Deputy Principal's Report

Welcome back to Term 2!

This Term is a very busy time for our Stage 5 & 6 students in regards to NSW Educational Standards Authority (NESA) and national wide testing. 

Year 11 and 12 have all participated in their Minimum Standards test – which are a requirement for the awarding of the Higher School Certificate. 

Year 10 will be completing their Minimum Standards Tests in Term 2

MINIMUM STANDARD 

REFORM 1: Establish a minimum standard of literacy and numeracy for the award of the HSC 

• Students will be given a number of opportunities from Year 10 - Year 12 to demonstrate they have met the standard.
• Students who fall short of the standard by the end of Year 12 will receive the Record of School Achievement (RoSA) and have five years after leaving school to pass an online NESA literacy and numeracy test to receive a HSC.
• This reform will allow schools to work with parents to identify as early as possible students at risk of not meeting the minimum standard at the end of Year 10. It will identify students who require intervention and support to reach an appropriate standard to help them succeed in life after secondary school.

Years 7 & 9 will be completing their NAPLAN tests in Term 2 

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. It has been an everyday part of the school calendar since 2008.

NAPLAN tests the sorts of skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life such as reading, writing, spelling and numeracy. The assessments are undertaken nationwide, every year, in the second full week in May. At Henry Kendall High School we will be participating in the nationwide testing on the following days 

• Language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation)- Tuesday 11 May
• Writing - Tuesday 11  May
• Reading - Wednesday 12 May
• Numeracy - Thursday 13 May

NAPLAN tests skills in literacy and numeracy that are developed over time through the school curriculum.

The NAPLAN results will provide important information to schools about what each student can do, and will be used to support teaching and learning programs. Parents will receive a report indicating their child’s level of achievement.

A reminder that all students should ensure they have consumed a nutritious breakfast before all tests and that calculators are packed on Thursday to complete the numeracy paper.

Students are advised to purchase several 2B pencils, sharpener and eraser for the tests

We wish all our students the very best during this busy time. 

Other important dates to remember: 

Years 11 & 12 will receive their reports and invitations to the Parent Teacher Evening in Week 6, all staff are looking forward to discussing the Stage 6 progress of students with their parents and caregivers on Tuesday 1 June from 4.00pm in the Multi-Purpose Centre. 

Pathway to the Senior School

To help parents and caregivers understand the requirements of this ‘transition’ year, a Year 10 Stage 6 Senior Pathways Evening will be held on Thursday 22 May, 2021 at 7.00pm in the Multi-Purpose Centre. 

Key discussion points will be:

• Overview of the three study pathways available to students.
• NESA requirements and Vocational Education.
• Managing assessments and N-awards
• Planning for Year 11 - 2022
• Stage 6 Preparation Program Term 4, 2021
• Welfare and Academic Support Systems.

At this event all participants will be issued with an Information Booklet which highlights all subject information and additional descriptions about pathways. These events are the fundamental to holistic understanding of the transitional pathways into Senior School, so we urge all parents and care givers to attend.

Mrs Natalie Wearne 

Deputy Principal

Year 7, 9 & 11