Exam Block

Dean of Middle Years & Dean of Senior Years

Preparation for Assessment and Exams

During cohort meetings at the start of Term 1, students worked with the Dean of Middle Years or the Dean of Senior Years to:

set goals and determine the strategies needed to achieve these goals.
create personal study timetable based on the assessment calendars.
revisit high impact study techniques.

In classrooms, teachers have worked with students to incorporate a range of strategies which may include:

embed task related content and skills
provide formative feedbackmodel samples of A and C samples
provided student overviews which detail weekly/fortnightly areas for focus
provide revision guides in advance
provide opportunities for students to engage in additional reading and viewing
provide assessment support materials
pre-tests and mock exam conditions with opportunities for self, peer and teacher feedback

At academic mentoring, staff and academic mentors have worked with students to:

review worked examples
apply retrospective revision and interleaved study technique with support
request and respond to feedback

Yesterday, we had over 100 students participate in after-school study with our Academic Mentors and Teachers. It's wonderful to see so many students take advantage of this program. We extend our thanks to our dedicated Academic Mentors and Teachers for offering their time to ensure our students feel exam ready.

Exam Block Expectations

Students have been provided with:

A copy of the exam schedule which details the date, time and venue, including AARA venue, of each examination.
the protocols for the exam block.

Students in Year 10, 11 and 12 may work from home unless they have a scheduled examination or ongoing work requirements in Applied or Certificate courses.

Students in Year 7, 8 and 9 should bring a book or work that can be completed after the exam for the remainder of the scheduled class time.

Missed Exam Policy and Procedures

Submission of assessment by the advertised due date is an important obligation of students. Family holidays, non-urgent appointments, attendance at TAFE are not acceptable reasons to miss published examination periods. Unless special circumstances inhibit a student’s capacity to attend advertised examinations, student’s attendance is expected and compulsory.

Special circumstances include:

Illness (which is usually prolonged or significant). In Years 10, 11 and 12 illness applications must be supported by a medical certificate.
Misadventure – e.g. car accident on the way to school
Significant family upheaval – e.g. death in the family Suspension
An exam clash

In the event that an examination is missed as a result of illness, misadventure or significant family upheaval, the College will organise for examinations to be rescheduled at the earliest opportunity. In Year 11 and 12 this may include completion of ‘comparable assessment’ to ensure the integrity of examination conditions, as per QCAA requirements.

Examinations will not be rescheduled to accommodate non-urgent appointment or holidays. Students who fail to appear for examinations without meeting the requirements of ‘illness and misadventure’ will not receive a result and in Year 11 and 12 may lose QCE credit. To ensure absolute integrity of examination conditions for a maximum number of students, examinations will not be brought forward in any circumstances.

Parent and Carer Responsibilities

Parents and carers are asked to ensure that:

They engage with the published assessment schedules and examination calendars, ensuring the student’s availability for all examinations.
If absence during the time of an examination is known in advance, communication is made with the Head of Faculty and Head of House, so that necessary alternative arrangements can be made.
If illness or misadventure occurs on the day of the examination, contact should be made with the Deans via email or a phone call.
- For Year 10, 11 and 12 Mrs Pacey pacek@staff.mta.qld.edu.au
- For Year 7, 8 and 9 Mrs Nicolas nicov@staff.mta.qld.edu.au
Appropriate documentation accompanies missed assessment. This should include:
- A letter from home for all year levels, signed and dated.
- A medical certificate (compulsory for Year 10, 11 and 12 students)

Mrs Victoria Nicolas - Dean of Middle Years

Mrs Kate Pacey - Dean of Senior Years