Acting Assistant Principal- Curriculum
Teaching and Learning
Week 3 was exceptionally busy with Year 7 and 9 students completing NAPLAN online for the second year in a row at McCarthy. I was very impressed with the way students applied themselves and their preparedness and organisation was fantastic. Very simply, we asked the students to do their best.
Some Half Yearly Examinations are scheduled in the Hall during Week 6, others will be conducted in class. Students will be given a timetable during mentor group this week. We continue to encourage students to give their best effort in all assessments. Again, making sure students are demonstrating their real ability on the day is very important. Teachers spend time analysing results and making adjustments, so it is important that we are looking at the true ‘snapshot’ of a student at that moment in time.
Please make sure you attend all examinations with the correct equipment and follow the instructions on your published timetable. Copies will also be available in the College Office. It is very important that students who have genuinely unavoidable absence, follow the procedures outlined below and include the required documentation.
Exam Procedures for students include:
- Please be prepared with appropriate equipment needed for each exam: paper, pens, pencils, eraser, ruler, tissues & any other specific items as notified by your teacher.
- Mobile phones devices and smart watches are not to be brought into the Hall – leave them in your bag which will be locked in the Foyer.
- If you wear a watch into the Hall, it must be removed from your wrist and placed on the desk in full view.
- If you bring in a pencil case or clear water bottle, it must be placed on the floor.
- Go to the toilet before an exam.
Appropriate behaviour is expected:
- Follow teacher instructions
- Do not speak to other students
- Sit quietly when you have finished the exam, you are not allowed to leave early.
- Respect other students’ right to complete their exam without disturbance.
If you are unwell, a phone call to the College or email to rmaxworthy@mccarthy.nsw.edu.au from your parent is required before the start of the examination and a medical certificate MUST be presented on your return. Your medical certificate must be attached to a blue ‘Application for Extension of or Special Consideration for an Assessment Task ‘. These are available from the College Office. Please forward this completed application to Mrs Maxworthy by handing it into the Administration staff.
Where to go for help with Study Skills?
The College has a subscription to Study Skills Handbook which can be accessed through McCarthy Catholic Colleges Online Learning Environment. Students can also approach their teachers for subject specific advice.
Our school’s subscription details are -
Username: mccarthycc
Password: 77success
Minimum Standards Testing
Year 10 students will undertake the first round of Minimum Standards online tests in the Hall during the Half Yearly Examination period. The standard is set at level 3 of the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF), which means students will have the basic reading, writing and maths skills needed for everyday tasks and future learning after school. It includes skills for tasks such as:
following safety instructions in equipment manuals
understanding a mobile phone plan
writing a job application
creating a personal weekly budget.
Sample tests can be accessed by clicking on this link: https://hscliteracynumeracy.nesa.nsw.edu.au/
Together with the NSW Literacy and Numeracy Strategy, the HSC minimum standard is part of an effort to improve the literacy and numeracy outcomes for students. NESA have further information, including a short video to explain these reforms which can be accessed via the following link: http://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/11-12/hsc/hsc-minimum-standard
Mrs Raelene Maxworthy - Acting Assistant Principal Curriculum