STAGE 5
PROSPECTUS AND
ASSESSMENT INFORMATION
· Year 9 – 2013 Year 10 – 2014
· Year 10 – 2013
WELCOME TO TOMAREE HIGH SCHOOL
INTRODUCTION
This booklet for Year 9 and 10 students contains information on the Assessment Policy and the arrangement and content of courses in Stage 5 (Years 9 and 10) 2013 – 2014.
“Learning is lifelong” is often the remark of many people and the fact that statistics show that most people will be employed in multiple jobs throughout their life means that Stage 5 is simply the foundation on which to build further learning.
It is important to all students (and parents) to realise that Stage 5 is a challenging period. Demands on students will generally be greater than those experienced in Stage 4, penalties usually apply for handing in work that is late and there is a competitive nature in each subject area.
In any course the work completed will be part of the progressive assessment. In all subjects students will be informed of their performance at the completion of each task or test. Satisfactory completion of all tasks will ensure that the requirements of Stage 5 are met in each subject.
It is important that students select their electives with care, since these courses will be entered on their Record of School Achievement.
Having experienced a variety of courses in Stage 4 (Years 7 and 8), students should now have a good idea of their needs, interests and abilities. It is vital that these choices should be considered carefully since changes cannot be easily made once the Stage 5 courses begin.
We hope this booklet will enable students and parents to understand the curriculum and to make informed choices. Further assistance will be provided to students by the Student Adviser, Class Teacher or Head Teacher. Parents wishing advice should contact the School and assistance will be given.
Good luck with your studies in Stage 5.
Peter .Partridge
Principal
TOMAREE HIGH SCHOOL
COURSE PATTERN
1. CORE SUBJECTS
These subjects are compulsory for all students. They are studied for the full school year of 41 weeks.
· English 7 periods per cycle
· Mathematics 7 periods per cycle
· Science 7 periods per cycle
· PD/H/PE 4 periods per cycle
· History/ Geography 7 periods per cycle
Students who are deemed “unsatisfactory” in any of the above subjects will receive an “N” determination.
2. ELECTIVES
These subjects are studied for two years (Years 9 and 10) and will be listed on the student’s Record of School Achievement. Students should choose TWO electives and are advised to select subjects which match their interests, needs and abilities. These subjects will receive an allocation of 6 periods per cycle.
NB. While every effort will be made to meet student choices, it may be necessary for further choices to be made where -
i) Insufficient students elect a subject to form a class,
ii) Too many students seek a particular course which must be limited because of other factors, e.g. computing studies.
3. SPORT
Sport is a part of the school curriculum and a requirement for the Record of School Achievement. It is also necessary for the physical and social development of adolescents. Sport is currently scheduled during Wednesday afternoons from 11.57am until 2.00pm. Accordingly please make dental and/or other appointments at other times unless it is an emergency. Please do not make routine medical appointments during sports afternoon.
ELECTIVE SUBJECTS
Subject Faculty .
Agriculture Science/Agriculture
Caring for Children Home Economics
Commerce HSIE
Computing Studies Computing
Dance Creative Arts
Design and Technology (food, fashion, computers) Home Economics
Design and Technology (Industrial Arts) Industrial Arts
Drama Creative Arts
Elective Geography HSIE
Elective History HSIE
Food Technology Home Economics
French Languages
Graphics Technology Industrial Arts
Industrial Technology – Multimedia Computers Computing
IT Ceramics Creative Arts
IT Engineering Industrial Arts
IT Metal Industrial Arts
IT Timber Industrial Arts
Music Creative Arts
Physical Activity and Sport Studies PDHPE
Textile Technology Home Economics
Visual Arts Creative Arts
Visual Design Creative Arts
CONTACT PEOPLE
Principal Mr Peter Partridge
Deputy Principals Mr Paul Baxter (Yrs 7, 9 and 11 in 2013) and
Ms Jennifer Florey (Yrs 8, 10 and 12 in 2013)
Year Adviser Year 9 Mr Gary Stuart
Year 10 Miss Sarah Bergan
Careers Adviser Ms Robyn Nichols
Head Teachers Ms Kerrie Fishlock - English
Mr Rod Lyon - Mathematics
Mr Ray Milton - HSIE
Mr Brad Foley - Administration
Mr Steve Fogwill - Science/Agriculture
Mr Lindsay Brown - Industrial Arts
Mr Rob Henderson -VET
Ms Sue D’Arcy -Home Economics
Mr Jim Papworth - PD/H/PE/Aboriginal Education
Mrs Sue McPherson - Special Education
Mrs Alita Knaggs - Creative Arts
Ms Christine Roberts - Teaching and Learning/LOTE
Mrs Vicki McCleer - Student Welfare
Mr Scott O’Hara - Student Welfare
Counsellors Ms Pam Peterson
Mr Matt Clements
Librarian Mr Eddie Zeidan
Senior Admin Manager Mrs Vianney Bills
Defence Mentor Mrs Debra Mould
Pastor Mr Greg Smith
The above are key people you may wish to consult.
INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS
WHEN CAN I CHANGE SUBJECTS OR COURSES?
While most students will study each course over the whole of two years, there may be cases where it is in the student’s best interest to change courses either within or between subject areas. It is expected that the Principal will keep course changes to a minimum. The Principal will only approve a change of subject if convinced the student can complete all work set and be assessed effectively in the new subject.
HOW IS MY ACHIEVEMENT MEASURED?
This is done through school assessments throughout each course, based on set tasks.
Students may be assessed in some or all of the following ways:
· Written, practical and/or aural/oral tests*
· Class tests and/or home assignments, including essays and practical tasks
· Projects of varying length and complexity
· Oral presentations*
· Observation of student participation in individual and group activities related to the course, including class discussions and fieldwork where appropriately stipulated.
Please Note:
* in all oral assessment tasks students must speak to an audience consisting of their class group or course group. Failure to do so will result in an “N” determination for the task unless the student has a valid reason and submits an Illness and Misadventure Form with appropriate supporting documentation.
Semester based exams are also used which measures performance under exam conditions. The final judgement of the grade deserved is made on the basis of available assessment information and with reference to the Course Performance Descriptors. The grade awarded provides the best overall description of the student’s achievement.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I SUFFER SOME ILLNESS / MISADVENTURE ON THE DAY OF AN ASSESSMENT TASK?
· Sit the assessment task at the scheduled time, if at all possible, then appeal for special consideration using the Tomaree High School – Leave / Illness / Accident or Misadventure Appeal Form. You must attach appropriate, substantive, independent evidence that supports your appeal. A parental note does not provide sufficient evidence.
· Under these circumstances, when the appeal is upheld, the student will receive the higher of their:
a) actual assessment task mark
b) estimated assessment task mark (calculated at the end of the course - as per HSC illness and misadventure procedures)
WHAT IF I AM ABSENT FROM AN ASSESSMENT TASK?
· The Board expects each candidate to complete all assessment tasks.
· A candidate must attempt tasks worth more than 50% of the assessment marks.
· WHERE THERE IS NO VALID REASON, THE LATE SUBMISSION OF A TASK WILL RESULT IN A MARK OF ZERO.
· The illness/misadventure appeals process does not cover:
c) Difficulties in preparation or loss of preparation time: (eg. Through a family holiday)
d) Alleged deficiencies in tuition;
e) Loss of time or facilities prior to the task or examination
f) Misreading the assessment or examination schedule;
g) Long-term illness such as glandular fever, asthma and epilepsy – unless there is evidence of a sudden recurrence during the examination or at the time of the assessment task due date
· If you are absent from a task you must:
a) On the first day you return to school go to the school office or collect a Leave/Illness/Accident/Misadventure Appeal Form and follow the instructions. You must attach to it appropriate substantive evidence to show your absence was legitimate, e.g. in the case of illness, a doctors certificate. For reasons other than illness, some other form of evidence is required, e.g. a police report, funeral notice. A parental note does not provide sufficient evidence.
b) Complete the appeal form (ask your teacher for assistance if needed) Note: you must clearly indicate the request you are making in the Appeal Request section of the appeal form. Take this form home to have it signed. Independent students will sign on their own behalf.
c) On your first day back at school hand in the assessment task to your class teacher. If the task is not available and is subject to an appeal the Illness Misadventure Appeal Form must be handed to the class teacher within five school days or zero will be recorded.
d) If you know you are going to be absent for a task you should submit the appeal form before the absence.
e) If you are absent on the day of the task you are encouraged to send your task with a reliable friend or relative to the Administration Office who will record that you have submitted the task. The task will be given to the class teacher. You will receive a receipt for the task. The task could also be mailed to the school through the certified mail process.
f) Failure to submit the assessment task and/or the appeal form within five days may result in “0” and an “N” award notification.
