Leader of Curriculum News

Minimum Standards

Minimum Standards have been introduced by NESA as a requirement for all students to complete to receive a Higher School Certificate credential. With this in mind, it is important that all students are informed of the process and provided with every opportunity to reach this standard.

The Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) divides the standards into 4 levels. 

Students must reach a minimum of level 3 to have the basic Reading, Writing and Numeracy skills needed for everyday life.

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.

Each test is 45 minutes in length 

• The Reading Test involves 45 multiple choice questions
  • Adaptive — meaning it tailors to a student's ability. Questions become harder or easier depending on whether a student is answering questions correctly or incorrectly.
  • Marked electronically according to the achievement level descriptions
• The Numeracy Test involves 45 multiple choice questions
  • Adaptive — meaning it tailors to student's ability. Questions become harder or easier depending on whether a student is answering questions correctly or incorrectly.
  • Marked electronically according to the achievement level descriptions
• The Writing Test is based on a prompt
  • One question based on a visual or text prompt with up to a 500 word-response
  • Marked by trained markers according to the achievement level descriptions and the following, equally weighted, criteria: relevance of writing to the topic; structure and sequence of ideas and control of language

Students can sit the tests in:

• Year 10   (2 attempts)
• Year 11   (2 attempts)
• Year 12   (2 attempts)
• You then have a further 3 years to pass the tests after the HSC

Once you have reached level 3 in any test, you DO NOT need to sit that test again.

All students, regardless of whether they have met the HSC minimum standard, can:

• Study HSC courses
• Sit HSC exams
• Receive HSC results
• Get an ATAR
• Receive the RoSA credential

Year 11

For Year 11 and 12 students who are yet to complete the Minimum Standards in one or more of the tests in Reading, Writing or Numeracy, I will providing an opportunity on the following dates:

Wednesday 16th June Period 1 – Reading

Thursday 17th June Period 1 – Writing

Friday 18th June Period 1 – Numeracy

All students concerned have been informed of these dates. It is extremely important that all students are present on time for these tests.

Year 10 Students

All year 10 students will be provided with the opportunity in Week 8 to sit a practice test for each of the standards. These practice tests, followed by the actual tests, will be conducted on the following days:

                Practise Tests (Hall):

• Wednesday 9/6
  • Period 1 Reading (15 mins) / Numeracy (15 mins)
  • Thursday 10/6
    • Period 2 Writing

            Minimum Standards Tests (Hall):

• Wednesday 16/6
  • Period 1 Reading
  • Thursday 17/6
    • Period 1 Writing
  • Friday 18/6
    • Period 1 Numeracy

Students can prepare for these tests and obtain more information about them by visiting the following links:

• Students can follow the link on the NESA website:
  • http://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/11-12/hsc/hsc-minimum-standard
  • Select the link at the bottom of the page:
    • What to expect in the tests
  • Then select the links:
    • View sample questions and answers
    • Take a demonstration test

It is important that all students are present on these days, as students will not be given another opportunity to complete these standards till Term 4. We will then continue to provide two opportunities each year for those students who were absent or have not yet met one or more of the standards.

Year 10 2021 into Year 11 2022 Subject Selections

The year 10 into year 11 subject selection process will commence in August. This is an important time for year 10 students to think, discuss and research a number of pathways available to them. 

During term 3 students will be involved in the following Information Sessions:

– KLA Information Sessions 

– Information Night for parents and students

– Year 10 students and parents Interview Day at Marian Catholic College

– Opportunities to book an interview with the careers advisor Mrs Farrugia 

Students and parents will also be able to access video presentations of the following:

• NESA Requirements
• ATAR Requirements
• VET pathways
• All Stage 6 courses offered at Marian Catholic College

Mr John Seers

Leader of Curriculum