Curriculum & Data

Assessments and Absences

With Term 1 nearing a conclusion, all students would have been busy completing assessment tasks the last few weeks. I would just like to remind everyone regarding assessment tasks and student absence due to illness. 

As I explained at the Parent Information evenings, we do not want students coming to school to sit assessment tasks if they are unwell.

What do students need to do if they are unwell on the day of an assessment task?

Submissions of tasks (hand-in tasks)

• If it is a hand in task, they must be submitted on the due date- even if the students is absent due to illness on the day of the submission. The only reason it would not be submitted on the due date, is if the task cannot be electronically uploaded- for example an artwork. 
• All tasks are to be completed and submitted by the specific date and time on the Assessment notification. (most tasks state an 8.45 am submission- any task submitted after this time will incur a penalty)
• The consequences for a late submission is a reduction in the final mark. For students in Years 7-9, the penalties are:

• For students in Years 10-12, the penalties are:

Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays are considered as each being one day.

What happens if a student is having trouble getting their task completed on time? 

If a student is having trouble getting their task completed on time, it is up to them to see their class teacher at least one week before the task is due. They should print out and complete the Illness/Misadventure/Special Consideration Form and submit it to the class teacher and Head of Department. After discussion with the class teacher and Head of Department, the student may be granted an extension if appropriate. 

What happens if I am away or sick on the day a task is due? (In class tasks)

Students in Years 7-9 are to:

• Ensure that a parent or guardian telephones or emails the College on the day of their absence to advise the Pastoral Care Coordinator and the relevant Head of Department of your absence
• Print a copy of the Illness/Misadventure/Special Consideration Form from the Compass site.
• Provide the medical certificate or written documentation from a parent to the class teacher/Head of Department on the next school day

Students in Years10-12 are to:

• Do the above but also provide the medical certificate to the class teacher/Head of Department on the next school day
• It is expected that a student who has been absent from an assessment task be ready to complete that task in the next available Missed Assessment Session. This Missed Assessment Session will take place weekly on Wednesday afternoons between 3:15pm and 4:15pm. Should a student be added to the Missed Assessment Session, parents will be notified via Compass. It is expected that the student attends this session promptly and with the materials required to complete the task. 
• The College has the right to request a doctor’s certificate (Years 7-9) when a student has shown a pattern of absences.

Students in Year 11 and 12: Absence from the College prior to the due date or partial absence on the due date.

Unless otherwise stated it is assumed that all students will be present at the College prior to the due date and by 8.45am on the day that an assessment task is due. It may be considered that a student has received an unfair advantage if they are late for school on the day a task is due or are absent from school prior to the due date. If a student is absent the day before or the morning of a task- they must complete an Illness and Misadventure form with an attached Dr certificate. (If a student is absent on a Friday and a task is due or the test is on a Monday, students must also produce a Doctor's Certificate  to explain the absence). if a student does not have a valid reason and documentation for their absence, they will incur a penalty, as previously stated. 

From our mistakes, we learn.

As educators, we do not hold onto our students’ mistakes, students are meant to make mistakes and learn from them.

Students, as they get older, will face complex challenges and find themselves in more complex situations, they will make mistakes, in fact, they need to make mistakes. As students get older, our expectations of their behaviour will continue to change. We will expect more from them. It also means that we will talk to her about accountability and the importance of consequences. Otherwise, how will they learn?

As teachers, we do not define the student by their mistakes or bumps along the way. Instead, we discuss with them their capacity to create change and create new beginnings.

Allowing students to make mistakes is an effective way to improve their problem solving and critical thinking skills. When they are wrong, they have to try to think of another answer or solution that will rectify this mistake.

So, while nobody enjoys making mistakes, especially in front of others, it is beneficial for students and teachers to normalise them and remove the stigma around getting it wrong. 

It is important to know that one of the best ways to learn is from our mistakes.

Trish Smith

Director of Curriculum & Data