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VCE - Students 'At Risk'

Satisfactory Completion of a VCE Unit

A student is awarded a Satisfactory result (S) for a VCE Unit when they have demonstrated achievement of all outcomes as defined in the relevant VCAA Study Design. Teachers determine this by reviewing the student’s performance across the designated coursework and assessment tasks for the unit.

 

An ‘S’ result is awarded when the student’s work:

  • demonstrates the required knowledge and skills for each outcome.
  • can be authenticated as their own.

 

The S/N decision is separate from the student’s level of achievement or SAC/SAT score.

 

Students may be identified as ‘At Risk’ of receiving an ‘N’ result when they are not meeting key expectations, including:

  • Maintaining attendance in line with school and VCAA requirements (90%)
  • Completing classwork and homework
  • Demonstrating required knowledge and skills in submitted work
  • Meeting deadlines for coursework, SACs, and SATs
  • Satisfying authentication requirements
  • Showing sufficient understanding of the outcome through coursework assessed work

 

Compass notifications (Letters of Concern, GPA reports and end of Semester reports) are used to formally communicate a student’s ‘At Risk’ status to families.

Unsatisfactory Completion of a VCE Unit

A student may receive an ‘N’ result (Not Satisfactory) for a unit if they do not meet one or more outcomes. Reasons may include:

  • Work does not meet the required outcome standards
  • Coursework or a SAC/SAT is not attempted or submitted by the due date without approved exceptional circumstances
  • A school deadline is missed, including deadlines where an extension has been granted
  • Work cannot be authenticated
  • A significant breach of VCAA or school rules (including attendance [less than 90%]) prevents satisfactory completion

 

Students who need to redeem more than one SAC per subject per unit must work with their teacher and the Senior School Team to establish an improvement plan. An opportunity to redeem is required when a student scores below 40% on the original SAC. Students must be given a minimum of two opportunities to redeem their work and demonstrate the required outcomes before an ‘N’ result can be awarded.

 

Students are responsible for ensuring they meet all eligibility requirements. An ‘N’ result can have serious implications for progression [see Progression Policy] and pathways.

Process for Students Identified as ‘At Risk’

When a teacher believes a student is at risk of not meeting an outcome:

  1. A Letter of Concern must be issued via Compass immediately.
  2. The Coordinator and Head of Year Level will be automatically notified.
  3. Any incomplete or missing work must be recorded on Compass to maintain accurate records.
  4. Ongoing concerns should be communicated to the Coordinator and Head of Year Level via email.

 

Before an ‘N’ result can be issued on the end‑of‑semester report or reported to VCAA, the student must first be identified as ‘At Risk’ in the termly GPA report. If concerns arise after the GPA period such as ongoing difficulty in meeting outcomes later in the semester, the classroom teacher may involve the relevant Head of Year Level, but an ‘N’ cannot be issued unless the student has been formally identified as ‘At Risk’. In these cases, the student will be supported through additional monitoring and communication to help them work toward achieving the ‘S’ result. Teachers may also consult with their KLA Leader to support moderation and ensure consistent decision‑making. Heads of Year Level will follow up on all ‘N’ results with families.

Appealing an Unsatisfactory Result

Students may lodge an appeal where they believe the result was awarded in error or without full consideration of relevant circumstances. An appeal may be submitted when a student believes the ‘N’ result was issued due to one of the following:

  • Failure to meet a deadline including situations where an extension was approved
  • A determination that attendance requirements were not met
  • A judgement that the required proportion of coursework was not completed
  • A finding that the work could not be authenticated

 

Appeal Process

  1. The student must submit a written appeal to the Senior School Team within five school days of receiving the ‘N’ result.
  2. The Senior School Principal will convene an appeals panel (Senior School Principal, the relevant Head of a Year Level, and a subject teacher not involved in the original decision).
  3. The panel will review all documentation and may interview the student.
  4. The student will receive at least 24 hours’ notice of the interview and may bring a support person.
  5. The outcome is provided in writing within 5 school days.
  6. Once an appeal is lodged, any relevant work must be submitted to the Senior School Team rather than the classroom teacher.

 

Grounds for Appeal (aligned with VCAA Guidelines)

Students may appeal on the basis of:

  • Illness: Medical certificate confirming inability to complete or attempt the task
  • Major illness or bereavement in the family: Supporting documentation required.
  • Extenuating circumstances: Significant events impacting the student’s ability to meet assessment requirements, supported by a statement from Wellbeing or an external professional.

 

All documentation must be submitted within five school days of receiving the N notification.

 

Students must continue attending Units 1 and 2 classes while an appeal or review is underway. Students who receive an N for a Unit 3 or 4 subject will not continue in that class and will be assigned study periods.

 

The Senior School Team maintains records of all ‘N’ results. Students with multiple ‘N’ results may be referred to the Careers and Pathways Coordinator to explore alternative options.

 

In some cases, a panel (Head of Year Level, KLA Leader and another subject teacher) may review evidence to determine whether an ‘S’ result can be awarded. This applies only where sufficient work exists to make a judgement.

J Results

A 'J' result is applied when a student effectively stops engaging in a VCE unit but hasn’t formally withdrawn through the required VASS exit process. If the school hasn’t received a signed withdrawal form, the system records the student with a 'J.'

 

This outcome is used when a student:

  • is no longer participating in classes, and
  • has not completed or submitted the required assessment tasks.

 

Although the 'J' result is stored in the VCAA records, it does not appear on the student’s official Statement of Results. However, the information is still passed on to VTAC, where a 'J' is treated the same way as an 'N' result for tertiary selection purposes.