Learning and Teaching at the College…

Next week has been deemed a pupil free week. So, what does that mean?? 

- No online learning and teaching

- No zooms

- No assessment tasks 

If students had an assessment task scheduled for next week it will be rescheduled to a time in Term 2. Students will receive notification regarding these changes today. 

Students are encouraged to take some time to consolidate work from Term 1, whilst also taking some time to connect with family, and refresh physically, emotionally and spiritually. 

Advice from NESA for HSC students: Current as 2 April 2020 

Higher School Certificate

The Higher School Certificate (HSC) is going ahead in 2020.

A COVID-19 Response Committee is addressing developing issues as a matter of urgency.

A Technical Advisory Committee of assessment experts and stakeholders is working on a fair and equitable way to calculate a mark for cancelled components of the HSC.

Key dates and deadlines currently listed on the NESA website are subject to change due to the COVID-19 outbreak. NESA will continue to update you with exceptions and changes to relevant deadlines. 

Advice to students

• Keep learning, do your assessments, make progress on your major projects.
• Look after yourself, whether you are at school or at home.
• Reach out to family, friends and your teachers if you need to.
• Go to UAC COVID-19 updatesfor information about entering university in 2021.

School-based HSC assessment

Schools must follow social distancing requirements when planning or undertaking school-based assessment tasks.

NESA has given principals and system authorities the power to determine the number, type and weighting of tasks for HSC and Year 11 school-based assessment.

NESA’s principles of assessment continue to apply. Wherever possible, school-based assessment should continue to be:

• based on a wide range of syllabus outcomes
• based on multiple measures made throughout the HSC course
• informed by the components identified in the assessment and reporting documents for each of the syllabuses
• be inclusive of and accessible for all students.

Processes, procedures and policies

Schools should continue to implement their assessment policy where possible, including administrative arrangements for illness/misadventure and substitute tasks.

Given that most schools will make some changes to their assessment program, they should continue to ensure that students have adequate written notice of any changes to the school’s assessment program or policy, and are aware of the details of the school’s arrangements for illness/misadventure and substitute tasks.  

HSC exam projects, submitted works and performances

The mandatory group performance exam in Drama and the mandatory ensemble performance exam in Music Extension have been cancelled for 2020.

Detailed advice about cancellation of these components will be available on the NESA website soon.

Other performance exams will be modified if they breach mandatory social distancing requirements.

The next meeting of the COVID-19 Response Committee will focus on major projects for Visual Arts, Design and Technology, Industrial Technology, Textiles and Design, English Ext 2 and Society and Culture.

Mandatory work placement in VET

Students are no longer required to undertake NESA-mandated VET work placements.

HSC disability provisions

NESA advises schools to continue submitting disability provisions applications for the 2020 HSC exams.

Disability provisions for school-based assessments and exams remain school decisions.

Ms Judith Tolomeo

Curriculum Coordinator