the next 2 weeks students in Years 8 and 9 will receive their confirmation of elective subjects for 2024. We ask that parents review, sign off and return to the Curriculum office ASAP so that these subjects can be confirmed, and students placed in the appropriate classes for 2024.

Mr Brett Moran

Curriculum Coordinator