Curriculum News

Year 12 External Assessment

Last Friday our Year 12 students commenced their External Assessment block with Music and Economics exams. This week the boys have already sat English, Accounting, Design, Music Extension and Physical Education papers. I would like to congratulate the boys on the way they have entered these assessments prepared with the required equipment and positive attitudes. It is also great to see boys working really hard during the examination sessions including writing and editing their responses right up until the last remaining minute to ensure their best work is submitted. I encourage them to keep up this great effort!

Throughout the exam block, Year 12 teachers are available to further assist if boys have any additional questions. To access their teachers, boys need to email them in order to arrange a tutorial time that is suitable.

If a student is sick on the day of an exam, please call the College sick line as early as possible to inform us of his absence. A medical certificate will need to be attained to explain the absence. As per QCAA rules, the medical certificate needs to include:

• The illness, condition or event (including details of diagnosis). The medical certificate cannot say ‘being treated for a medical condition’;
• Date of diagnosis, onset or occurrence;
• Symptoms, treatment or course of action related to the condition; and
• Explanation of the probable effect of illness, condition or event on the student’s participation in the assessment.

As with other exam blocks, Year 12 students are only required on campus for their scheduled assessment. During this exam block, all normal College rules apply including the wearing of full and correct College uniform. Students are also expected to travel directly to and from school without congregating at shops, outside other schools, etc.

If you have any questions or concerns about the external exam block, please do not hesitate to contact Jen Smeed, Head of Senior School Curriculum at smeedj@marash.qld.edu.au

Year 12 boys are also reminded that the Wellbeing Hub runs meditation sessions before each External Assessment. These sessions begin 35 minutes prior to the exam start time and run for approx. 15 minutes. They are designed to provide some stillness for students in order to help calm nerves before entering exams. There is no need to book, just turn up! If you would like more information please email Mr Ruiz at ruizj@marash.qld.edu.au

Year 7-11 Assessment Schedule

The assessment schedule for Year 7-11 has been released to Student Café and Parent Portal. To access these schedules please use the following instructions located here. 

Year 7-11 Exam Block

Students in Years 7-11 have now been emailed the exam block for Weeks 7-8 of this term. Please encourage your son to check this carefully for the dates of his exams.

The Year 10 and 11 Term 4 exam blocks will run from Tuesday 16 November to Tuesday 23 November. During this time these students will only need attend the College, in full school uniform, for their scheduled assessments. 

The Year 7-9 Term 4 exam block will run from Monday 15th November to Tuesday 23rd November. During this time students will attend regular classes, unless in scheduled assessment. 

Students who are unable to complete scheduled assessment during exam block in Years 7-9 will be required to make up these assessments on Tuesday 23 November from 3:30pm-5:00pm in the senior library. 

Year 5-11 Awards 

The 2021 5-11 Awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday from 6pm. This ceremony recognises achievement across many areas of College life including mission, culture, sport, character and academics. The academic awards that will be presented on the night include:

• Year 5-11 Top of subject awards for the highest level of achievement in each subject. For the majority of subjects this is based on results across Terms 1 to 3. However, for semesterised courses this is based on Semester 1;
• Year 5,7 and 9 high achievement in NAPLAN awards;
• Year 5-11 Dux (top of cohort based on GPA) and Proxime Accessit (2nd in cohort based on GPA).

We look forward to celebrating the academic achievements of these students next week.

High Achievers Morning Tea

As outlined last week, on Monday 18 October and Wednesday 20 October we congratulated our high achievers at a morning tea. The following students are to be congratulated on their strong academic achievement as outlined on their Term 3 (Years 7-10) or Unit 2 (Year 11) reports cards. 

Student Laptop Program – Year 7 and 10, 2022

In 2022, MCA will be moving to a school owned laptop program for students in Year 7 and 10. This device will further provide our students with the tools they need to be innovative, discriminative and confident users of information communication and learning technologies. For students entering Year 7 and 10 in 2022, you will receive your computer on Thursday 27 January at a parent/student information evening. Further information regarding timings and potential COVID-19 restrictions will be provided in due course. 

Year 7, 2022

On Friday, Year 7 families for 2022 were provided with information regarding the student laptop program and stationary list. If you did not receive this email please contact rosenbergr@marash.qld.edu.au

Week 4 Study Tips @ Study Hall

This week in Study Hall students will be reflecting on how they study and learning the difference between active vs passive study.

Passive study includes:

• reading over notes
• re-reading information in a textbook
• highlighting large chunks of information
• listening to information
• watching a demonstration or documentary

Active study includes:

• rewriting and revising notes into their ‘own words’
• making outlines
• using flashcards
• teaching the material to someone
• answering practice problems

During these sessions we are encouraging the boys to check their exam timetable, study smarter not harder, map out their study plan, clarify what exactly is being tested and finally focus on getting drafts completed, so they are not stressed about assignments during exam block.

Study Hall is on Tuesday 3:30pm - 5:00pm and repeated Thursday 7:45am - 8:30am.

myQCE Student Reference Group

The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) is recruiting new members for the myQCE Student Reference Group in 2022.

The group gives students in Years 10, 11 and 12 the chance to have their say about the QCE system processes and senior schooling.

Queensland students who will be in Year 10 (in 2022) are eligible to apply. The group meets up to six times per year and membership is ongoing until students graduate from Year 12.

Nominations close on Friday 29 October 2021 to nominate, click here: myQCE website

More information is available on the myQCE website at https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/get-involved.html