· Under usual circumstances when the appeal is upheld the appropriate Deputy Principal will then determine one of the following courses of action;
(i) accept task - no marks awarded
(ii) task submitted at a later date with no loss of marks
(iii) alternative task given (if reasonable and feasible)
(iv) estimate given at the end of the course (as per HSC illness and misadventure procedures)
· Where the Head Teacher and/or appropriate Deputy Principal does not consider an appeal valid a zero mark will be awarded.
· The student will be informed of the decision pending the submission of an illness/misadventure form.
· The Head of Department will inform the Deputy Principal of the candidate’s position where a candidate is falling behind in the completion of an assessment task. This notification will take the form of a ‘N’ WARNING LETTER re Stage 5 Course. The Deputy Principal will inform the candidate’s parents/caregivers in writing of the failure to complete tasks.
· Students’ will be given the opportunity to redeem the task this process will include consultation with the classroom teacher and the Head Teacher concerned. Once a student has redeemed the overdue assessment task a mark of zero still applies, however the “N” determination for that task is withdrawn.
· Where a candidate fails to attempt more than 50% of the Assessment Marks then this will result in the issuing of a ‘N’ determination for that subject.
· Good Discipline and Effective Learning – Procedures for suspension, expulsion of school students’: The decision to expel a student from the school may be made on the basis of “unsatisfactory participation in learning by a student of post-compulsory age, eg a documented pattern of non-satisfactory completion, non-serious attempts to meet course objectives, and/or non-compliance with Board of Studies requirements for the Record of School Achievement or Higher School Certificate.”
HOW DO I APPEAL A DECISION MADE ABOUT MY APPLICATION FOR ILLNESS / MISADVENTURE?
If you do not agree with the decision and/or recommendation made by the Head Teacher and its’ subsequent ratification by the appropriate Deputy Principal you are able to make a written complaint to the Review Committee. The written complaint should be made to the convener of the appropriate review committee within seven days.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I SUBMIT A TASK LATE?
An appeal form (submitted to either the Head of Department or class teacher) must accompany the late submission of any task. The Appeal Form must be collected at the front office.
· Appeals should be submitted as soon as the student returns to school or as soon as the need to appeal becomes evident (before the event). Failure to appeal in the timeframe outlined by this policy could result in the rejection of the appeal.
· All appeals will be considered however a Doctors Certificate or some other form of independent evidence must accompany the appeal form.
· The Appeals will be considered in consultation with the Class Teacher / Head of Department and the appropriate Deputy Principal. The decision will be given to you in writing on the original appeal form.
COMPUTERS AND OTHER REFERENCE MATERIAL USED FOR ASSESSMENT TASKS
· Computer malfunction is not an acceptable reason for lateness in a task. Responsible students will have a hard copy, a back-up file on disk and the original file on their computer hard drive.
· It is unacceptable for students to print off work from the Internet or other sources and present as their own work. Students who do this will receive zero for that section of the task. Likewise, correct annotation of information and quotes must be completed for all quotes and policy used. Students must not copy large pieces of information
· In the case of printer malfunction work can be brought on disk or the file can be emailed to school at
WHAT IF I FAIL TO COMPLETE NON-ASSESSMENT TASKS?
Students should realise that NON-ASSESSMENT tasks are important in the context of the whole course. Such tasks provide valuable practice for assessment tasks, exam preparation and the feedback component of all Stage 5 syllabuses. When certifying for the Record of School Achievement (RoSA), a student’s satisfactory progress and completion of course work, the Principal can consider involvement in BOTH assessment and non-assessment tasks. “N” Warning Letters may be issued for non-completion of any work, assessable or not.